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, WAV, M4A, AAC, OGG and FLAC), up to 2 GB per file, so there is nothing to convert before you start.
What you get:
- A transcript in 99 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: one recording of up to 45 minutes
How to Transcribe an MP3 File
- Upload your MP3 file: Drag it into ScreenApp or select it from your computer. Files up to 2 GB are accepted.
- 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 | one recording, up to 45 min | 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 | 99 | 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 2026-09-13: screenapp.io/pricing, screenapp.io/accuracy#languages, github.com/screenappai/screenapp-new/blob/main/apps/web/src/app/api/files/[id]/transcript/export/route.ts, screenapp.io/help/how-many-minutes-can-i-record, 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 is a recurring allowance 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 recording can run up to 45 minutes.
- 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.
FAQ
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 is a compressed audio format that reduces file size by discarding some audio data the human ear notices less. It is the most widely used audio format for recordings, downloads, and voice memos.
Does ScreenApp accept MP3 files directly?
Yes. MP3 is one of the formats ScreenApp accepts for upload (MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, OGG and FLAC), so you can upload an MP3 file as it is and get a transcript back.
Is there a file size limit for MP3 uploads?
Uploads are accepted up to 2 GB per file. Most MP3 recordings, even several hours long, stay well under that because MP3 is already a compressed format.
How do I convert an MP3 file to text?
Upload the MP3 file to ScreenApp. The AI transcribes it automatically and returns a transcript with speaker labels and timestamps, which you can review and export.
Can I transcribe multiple MP3 files at once?
ScreenApp supports bulk upload of multiple files, so you can queue up more than one MP3 file instead of uploading them one at a time.
What formats can I export the transcript as?
Can I translate an MP3 transcript into another language?
Yes. ScreenApp offers transcript and caption translation, so you can get the transcript or captions in a different language from the one spoken in the recording.
Is my uploaded audio kept private?
Recordings are encrypted with AES-256 and are not used to train AI models. ScreenApp’s security controls are published on its trust center.
