Convert an MP3 File into Text
MP3 is the most common compressed audio format, so most recordings, downloads, and exported voice memos already sit on your computer as an MP3. ScreenApp reads MP3 directly: upload the file and it comes back as a transcript, with no conversion step first.
MP3 is one of the formats ScreenApp accepts for upload (MP3, M4A, MP4A, M4B, AAC, WAV, OGG, OPUS, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, WEBMA, MKA, AC3, EAC3, WV, AMR, DSF, DFF), with no set file size limit, so there is nothing to convert before you start.
What you get:
- A transcript in 100+ languages, with timestamps
- speaker identification, useful when a recording has more than one voice
- Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT
- AI chat with any recording, so you can ask a question about the recording instead of rereading the transcript
- transcript and caption translation, if you need the transcript in another language
- Free plan: 2 transcriptions of recordings up to 45 minutes each
How to Transcribe an MP3 File
- Upload your MP3 file: Drag it into ScreenApp or select it from your computer. There is no set file size limit.
- Let the AI transcribe it: ScreenApp processes the audio and returns a transcript with speaker labels and timestamps.
- Review and export: Check the transcript against the audio in the online editor, then export it as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT.
Accuracy depends on the recording itself, not the file format. An MP3 encoded at a reasonable bitrate keeps the speech clear enough to transcribe, but close-mic, low-noise recordings still transcribe more cleanly than distant or noisy ones. See how we measure accuracy.
MP3 to Text vs Other Apps
| Feature | ScreenApp | HappyScribe | UniScribe | Any2Text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 2 transcriptions, up to 45 min each | 10 min trial, 45 min per recording | 120 min/month, 30 min per file | 15 minutes free, no signup |
| Transcription pricing | Included in the plan | Included in the plan | Included in the plan | $0.035/min pay-per-file |
| Export formats | PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT | TXT, SRT on the free tier | Word, CSV, PDF, TXT, SRT, and VTT | DOCX, XLSX, SRT and TXT |
| Languages | 100+ | 60+ | 63 | 55+ |
| Speaker identification | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | $8.50/month annual | $6/month annual | $0.035/min, no flat plan |
Sources, checked 2026-09-29: screenapp.io/accuracy#languages, ScreenApp pricing, happyscribe.com/pricing, uniscribe.co/pricing, any2text.com/mp3-to-text
- vs HappyScribe: HappyScribe’s free trial gives you 10 minutes total, capped at 45 minutes per recording, and the free tier only exports TXT, SRT. ScreenApp’s free plan covers 2 transcriptions to try, with the full export list.
- vs UniScribe: UniScribe’s free plan covers 120 minutes a month but limits each file to 30 minutes. ScreenApp’s free plan covers 2 transcriptions of recordings up to 45 minutes each.
- vs Any2Text: Any2Text gives you 15 minutes free with no signup, then charges $0.035 per minute. ScreenApp’s transcription is included in the plan price instead of billed per minute.
Who Transcribes MP3 Files
Podcasters transcribe finished episodes to write show notes, pull quotes for social posts, and give listeners a text version to search.
Journalists record interviews as MP3 on a phone or recorder and need a transcript to find and check quotes without replaying the whole conversation.
Students and researchers transcribe MP3 recordings of lectures, interviews, and focus groups for study notes or qualitative analysis.
Customer support and sales teams transcribe MP3 call recordings exported from a phone system to review a conversation or pull out what a customer asked for.
Voice memo users record ideas, meeting notes, or reminders as MP3 on their phone and want a searchable text version instead of relistening to find one.
Musicians and content creators transcribe voiceovers, narration, and spoken segments captured as MP3 during production.