10.09.2025
15 min
Best 10 Transcription Software for Chromebook [2025]
By Sanduni
Growth Content Editor
![Best 10 Transcription Software for Chromebook [2025]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meetjamie.ai%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2FBest_10_Transcription_Software_for_Chromebook_2025-88pd7m.png%3F2025-09-26T09%253A43%253A06.008Z&w=3840&q=100)
I keep seeing "Best 10 Transcription Software for Chromebook" searches go way up lately. And I totally get it. You're stuck with some really annoying limits that ChromeOS gives you.
Here's the biggest thing I keep hearing from you:
- Chromebook's native Recorder app fails to sync transcripts to the web.
I know this drives you crazy because;
- It means you're the one doing the transcriptions
- You are doing boring file transfers
- You are hopping between different apps just to get your notes everywhere.
I also see tons of you saying that screen recording tools don't capture system audio. This one really bugs me, too, because it makes transcribing your video calls or browser audio basically impossible (and who wants that headache, right?).
I spent hours testing different tools to see if I could fix this for you.
This guide shows you the best Chromebook-friendly transcription tools I could find and I'll tell you exactly why they're way better than what you're using now.
Enjoy!
Why Are People Actively Searching for the Best Transcription Tools for Chromebooks?
The recorder app on Chromebook doesn’t sync transcripts to the web
“When I need to record a meeting for a transcript… the newly added recorder provides excellent audio quality and fairly good transcription (though, disappointingly, it doesn't sync to recorder." Reddit
When you use your Chromebook's built-in Recorder app to record meetings, you get instant text transcription. This feature works well and gives you quick results. But here's what you need to know: that text stays locked on your device. You won't find it on recorder.google.com.You'll face this problem when you want to open, search, or edit your transcript from another computer.
This limitation will disrupt your workflow in several ways. You'll need to manually transfer files or record everything again on different platforms. Your work gets delayed, your notes become scattered across devices, and you lose confidence in the system.
Familiar desktop tools aren’t available on ChromeOS
“Previously used Bandicam in Windows which i find brilliant but not available for Chrome OS.” - Reddit
You'll see this happen when you make the switch from Windows or Mac to a Chromebook - you hit that wall.
Your favourite recording and transcription apps? They're just not there.
You'll find yourself scrambling to find ChromeOS-friendly alternatives - web apps, browser extensions, Android apps (if you're lucky enough that they work properly).
Learning new apps eats up your time. And trust me, some of these replacements won't have the features you've grown to love and depend on. Your projects will start moving at a snail's pace, and you might end up paying for three different tools just to do what one app used to handle perfectly. It's frustrating, and you have every right to feel stuck.
What Are the Best Transcription Software for Chromebooks?
Here are 10 great Chromebooks transcription software:
- Tactiq: Real-time transcription for Google Meet & Zoom (no bots)
- Notta: Meeting and file transcription with AI summaries
- Fireflies.ai: AI bot to join and record your meetings
- Sembly AI: Automatic meeting minutes and task generation
- Trint: Collaborative editing + multilingual transcription
- Sonix: Fast, multilingual transcription with subtitle tools
- Rev: Mix of AI and human-level transcription accuracy
- Microsoft Word (Web) – Transcribe: Built into Word for Microsoft 365
- Speechmatics: API-based transcription for enterprises
- Whisper WebGPU: Local, private browser-based transcription (no upload)
Tactiq
Best for: Professionals who spend lots of time in online meetings (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams).
Similar to: Fireflies.ai, Jamie
Source: Tactiq
Tactiq is a free speech-to-text AI Chrome extension for online meetings. It automatically transcribes Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams calls in real time. Features include speaker identification and support for 30+ transcription languages. It also offers fast transcript search, tagging of key moments, and easy sharing via email or link.
Below is a breakdown of who it’s for and what features it provides.
Who is it for?
It’s designed for busy teams and professionals who use video conferencing (Google Meet, Zoom, Teams) and want automatic meeting notes without manual note-taking.
Key Features
- Bot-Free Live Transcription: Chrome extension captures meeting audio and transcribes in real time (no recording bot needed)
- Speaker Identification: Labels who said what during meetings for clarity in the transcript
- Multi-Language Support: Transcribes in 30+ languages, accommodating international teams
- AI Summaries & Actions: One-click AI meeting summaries and follow-up email drafts from transcripts
- Integrations & Export: Export transcripts to Google Docs/Slack, with tags, highlights, and shareable links
Pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Pro: $12 per user/month
- Team: $20 per user/month
- Business: $40 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Tactiq
Pros
- You can easily capture and summarize Google Meet discussions for clear meeting records.
