Best AI to transcribe audio to text (free)
Turn recordings, calls and voice notes into text — the best free AI transcription tools.
Updated 2026-05-30
Key takeaways
- Otter is strong for live and uploaded transcription with a free tier.
- Descript transcribes and lets you edit audio by editing text.
- Fathom/Fireflies transcribe meetings free with summaries.
The best free AI to transcribe audio is Otter for general recordings and live transcription, or Descript if you also want to edit the audio by editing the transcript. For meetings specifically, Fathom and Fireflies transcribe and summarize on free plans.
Otter — general transcription
Otter transcribes uploaded files and live audio, with speaker labels and a free tier — good for interviews, lectures and notes.
Descript — transcribe + edit
Descript transcribes audio and lets you edit the recording by editing the text, plus remove filler words — ideal for podcasts.
Fathom / Fireflies — meetings
For calls, Fathom and Fireflies auto-transcribe and summarize with generous free plans.
Tools mentioned
Otter.ai
Live transcription and AI meeting summaries with a chat assistant.
Descript
Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript like a doc.
Fathom
Free AI notetaker that summarizes calls in seconds.
Fireflies.ai
AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes meetings.
Related guides
How to choose an AI writing tool in 2026
A practical framework for picking an AI writer — by use case, budget and how much editing you're willing to do.
ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini: which AI assistant should you use?
The three leading AI assistants compared on writing, coding, research and ecosystem — and who each one is best for.
The best genuinely free AI tools in 2026
AI tools with free tiers that are actually useful — not just trials — across chat, images, writing, video and meetings.
FAQ
What is the best free AI transcription tool?
Otter for general audio, Descript if you also want to edit it, and Fathom/Fireflies for meetings — all have free tiers.
Can AI transcribe an uploaded audio file?
Yes — Otter and Descript let you upload recordings and get an accurate text transcript.