Best Transcription Software for Mac in 2025
Looking for the best transcription software for your Mac? We've tested the top tools to help you convert audio and video into text quickly and accurately.
You might also want to check out our guide on completely free transcription tools if you’re looking for budget-friendly options.
TL;DR: Our Top Picks
Based on our research, here are the top 9 transcription software for Mac:
Hyprnote: Unlimited local transcription with complete privacy - perfect for sensitive conversations
Rev: When accuracy absolutely matters, human transcription delivers 99%+ reliability
Sonix: Multi-language powerhouse for global teams and international content
Trint: Premium option for media professionals, but overkill for most users
Descript: Game-changing video editor that happens to transcribe - not just a transcription tool
Happy Scribe: Strong subtitle generation, but Descript does this plus much more
Otter AI: Meeting bot convenience with solid features, but privacy-conscious users should look elsewhere
Simon Says AI: Professional video production integration with steep learning curve
Voice Memos: Built-in convenience for basic needs, but limited to Apple Silicon Macs
Now, let’s look at detailed reviews of each of these tools.
Best Transcription Software for Mac
1. Hyprnote: Best for Privacy & Unlimited Local Transcription
Hyprnote is the only truly local-first transcription tool for Mac. While every other option sends your audio to cloud servers, Hyprnote processes everything on your device using on-device AI models. Not a single byte of your data leaves your Mac.
It works as both a real-time meeting assistant and a file transcription tool, combining transcripts with your manual notes to create perfect meeting summaries.
Available as:
Native Mac app (desktop application)
Top Features:
Real-time transcription using Whisper models (Tiny, Base, V3 Large Turbo)
Custom HyperLLM-V1 model for AI summaries (just 1.1GB, faster than alternatives)
Universal platform compatibility - works with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Slack, and any meeting platform without bots
Conversational search across all transcription history
Works completely offline - transcribe in Antarctica if you want
Export as Markdown, PDF, or Rich Text
Connect your own AI providers (OpenAI, Gemini, Ollama via LM Studio)
Open-source with full code transparency
Integrations with Obsidian and Attio
Pros:
Truly unlimited transcription forever - no monthly caps or per-minute charges
Complete data control
No meeting bots cluttering your calls
Works for both virtual and in-person meetings
Perfect for compliance-sensitive industries (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2)
Cons:
macOS only (requires Sonoma 14.2+, Windows coming soon)
Works best on M-series Macs (Intel-based Macs may have performance limitations)
Pricing:
Core features including unlimited AI summaries and transcription are free forever.
Pro is $8/month if you want unlimited AI chat and advanced search.
Enterprise pricing is custom for organizations needing on-premises deployment, SSO, consent management, custom branding, and dedicated support.
2. Rev: Best for Human Transcription Accuracy
Rev combines AI transcription with professional human transcription services, making it unique among transcription platforms. Their human transcriptionists deliver 99% accuracy, which is unmatched for critical documents where every word counts.
You upload files through their web platform or mobile app, and get transcripts back within minutes for AI or hours for human transcription.
Available as:
Web app, iOS/Android apps, browser-based (works on Mac via any browser)
Top Features:
Hybrid model: Choose between fast AI or 99%+ accurate human transcription
Interactive editor with synced audio playback
Speaker identification and labeling
Timestamping with customizable intervals
Rush service available for faster human transcription
Integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, Vimeo, YouTube
Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Custom vocabulary support
AI-powered summaries and chat features
Pros:
Very affordable AI transcription at $0.25/minute
Fast turnaround times (5 minutes for AI, 5-12 hours for human)
Excellent for mixed accents and noisy audio when using human service
No subscription required for pay-as-you-go
Cons:
AI transcription accuracy lags behind competitors like Sonix
Free tier is extremely limited (45 minutes total)
Mobile app has limited functionality compared to desktop
Struggles with non-American accents in AI mode
No on-premises option for enterprises (deal-breaker for some organizations)
Pricing:
Free tier gives you 45 minutes total (one-time, not recurring).
Paid plans start at $14.99/month for 20 hours, or you can pay-as-you-go at $0.25/minute for AI transcription and $1.99/minute for human transcription.
3. Sonix: Best for Multi-Language Teams
Sonix delivers fast, accurate AI transcription with exceptional multi-language support. Their platform transcribes audio in 53+ languages and translates transcripts into 54+ languages, making it ideal for international teams and global content creators.
