How to Transcribe Audio for Free in 2026 (5 Methods)
To transcribe audio for free, use NovaScribe's free trial (30 minutes), Otter.ai's free tier (300 minutes/month), or Google Docs voice typing for real-time transcription. This guide covers 5 methods with step-by-step instructions, pros/cons, and tips for getting accurate results.
Editor's Note: NovaScribe is our product. We include Otter.ai's free tier as the best option for most free minutes (300/month) and Google Docs for unlimited real-time use. Our goal is helping you find the right free method for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- •Best for quality: NovaScribe free trial — 30 minutes, 96% accuracy, speaker detection
- •Most free minutes: Otter.ai — 300 minutes/month on free plan
- •No signup required: Google Docs voice typing — unlimited but real-time only
- •On mobile: iPhone Voice Memos or Android Recorder — built-in and free
Table of Contents
Who This Guide Is For (and Not For)
This guide is for you if:
- ✓You have occasional transcription needs (a few files per month)
- ✓You're a student, hobbyist, or testing transcription tools
- ✓You want to transcribe short recordings (under 30-60 minutes)
This guide is NOT for you if:
- ✗You need regular/professional transcription (consider paid plans from $2/mo)
- ✗You need bulk transcription (hours of audio per week)
- ✗You need multi-language support beyond English
1. NovaScribe Free Trial (Best Quality)
Free allowance: 30 minutes | No credit card required
NovaScribe offers 30 free minutes of AI transcription when you sign up. Unlike some free tiers that limit features, the free trial includes speaker detection, timestamps, 99 languages, and all export formats (TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT).
How to use NovaScribe free:
- Go to novascribe.ai/register
- Create a free account (no credit card needed)
- Upload your audio or video file (MP3, WAV, MP4, etc.)
- Wait 5-10 minutes for processing
- Download your transcript in any format
Pro tip: Use your 30 free minutes for your most important recordings. A 30-minute interview or half-hour podcast episode fits perfectly within the free tier.
Pros
- • 96% accuracy for clear audio
- • Speaker detection included
- • 99 languages supported
- • No credit card required
Cons
- • Limited to 30 minutes total
- • Requires account signup
- • No live transcription
2. Otter.ai Free Tier (Most Minutes)
Free allowance: 300 minutes/month | Account required
Otter.ai offers the most generous free tier at 300 minutes per month. It's designed for meeting transcription with real-time capabilities and Zoom integration. However, it only supports 3 languages (English, French, Spanish).
How to use Otter.ai free:
- Sign up at otter.ai
- Upload your audio file or use live transcription
- Edit transcript in the browser
- Export as TXT or share via link
Pros
- • 300 minutes/month free
- • Live transcription available
- • Zoom integration
- • Good for meetings
Cons
- • Only 3 languages
- • 40-minute limit per conversation
- • Limited export options on free
3. Google Docs Voice Typing (No Signup)
Free allowance: Unlimited | Real-time only
Google Docs has a built-in voice typing feature that transcribes speech in real-time. It's completely free with no limits, but you need to play audio through your speakers while it listens through your microphone—not ideal for pre-recorded files.
How to use Google Docs voice typing:
- Open a new Google Doc
- Go to Tools → Voice typing (or Ctrl+Shift+S)
- Click the microphone icon
- Play your audio file through speakers
- Google Docs transcribes what it hears
Workaround: Use a virtual audio cable (like VB-Cable) to route audio directly from your player to Google Docs without speakers. This improves accuracy but requires technical setup.
Pros
- • Completely free
- • No signup required
- • Works in browser
- • Many languages supported
Cons
- • Real-time only (not for files)
- • Requires speaker playback
- • No speaker detection
- • Lower accuracy
4. Phone Built-in Transcription (Mobile)
Free allowance: Unlimited | Works offline
Both iPhone and Android have built-in transcription features that work completely free and even offline. Great for transcribing voice memos or recordings made on your phone.
iPhone (iOS 17+):
- Open the Voice Memos app
- Record or select an existing memo
- Tap the waveform to see the transcript
- Copy text or search within transcripts
Android:
- Use Google Recorder app (Pixel) or Samsung Voice Recorder
- Record audio or import existing files
- View automatic transcript
- Search and export text
Pros
- • Completely free
- • Works offline
- • No app install needed (built-in)
- • Good for voice memos
Cons
- • Limited to phone recordings
- • Can't import external files easily
- • No speaker detection
- • Limited export options
5. Open-Source Whisper (Technical Users)
Free allowance: Unlimited | Requires technical setup
OpenAI's Whisper is the same AI that powers many transcription services (including NovaScribe). It's completely free and open-source, but requires Python and command line knowledge to run locally on your computer.