- The AI-powered summaries highlight key points and action items in different lengths.
- You can quickly search transcripts by keyword and jump to exact meeting moments.
- It integrates smoothly with platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
- The interface is user-friendly and lets you upload past audio for improved transcription.
Cons
- Transcripts can be inaccurate with non-native English speakers or strong accents.
- Low or unclear audio sometimes leads to misrecognized or unnecessary words.
- Spanish transcription quality is quite basic compared to English.
- It lacks deeper analytics features, which currently feel basic or in beta.
- Desktop browser-only use limits Teams integration flexibility.
Source: G2
Notta
Best for: Individuals and teams needing meeting transcription and AI notes
Similar to: Jamie, Trint
Source: Notta
Notta is an AI-powered transcription service that turns meetings, interviews, and recordings into text. It supports real-time transcription for live meetings and can also transcribe audio/video files in 58 languages.
Unique features include bilingual transcription support and one-click AI meeting summaries with action items. It offers a built-in meeting recorder, team collaboration (sharing notes), and integrations with tools like Slack, Notion, and Zapier.
Below is a closer look at Notta’s target users and key capabilities.
Who is it for?
Built for professionals across industries (sales, consulting, education, media) who want to capture conversations and generate meeting notes, summaries, and transcripts automatically.
Key Features
- Live & File Transcription: Transcribe live meetings or upload audio/video files for automatic transcription
- 58 Language Support: Supports transcribing in 58 languages, useful for multilingual teams
- AI Meeting Summaries: Generates AI-powered meeting summaries highlighting decisions and action items
- Collaboration Tools: Share transcripts and summaries instantly with stakeholders; export to Notion, Word, PDF, SRT
- Integrations: Connects with Slack, Salesforce, Zapier, etc., to sync transcripts and meeting insights into your workflow
Pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Pro: $13.49 per user/month
- Business: $27.99 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Notta
Pros
- You can transcribe meetings and files with automatic translation into multiple languages.
- The mindmap feature is useful for brainstorming and organising ideas visually.
- It provides closed-captioning and summaries, saving time on podcasts and videos.
- Drag-and-drop uploads let you process multiple files quickly with instant summaries.
- The karaoke-style playback makes transcripts easy to review and edit.
Cons
- Transcripts sometimes contain inaccurate words or nonsensical results.
- It struggles with reliable transcription in multilingual business conversations.
- Speaker identification can glitch, and voices aren’t always separated well.
- Real-time and bilingual translation accuracy still needs improvement.
- More language diversity is needed, as some languages are not yet supported.
Source: G2
Fireflies.ai
Best for: Teams and organisations wanting an AI assistant to record and analyse meetings
Similar to: Jamie, Gong
Source: Fireflies
Fireflies.ai is an AI notetaker tool that automatically records, transcribes, summarises, and analyses your meetings. It supports 100+ languages and integrates with popular platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and more.
There's a bot named AI “Fred” that can join and record meetings for you, plus a Chrome extension for real-time Google Meet transcription. It also provides “AskFred” (an AI assistant that answers questions about your meeting content) and conversation intelligence for speaker talk-time analytics and sentiment analysis.
Below is a breakdown of who Fireflies is for and what features it offers.
Who is it for?
Designed for business teams (sales, customer success, product, etc.) that want an AI to capture meeting notes and insights automatically – ideal for those who have many calls or virtual meetings to review.
Key Features
- Automated Meeting Recorder: AI bot (“Fred”) can join Zoom/Meet/Teams calls to record and transcribe conversations
- Real-Time Transcription: Chrome extension provides live transcripts during Google Meet sessions
- Multi-Language & Integrations: Transcribes in 100+ languages and connects with apps like CRM systems, Slack, and Zapier
- AI Q&A Assistant (AskFred): Allows you to query transcripts and get timestamped answers or summaries from your meetings
- Analytics & Insights: Conversation intelligence features (speaker talk time, sentiment, topic tracking) to analyse meeting content beyond just transcription
Pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Pro: $18 per user/month
- Business: $29 per user/month
- Enterprise: $39 per user/month (no monthly option; billed annually)
Pros and Cons of Fireflies.ai
Pros
- The interface is slick, intuitive, and easy to navigate.
- It accurately transcribes meetings and generates clear summaries with timestamps.
- You can search transcripts, use Smart Highlights, and extract action items quickly.
- It integrates with tools like Gmail, HubSpot, Slack, Jira, Asana, and Google Calendar.
- It works across video calls and phone recordings, offering flexible meeting capture.
Cons
- Zoom integration can feel invasive and isn’t intuitive to disable mid-meeting.