Available as:
Web app (works in any Mac browser, best with Chrome)
Top Features:
Transcription in 53+ languages with high accuracy
Automated translation to 54+ languages
AI-powered analysis tools (summaries, themes, keywords)
AudioText Editor - edit audio by editing text
Automated subtitle generation with customization
Speaker identification and labeling
Custom vocabulary and glossary support
Integration with Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Zapier, Google Drive
Team collaboration with granular permissions
Searchable transcript library
Pros:
Exceptional multi-language support with cultural localization
Fast processing (transcribes at roughly 15x real-time speed)
Powerful editing interface with keyboard shortcuts
Strong security with bank-level encryption
Cons:
No native Mac app - browser-based only
Pricing structure is confusing with multiple tiers
Relatively expensive compared to alternatives
No mobile app for on-the-go transcription
Requires stable internet connection
Pricing:
30-minute free trial, then Standard pay-as-you-go at $10/hour. Premium subscription is $30/month per user plus $3/hour for transcription (includes 10 hours monthly), which is where most teams land for better value.
4. Trint: Best for Newsrooms & Media Professionals
Trint was built specifically for journalists and media organizations who need fast turnaround times and collaborative workflows. It excels at handling the chaos of news production with features designed for deadline-driven content creation.
The platform offers live transcription, translation to 50+ languages, and powerful collaboration tools for editorial teams.
Available as:
Web app, iOS/Android apps (works on Mac via browser)
Top Features:
Live transcription for real-time events
Transcription in 40+ languages, translation to 50+ languages
Collaborative editing with real-time teamwork features
AI-powered summaries and quote extraction
Integration with Adobe Premiere Pro, Zapier, MAM systems
Bulk upload and batch processing
Verification workflow for editorial standards
Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Custom workflows and approval processes
Pros:
Extremely fast processing for breaking news scenarios
Strong integration with professional video editing software
Handles diverse accents and dialects well
ISO 27001 certified security
Trusted by major media organizations (AFP, PBS NewsHour, San Francisco Chronicle)
Cons:
Very expensive ($80/month minimum)
Learning curve for advanced features
Cloud-based only (security concerns for some)
Limited customer support on lower tiers
Poor value if you don't need media-specific features
Pricing:
7-day free trial with up to 3 files, then plans start at $80/month. It's expensive, built for newsrooms with budgets to match.
5. Descript: Best for Podcast & Video Editing
Descript revolutionized content editing by letting you edit audio and video by editing text. It's not just a transcription tool - it's a complete production studio that happens to include incredibly powerful transcription features.
Available as:
Mac and Windows app, Web-based
Top Features:
Text-based audio and video editing
Overdub: AI voice cloning for corrections (type to add speech)
Studio Sound: Remove background noise and echo
Filler word removal (automatically delete "ums" and "ahs")
Multicam editing with automatic speaker detection
Screen recording with transcription
AI-powered social clips and templates
Integration with Premiere, Final Cut, YouTube, podcast platforms
Collaborative editing and commenting
Stock media library
Pros:
Makes video editing accessible to non-editors
Overdub feature saves re-recording time
Built-in podcast and video editing tools
Active development with frequent updates
Strong community and educational resources
Desktop apps for Mac and Windows
Cons:
Transcription accuracy is just okay (95% claimed, often needs cleanup)
Keeps filler words by default (requires extra step to remove)
More expensive than pure transcription tools
Loading can be slow, especially on older Macs
No mobile apps
Pricing:
Free plan offers 1 hour/month with watermarked exports. Paid plans start at $24/month for hobbyists, going up to $65/month for business features.
6. Happy Scribe: Best for Subtitles & Captions
Happy Scribe focuses on making video content accessible through excellent subtitle and caption generation. While it offers standard transcription, its strength lies in creating perfectly-timed, customizable subtitles in 120+ languages.
The platform offers both AI and human transcription services.
Available as:
Web app (works on Mac via browser)
Top Features:
Automatic subtitles in 120+ languages
Translation to 120+ languages
Hardcoded subtitles (burned into video)
Interactive editor with audio sync
AI notetaker for meetings (Google Meet, Teams, Zoom)
Speaker identification
Custom glossaries and style guides
Export in 40+ formats (SRT, VTT, MP4, TXT, DOCX, PDF)
Integration with Vimeo, YouTube, Google Drive, Zapier
GDPR compliant and SOC 2 certified
Pros:
Excellent subtitle timing and formatting
Very easy-to-use interface
85%+ AI accuracy even with background noise
Human transcription option for 99% accuracy
Strong translation capabilities
Collaborative features for teams
Meets accessibility requirements (ADA, WCAG)
Cons:
AI transcription accuracy trails competitors (85% vs 95%+)
Struggles with heavy accents and overlapping speakers
Free plan is essentially useless (10 minutes one-time)
Human transcription is extremely expensive ($120/hour)
Limited AI features compared to alternatives
Pricing:
10-minute free trial (one-time), then pay-as-you-go starts at $12 per hour.
Monthly subscriptions start at $9/month for 60 minutes, but you'll likely need the $29/month Pro plan (600 minutes) for regular use.
