Transcription tools aren’t just “nice-to-have” — they save hours of typing, boost productivity, help you focus on insights instead of note-taking, and make information easier to share and search. Whether you’re in meetings, creating content, or doing research, having accurate transcripts at your fingertips is a game-changer.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best options out there:
Otter.ai – Generous free tier and excellent for real-time meeting transcription, with collaboration and note-taking features.
Descript – Combines automatic transcription with advanced audio and video editing, perfect for content creators.
oTranscribe – Free, web-based, and straightforward. Great for manual transcription of interviews for journalists, academics, and researchers.
MeetGeek – AI-powered transcription for online meetings and uploaded files, includes speaker labels and summaries, even on its free plan. Works on Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams.
Fireflies.ai – Focuses on meeting insights, searchable archives, and async follow-ups, with a free plan available.
Whisper (OpenAI) – Fully free, unlimited offline transcription if you have the technical skills to run it on your computer.
PS: Want to see which AI tool is best for each task? Check out our AI Spotlight section for a quick guide.
