Free and open first

Best Podcast Transcription Software in 2026

Podcast transcription software turns recorded speech into text for review, search, editing, or caption workflows. Compare transcription languages and speaker labels, then check whether the transcript editor and caption export match how you prepare recordings for use. Monthly transcription and a searchable library offer further points to weigh when handling ongoing projects or finding older material. The comparison also includes free-plan availability and paid-from pricing. Simon Says, Happy Scribe, and OpenWhispr are among the entries to consider. Use the listed language support, editing, and export details to decide which capabilities align with your podcast workflow, and check the stated monthly allowance and pricing before choosing.

25 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

mercuryScribe

Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

mercuryScribe offers local transcription, speaker distinction, transcript editing, and several output formats without a software charge.

9.1 Free plan Visit site
2

AssemblyAI

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

AssemblyAI offers a broad set of speech capabilities and usage-based plans, with a free tier subject to stated limits.

7.5 From $0.15 Visit site
3

AudioPod AI

Free plan APIiPhoneWeb

AudioPod AI covers several audio creation and editing tasks, with document-based podcast and audiobook workflows alongside developer access.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $20/mo Visit site
4

Happy Scribe

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Happy Scribe combines transcription, translation, meeting connections, and AI-assisted tools, with support for individual and team workflows.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
5

OpenWhispr

Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+1

OpenWhispr combines cross-app dictation with meeting transcription and structured notes.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $6.67/user/mo (annual) Visit site
6

Pepys

Free plan APIExtensionWeb

Pepys combines transcription, transcript search, AI-assisted analysis and multiple export formats.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $12.50 Visit site
7

ElevenLabs
by ElevenLabs
Free plan APIWeb

7.2 Free plan · paid from $6/mo Visit site
8

Rev

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Rev brings transcription, captions, recording, and file analysis into one platform. The Free plan is limited in language, monthly minutes, user count, and simultaneous files.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $25.49/user/mo (annual) Visit site
9

Simon Says
by Simon Says
Free plan ExtensioniPhoneMac+3

Choose Simon Says if you need multilingual transcription with transcript editing and exports to video, document, or subtitle formats.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $15/user/mo (annual) Visit site
10

Speechmatics

Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Speechmatics offers speech APIs with multilingual transcription and multiple deployment choices. Its free plan has a two-session real-time limit, and the available deployment options depend on plan.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $0.13 Visit site
11

Podsqueeze

Free plan APIWeb

Choose Podsqueeze if you want to convert podcast episodes into transcripts, show notes and several promotional formats in one service.

7.0 From $8.99/mo Visit site
12

SkyScribe

Free plan APIExtensionWeb

Choose SkyScribe if you need transcription, translation, transcript editing, or structured takeaways from recordings.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $25/mo Visit site
13

Transkriptor

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Choose Transkriptor if you need transcription or translation with speaker identification, timestamps, and broad language support.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $9.99/mo Visit site
14

Whipscribe

Free plan APIExtensionMac+1

Whipscribe combines transcript creation with search, summaries, chat, and several export formats. Check its URL eligibility rules and retention periods if those affect your workflow.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $2 Visit site
15

Swell AI

Free plan APIWeb

Choose Swell AI if you want to turn audio or video into transcripts and a broad set of podcast content, with show-level organization and sharing options.

6.8 Free plan · paid from $17/mo Visit site
16

Podlog

Free plan Self-hostedWeb

Choose Podlog if you want a self-hosted podcast transcript library with hybrid search, speaker analysis, and cited AI answers.

6.7 Open source Visit site
17

Transcribe.so

Free plan APIWeb

Choose Transcribe.so if you need searchable transcripts with speaker labels, timestamps, cited Q&A, and subtitle exports.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $9/mo Visit site
18

Transcript.so

Free plan Web

Choose Transcript.so if you want searchable transcripts, replayable text, and multiple transcript or subtitle export formats in a web service.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $10/mo (annual) Visit site
19

Castmagic

Paid APIiPhoneWeb

Castmagic combines transcription with tools for turning recordings into written, visual and social content.

5.9 From $19/mo (annual) Visit site
20

Amberscript
by Amberscript
Paid API

Amberscript offers API-based transcription and subtitles, with automated and human-service options.

5.7 From €10 Visit site
21

Deepgram Aura
by Deepgram Aura
Paid API

Deepgram Aura provides API-based text-to-speech with multiple audio outputs and related calling capabilities. Its single-language support and lack of a free plan are important considerations.

5.5 Visit site
22

Trint
by Trint
Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Trint combines transcription, editing, translation, collaboration, and publishing across desktop, mobile, and web. Its trial limits and enterprise-only live features matter when evaluating access.

5.5 7-day trial Visit site
23

Perceptive Vision Podcast Transcription

Paid Web

Perceptive Vision offers one-time podcast transcription with broad input support and subtitle exports. Its per-minute fee, limited download period, and lack of a free plan should be considered.

5.3 From $0.50 Visit site
24

Postcrest

Paid Web

Postcrest brings multiple AI media tools and social scheduling into one platform, with credit allowances varying by plan.

5.2 From $15/mo (annual) Visit site
25

Sonix
by Sonix
Paid API

Sonix combines multilingual transcription and translation with speaker identification, timestamps, and several export formats.

5.1 From $10 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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