How to Transcribe Audio to Text for Free
Upload a file, or dictate as you listen. Here is what each free way can do.
To transcribe an audio file for free, upload it to a tool with a free plan, such as Fireflies, Otter or Notta. If you pay for Microsoft 365, Word transcribes up to 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month. Google Docs voice typing is free, but it listens to your microphone, so it cannot take a file.
Checked November 2026 on each tool's own site.
Free ways to transcribe audio
| Way | Limit | Takes a file? |
|---|---|---|
| Fireflies free plan | 400 minutes of storage per team | Yes, audio and video |
| Otter free plan | 3 file imports in total, up to 30 minutes per conversation | Yes, audio and video |
| Notta free plan | 120 minutes a month, up to 3 minutes per conversation, 50 uploads a month | Yes |
| Sonix trial | 30 minutes, no credit card | Yes |
| Microsoft Word Transcribe | 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month, needs a Microsoft 365 subscription | Yes: .wav, .mp4, .m4a, .mp3 |
| Google Docs voice typing | Free, in Chrome, Edge or Safari | No, microphone only |
| oTranscribe | Free, but you type the words yourself. Your audio stays on your computer | Yes |
Transcribe a file with a tool's free plan
- Check the limit in the table, and pick a tool that fits your file
- Create an account, and upload the audio file
- Wait for the transcript, then read it against the audio
- Fix names and numbers, then copy or export the text
Transcribe a file in Microsoft Word
- Go to Home, open the Dictate menu and select Transcribe
- In the Transcribe pane, select Upload audio
- Choose a .wav, .mp4, .m4a or .mp3 file
- Keep the pane open until it finishes, which can take about as long as the audio
- Edit the transcript, then add it to your document
Microsoft lists this for Word for Microsoft 365 and Word for the web. Your recordings are saved in a Transcribed Files folder on OneDrive.
Dictate with Google Docs voice typing
- Open a document in Chrome, Edge or Safari
- Turn on your microphone
- Select Tools, then Voice typing
- Click the microphone and speak clearly
How can I transcribe audio to text for free?
Upload your file to a tool with a free plan, and check its limit first. Fireflies, Otter and Notta all take files on their free plans. For a short file, Sonix has a 30-minute trial.
Can Google Docs transcribe an audio file?
No. Voice typing listens to your microphone, and Google's help page lists no way to upload a file. You can dictate what you hear, or use a tool that takes files.
Can Microsoft Word transcribe audio?
Yes, with a Microsoft 365 subscription. You can upload up to 300 minutes of audio a month, or record directly in Word. It separates speakers and adds time stamps.
What is the best free transcriber?
We found no independent ranking, and we ran no tests. It depends on your file. Notta's free plan stops at 3 minutes per conversation, and Otter's at 30, so long files need another way.
Can I transcribe audio without uploading it?
Yes. With oTranscribe your audio stays on your computer, but you type the words yourself. Every automatic tool on this page sends the audio to its servers or to your browser's speech service.