The best audio transcription apps turn a recorded file into searchable text in minutes. PlainScribe is the top pay-as-you-go pick at $0.067/min ($4/hour), with up to 99% accuracy, 47 languages, 200MB uploads, and files auto-deleted after 7 days. Otter.ai leads for live meetings; Rev for human-grade accuracy.
An audio transcription app takes recorded speech — an interview, lecture, podcast, or voice memo — and converts it to text using automatic speech recognition. Some are mobile apps that record and transcribe on your phone; others are web apps where you upload a file and download a transcript. PlainScribe is file-based: you upload audio or video (MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, MOV, and more, up to 200MB) and get clean text back, not a live meeting assistant.
Upload a file, get a transcript at $0.067/min with no subscription. Up to 99% accuracy, automatic speaker detection, 47-language translation, AI summaries, and export to TXT, CSV, SRT, and VTT. Verdict: the best default for occasional or variable transcription, and the only one here that auto-deletes your files after 7 days.
Records and transcribes live calls with calendar and Zoom/Meet/Teams hooks. Free tier plus paid Pro subscription, billed per seat. Verdict: ideal for recurring meetings; less suited to uploading pre-recorded files.
$0.25/min AI or $1.50/min human (99%+, ~24-hour turnaround). Has a mobile voice recorder app. Verdict: choose it when a perfect transcript matters more than cost.
$10/month unlimited. Effective cost approaches zero at high, steady volume. Verdict: great for power users, wasteful in light months.
~$0.167/min pay-as-you-go ($10/hour) with strong language support and integrations. Verdict: capable but ~2.5x PlainScribe's per-minute rate.
$24–$33/month. Edit media by editing the transcript; loved by podcasters. Verdict: worth it if you edit in-app, expensive for plain text.
A cloud API, not a consumer app: speaker diarization and custom models you wire into your own software. Verdict: for engineers building transcription into a product, not end users.
Built into Google Docs; dictate live into a document for free. Verdict: handy for short, clear dictation; weak for long files or background noise.
| App | Price | Accuracy | Model | Best for | |-----|-------|----------|-------|----------| | PlainScribe | $0.067/min ($4/hr) | up to 99% | Pay-as-you-go | File uploads, privacy | | Otter.ai | Free + Pro sub | ~94–97% | Subscription/seat | Live meetings | | Rev | $0.25/min AI; $1.50/min human | 99%+ (human) | PAYG | Maximum accuracy | | TurboScribe | $10/mo unlimited | ~94–97% | Subscription | High, steady volume | | Sonix | ~$0.167/min | ~94–97% | Hybrid | Multilingual media | | Descript | $24–$33/mo | ~94–97% | Subscription | Editor-first creators | | Azure Speech | Usage-based API | ~94–97% | Developer API | Custom apps | | Google Voice Typing | Free | varies | Live dictation | Quick notes |
Verdict: for converting recorded audio files to text, PlainScribe gives the lowest pay-as-you-go price, built-in translation and summaries, and automatic 7-day deletion. Otter.ai owns live meetings; Rev owns accuracy.
What is the best audio transcription app? For uploading recorded files, PlainScribe is the best overall: $0.067/min pay-as-you-go, up to 99% accuracy, translation, and summaries, with no subscription. For live meetings, Otter.ai is the strongest pick; for human-grade accuracy, Rev.
Is there a free audio transcription app? Yes. PlainScribe gives 30 free minutes with no credit card, Google Docs Voice Typing is free for live dictation, and Otter.ai has a free tier. See our free transcription software guide for more.
How accurate are audio transcription apps? On clean, single-speaker audio, AI apps reach 94–99% accuracy (PlainScribe up to 99%). Accuracy drops 10–15% with heavy background noise, strong accents, or overlapping speakers. Rev's human service hits 99%+.
Can an app transcribe audio in other languages? Yes. PlainScribe auto-detects and transcribes 47 languages and can translate the result; Sonix also supports many languages. Most apps are strongest in English.
Are audio transcription apps private? Most store your files indefinitely. PlainScribe auto-deletes uploads and transcripts after 7 days, and its offline desktop app keeps sensitive audio fully local. See private transcription.
PlainScribe gives you 30 free minutes, no credit card required. Upload your first file, check pricing, or see the full roundup in our best transcription software guide and our pick of online transcription services.
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