Audio to text — Free transcription tool
Convert audio or video to text for free — upload common formats and download a TXT or SRT transcript in minutes.
Built for teams that want transcripts to turn into reusable, searchable assets.
Audio to text — Free transcription tool
_Updated May 2026._
Convert audio or video to text for free in your browser. Upload common file types like MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, or WEBM, choose a speed or quality setting, and download a transcript as TXT or SRT. The free tier uses self‑hosted Whisper‑based models (via faster‑whisper), which work well for short, clear recordings. You can try it immediately, then decide if you need advanced features like speaker identification, richer exports, or AI summaries.
Start transcribing →
Try it now
You can use the free transcription flow without installing anything or setting up software. The process is simple, but there is one important step people often miss: after uploading, you must click “Start transcription” to begin processing.
Upload your file, confirm the job, and wait for processing to complete. Short files often finish quickly, while longer ones may run in a queue depending on system load. Once done, you can review the transcript, make quick edits, and download it.
Here is what the basic flow looks like:
- Upload an audio or video file
- Select speed vs quality (free tier option)
- Click “Start transcription” to begin processing
- Wait for completion (short files finish faster)
- Review and edit the transcript in-browser
- Download as TXT or SRT
This flow is intentionally lightweight so you can get usable text without committing to a paid plan. If you need more control later, you can upgrade without changing tools.
What you can do right now
The free tool is designed for quick, practical transcription. It focuses on getting you from audio to readable text with minimal friction, while still giving you basic control over output.
You can upload a file, let the system detect the language automatically, and receive a transcript you can edit and export. For many simple use cases—like lectures, voice notes, or short interviews—this is enough.
Here are the core things you can do on the free tier:
- Upload audio or video files directly in your browser
- Transcribe speech into text using automatic language detection (100+ languages supported)
- Choose between faster processing or higher accuracy modes
- Edit the transcript before downloading
- Export your transcript as TXT or SRT
- Retry or cancel a transcription job if needed
The output is designed to be usable immediately. TXT works for reading and editing, while SRT is ready for subtitles or captions in video tools.
How the free flow works
The free transcription experience is powered by self-hosted speech recognition models based on Whisper architecture, specifically routed through faster‑whisper. This setup balances accessibility and cost, which is why it’s available without payment.
When you upload a file, it is sent through a processing queue. Short jobs are often handled quickly, but longer or high-demand periods can introduce wait times. The system processes jobs asynchronously, meaning you don’t need to keep the page active the entire time.
You also have a choice between speed and quality modes. Speed mode prioritizes faster turnaround, which is useful for rough drafts. Quality mode takes longer but generally produces more accurate transcripts, especially for clearer recordings.
A few important details about how this works:
- Free tier uses self-hosted Whisper-based models via faster‑whisper
- Jobs are processed asynchronously through a queue system
- You must manually start transcription after upload
- Speed vs quality setting affects turnaround and output quality
- Long files may take longer or be queued during busy periods
This architecture keeps the tool accessible while still delivering solid results for everyday use.
Supported formats & outputs
The tool supports a wide range of common audio and video formats, so you can upload files without converting them first. This is especially useful if you are working with recordings from different devices or editing tools.
On the free tier, export options are intentionally simple. You get the most widely used formats for text and captions, without overwhelming you with advanced settings.
Supported input formats include:
- AAC
- FLAC
- M4A
- MP3
- MP4
- MPEG / MPGA
- OGG
- WAV
- WEBM
Free export formats:
- TXT (plain text transcript)
- SRT (subtitle format with timestamps)
Free exports may include a watermark. Paid plans remove this and get additional formats such as DOCX, VTT, and structured JSON.
Where free workflows usually break
Free transcription tools are useful, but they are not designed for every scenario. Understanding the limitations upfront helps you avoid frustration and decide when to upgrade.
The most common issue is audio quality. Speech recognition systems perform best on clean, well-recorded audio. Background noise, overlapping speakers, or low-quality microphones can reduce accuracy.
Long files are another friction point. While you can upload longer recordings, they may take significantly longer to process or sit in a queue. This can slow down workflows if you are working under time pressure.
Here are typical failure scenarios to be aware of:
- Noisy recordings with background chatter or music
- Multiple speakers without clear separation (no diarization on free tier)
- Very long files that queue or process slowly
- Heavy accents or unclear speech reducing accuracy
- Expectation of word-level timestamps (not included in free exports)
For example, a clean 5-minute voice memo will usually produce a strong transcript. A 45-minute panel discussion with cross-talk will be less reliable and harder to format without paid features.
When to upgrade
If you find yourself editing heavily, waiting on long jobs, or needing structured output, that is usually the signal to upgrade. Paid plans are designed for more consistent, production-ready workflows.
Upgrading moves transcription to higher-tier processing routes and adds features that reduce manual work. This is especially helpful for teams, content creators, and frequent users.
You should consider upgrading if you need:
- Speaker identification (diarization) for interviews or meetings
- More export formats like DOCX, VTT, or JSON
- Batch processing for multiple files
- Faster and more consistent handling of long recordings
- AI-powered summaries or structured outputs
- Watermark-free exports
Paid plans use more advanced routing, including ElevenLabs Scribe, which supports features like diarization and improved handling of complex audio.
You can explore full details here:
- View pricing → /pricing
- See all features → /features
If you are evaluating tools, the free version is enough to test accuracy and workflow fit before committing.
Privacy & data handling
Your files are processed securely through Wisprs transcription infrastructure. Audio is uploaded, processed, and returned as text, with job handling managed through asynchronous systems.
Because processing involves queued jobs and compute resources, files are temporarily stored during transcription. You retain control over your content within the product, including the ability to manage or delete transcripts.
For full details on how data is handled, stored, and retained, refer to the privacy policy. This will outline current practices and any plan-specific differences.
- Privacy policy → (link to site policy)
Related on Wisprs
FAQ
Q: Is this really free?
Yes, you can upload files and generate transcripts without paying. The free tier includes TXT and SRT exports, but may include a watermark and has limitations on advanced features.
Q: What file types can I upload?
You can upload common formats including MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, OGG, WEBM, AAC, FLAC, MPEG, and MPGA. No conversion is required before uploading.
Q: How accurate is the transcription?
Accuracy depends on the recording. Clear audio with minimal background noise performs well. Noisy environments, multiple speakers, or unclear speech can reduce accuracy.
Q: Does the free version support speaker identification?
No. Speaker identification (diarization) is only available on paid plans. Free transcripts will not label speakers.
Q: Can I transcribe long files?
You can upload longer files, but they may take longer to process or be queued. For consistent handling of long recordings, paid plans are more reliable.
Q: What formats can I export?
On the free tier, you can export transcripts as TXT or SRT. Additional formats like DOCX, VTT, and JSON are available on paid plans.
Q: Do I need to install anything?
No. The tool runs entirely in your browser. You just upload your file and start transcription.
Q: Can I edit the transcript?
Yes. You can review and edit the transcript before downloading it. This is useful for fixing small errors or formatting.
Q: Is there real-time transcription?
Yes, real-time transcription is supported in the product via streaming, though most users on this page will use file uploads.
Start transcribing for free
You can get a usable transcript in minutes without paying or installing anything. Upload your file, click start, and download your results.
Start transcribing →
If you need more control, cleaner outputs, or team workflows:
- View pricing → /pricing
- Explore features → /features
- Learn more → /blog/audio-transcription-guide
The free tool is meant to be genuinely useful on its own. When you outgrow it, the upgrade path is there without changing your workflow.