7. Otter AI: Best for Meeting Bot Automation
Otter AI pioneered the meeting bot approach to transcription. "OtterPilot" automatically joins your scheduled meetings, records everything, transcribes in real-time, and shares notes with participants - all without you lifting a finger.
Available as:
Web app, iOS/Android apps, desktop app for Mac (macOS 12.3+)
Top Features:
OtterPilot meeting bot (auto-joins Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
Live transcription in English, Spanish, French
AI Chat: Ask questions about your meetings
Automatic meeting summaries and action items
Speaker identification with custom names
Keyword tracking and highlights
Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack
iOS and Android apps
Sales intelligence features
20+ languages supported for file uploads
Pros:
True "set it and forget it" meeting automation
Clean, intuitive interface
Strong mobile apps for on-the-go recording
Good free tier (300 minutes/month)
Real-time collaboration features
Cons:
Meeting bot can feel intrusive to external participants
30-minute limit per conversation on free plan
Transcription accuracy drops with accents (notorious for this)
Only stores 25 most recent conversations on free tier
Limited export formats on free plan (no PDF/DOCX/SRT)
Notable privacy concerns mainly because of cloud processing
Pricing:
Generous free tier with 300 minutes/month. Pro starts at $16.99/month for 1,200 minutes, which is solid value if you're in constant meetings.
8. Simon Says AI: Best for Video Production Workflows
Simon Says AI was built specifically for video editors and post-production teams. Featured in Apple's Final Cut Pro keynote, it transcribes and translates audio/video files in 100+ languages, then exports the results directly to your NLE (non-linear editor) with frame-accurate timecodes for editing.
Available as:
Mac app (also Windows), web app, Final Cut Pro extension
Top Features:
Transcription and translation in 100+ languages
Direct integration with Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Avid, DaVinci Resolve
Frame-accurate timecode sync
Speaker separation and identification
Collaborative web editor for team review
Subtitle and caption generation
On-premises deployment option (Simon Says On-Prem)
Batch processing for multiple files
Assembly edit creation
Export in dozens of formats (FCPX, Premiere XML, Avid, SRT, VTT, Word)
Pros:
Seamless NLE integration saves hours of manual work
On-premises option for maximum security
Perfect timecode synchronization
Handles long-form content well (films, documentaries)
Supports extensive language combinations
Cons:
Designed for video pros - overkill for basic transcription
Steeper learning curve than consumer tools
Native Mac app is basically a web wrapper (disappointing)
Pay-per-use model means costs add up quickly
Pricing:
No free tier - pay-as-you-go starts at $15/hour ($0.25/minute). Subscription plans start at $15/month (includes 2 hours monthly credit, then $7.50/hour for overages), which is better value for regular users.
9. Voice Memos (macOS Sequoia+): Best for Quick Native Transcription
Voice Memos received a major upgrade in macOS Sequoia that added built-in transcription powered by Apple's on-device intelligence. It's not a full-featured transcription service, but it's incredibly convenient for basic needs.
Voice Memos transcribes your voice recordings automatically using on-device processing. You can view transcripts in real-time while recording or after saving, and search through transcripts to find specific moments.
Available as:
Native Mac app (pre-installed with macOS)
Top Features:
Automatic transcription (macOS 15+ with Apple Silicon)
Real-time transcription view during recording
Searchable transcripts across all recordings
Audio playback synced to transcript text
iCloud sync across all Apple devices
Import audio files for transcription (drag-and-drop)
Apple Intelligence integration for summaries (if enabled)
Completely free and built into macOS
100% local processing (never leaves your device)
Pros:
Already installed on every Mac
Completely free with unlimited use
Perfect privacy - everything stays on your device
Dead simple to use (no learning curve)
Syncs with iPhone and iPad recordings
No account required, no sign-ups, no subscriptions
Cons:
Requires Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3) - doesn't work on Intel Macs
Requires macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later
English only (some other languages in limited regions)
No speaker identification
No export options for transcripts (must copy/paste manually)
Basic accuracy (good but not professional-grade)
No editing tools for cleaning up transcripts
Can't transcribe meeting platform audio directly
Pricing:
Completely Free - built into macOS
Final Verdict: Our Top Pick for Mac Users
For Mac users who value privacy and need unlimited transcription, Hyprnote is the clear winner. It's the only tool that processes everything locally on your device while delivering professional-grade AI features.
Unlike cloud-based alternatives that send your conversations to third-party servers, Hyprnote keeps your data completely private - perfect for healthcare professionals, lawyers, financial advisors, and anyone handling sensitive information.
The combination of unlimited free transcription, local processing, and universal platform compatibility (without annoying meeting bots) makes it the smartest choice for Mac users serious about both productivity and privacy.
Download Hyprnote for Mac and experience truly private transcription.