How to use Whisper:
# Install Whisper
pip install openai-whisper
# Transcribe a file
whisper audio.mp3 --model medium --language enPros
- • Completely free, no limits
- • High accuracy (same as paid tools)
- • 99 languages
- • Full privacy (runs locally)
Cons
- • Requires Python knowledge
- • Needs powerful computer (or GPU)
- • No user interface
- • No speaker detection by default
Quick Comparison Table
| Method | Free Amount | File Upload | Accuracy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NovaScribe | 30 min (one-time) | Yes | ~96% | Quality + features |
| Otter.ai | 300 min/month | Yes | ~92% | English meetings |
| Google Docs | Unlimited | No* | ~85% | Real-time dictation |
| Phone Built-in | Unlimited | No* | ~85% | Voice memos |
| Whisper | Unlimited | Yes | ~96% | Technical users |
* Real-time only — must play audio through speakers while tool listens. Accuracy estimates based on clear English audio.
Pricing/limits verified (January 2026):
Best Free Method by Use Case
Best for Students
Otter.ai Free Tier — 300 minutes/month covers lecture recordings. Real-time note-taking during class.
Best for Podcasters (Testing)
NovaScribe Free Trial — High quality, speaker detection, SRT export for YouTube. 30 min covers a test episode.
Best for Quick Dictation
Google Docs Voice Typing — No signup, unlimited, works instantly in browser for notes and drafts.
Best for Privacy-Conscious Users
Whisper (Local) — Runs entirely on your computer. Audio never leaves your device.
Best for Mobile Voice Memos
Phone Built-in — iPhone Voice Memos or Android Recorder. Works offline, no app needed.
Tips for Better Transcription Accuracy
Use clear audio
Record in quiet environments. Background noise significantly reduces accuracy.
Speak clearly
Enunciate words and avoid mumbling. Consistent speaking pace helps AI accuracy.
Use a good microphone
External microphones capture clearer audio than built-in laptop mics.
Select the correct language
If the tool allows language selection, choose the right one instead of auto-detect.
Review and edit
No transcription is 100% accurate. Always proofread for names, technical terms, and numbers.
Need More Than Free?
If you regularly transcribe audio, a paid plan is more practical. NovaScribe starts at just $2/month for 200 minutes—that's 3+ hours of audio for less than a coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transcribe audio for free?
Yes. Several free options exist: NovaScribe offers 30 free minutes, Otter.ai provides 300 minutes/month free, Google Docs has built-in voice typing, and your phone's native transcription features work for short recordings. Each method has different limitations.
What is the best free transcription tool?
For occasional use, NovaScribe's free trial (30 minutes) or Otter.ai's free tier (300 minutes/month) are best. For real-time transcription, Google Docs voice typing works well. The best choice depends on your language needs, audio length, and accuracy requirements.
How accurate is free transcription?
AI transcription tools like NovaScribe achieve 90-95% accuracy for clear audio. Free tools using the same AI (like Whisper) provide similar accuracy. Accuracy drops with background noise, heavy accents, or technical terminology.
Can I transcribe a podcast episode for free?
Yes. A typical 1-hour podcast exceeds most free tiers, but you can transcribe shorter episodes. NovaScribe's free 30 minutes covers half-hour episodes. For longer podcasts, paid plans starting at $2/month are more practical.
Is there a completely free transcription service with no limits?
No reliable service offers unlimited free transcription. Google Docs voice typing is free but requires real-time playback. Open-source tools like Whisper are free but require technical setup. Most user-friendly services have free tiers with monthly limits.
How do I transcribe audio on my phone for free?
iPhone users can use the built-in Voice Memos transcription (iOS 17+). Android users can use Google's Live Transcribe or Recorder app. Both work offline and are completely free, though accuracy varies with audio quality.