- Some languages, like Hindi or Spanish-English mixes, are not transcribed well.
- Background noise or overlapping voices can reduce transcription accuracy.
- Names and speakers are sometimes misidentified and require manual correction.
- Occasional delays occur when joining Google Meet or Microsoft Teams sessions.
Source: G2
Sembly AI
Best for: Teams and professionals who want automated meeting minutes and AI insights.
Similar to: Jamie, Fireflies.ai
Source: Sembly
Sembly is an AI meeting assistant that automatically joins your online meetings to record and transcribe discussions. It identifies different speakers, supports conversations in 48 languages, and automates post-meeting deliverables, such as summaries and tasks.
Distinct features include AI-generated meeting minutes (key decisions, next steps) and a multi-meeting “AI Chat” that can answer questions about past meetings. It also works seamlessly with major conferencing apps (Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, Webex) without requiring installation, and can transcribe uploaded audio files up to 5 hours in length.
Below is a breakdown of Sembly’s intended users and core features.
Who is it for?
Made for professionals and teams who regularly hold meetings and want an automated note-taker – from solo consultants to large teams – especially those needing action items, summaries, and searchable meeting archives.
Key Features
- Auto Meeting Attendance: AI joins meetings in the background to record and transcribe them
- Speaker Diarization: Automatically separates and labels each speaker in the transcript for clarity
- 48 Language Support: Transcribes meetings in 48 languages, accommodating global teams
- AI Summaries & Insights: Generates meeting summaries with key points, decisions, and next steps; can produce deliverables like follow-up emails or agendas
- AI Questions (“AI Chat”): Allows querying across past meeting transcripts to find answers or insights from multiple meetings
Pricing
- Personal: $0 per month
- Professional: $15 per month
- Team: $29 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Sembly AI
Pros
- It can attend meetings for you and generate notes and summaries automatically.
- AI Chat lets you process meeting notes with prompts for quick insights.
- You can upload audio files and get clickable, time-stamped transcripts in minutes.
- It integrates with apps and calendars, making it easy to use across platforms.
- Meeting summaries, outlines, and tasks are delivered right after each session.
Cons
- Long meetings are split into smaller ones instead of being kept whole.
- Occasional bugs can cause the app to shut down and lose a meeting.
- There’s no option to export summaries and tasks into Word format.
- Names and items in transcripts can’t always be edited or added during meetings.
- Clickable transcripts may not be downloaded for offline use.
Source: G2
Trint
Best for: Journalists, content creators, and business teams who need to transcribe audio/video and collaboratively edit transcripts for content creation.
Similar to: Descript, Jamie
Source: Trint
Trint is an AI transcription platform that converts audio and video files into editable text, with an integrated collaborative editor. It transcribes recorded audio/video in 40+ languages and offers live transcription with automatic language detection (30+ languages).
Notable features include a multi-user online editor for reviewing and correcting transcripts, and a custom dictionary to improve recognition of names or terms. It also provides automatic translation of transcripts into 50+ languages and a “Story Builder” tool to assemble highlighted quotes from transcripts into articles or scripts.
Continue below for who Trint is intended for and its key features.
Who is it for?
Designed for media and content teams – like reporters, podcasters, video producers, and researchers – who need fast transcription and a collaborative way to turn transcripts into written stories or documents.
Key Features
- Automated Transcription (File & Live): Transcribes uploaded audio/video files in 40+ languages, and offers live transcription with auto language detection
- Collaborative Transcript Editor: Web-based editor with playback allows multiple team members to review, edit, and comment on transcripts simultaneously
- Custom Vocabulary: Supports a user-defined dictionary for names, jargon, or acronyms to boost transcription accuracy
- Translation & Captions: Can translate transcripts into over 50 languages, and export text as subtitles (SRT, VTT) or other formats for video captioning
- Story Builder Tool: Unique feature to combine quotes from multiple transcripts into a narrative, helping create articles or scripts directly from the transcription platform
Pricing
- Starter: $80 per user/month
- Advanced: $100 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Trint
Pros
- It provides robust transcription that works well even with strong accents.
- You can generate captions and subtitles directly without needing extra software.
- Clickable transcripts link text to audio, making corrections faster and easier.
- It supports multiple languages like English, French, German, and Spanish.
- Editing tools, speaker identification, and a mobile app make the workflow efficient.
Cons
- Transcription speed can be slow, and server delays affect processing.
- Some industry-specific terms need repeated manual correction.
- Speaker separation can jumble roles when editing transcripts.
- Certain languages return poor results, and some (like Mongolian) aren’t supported.
- The interface can feel clunky and less modern in navigation and layout.
Source: G2
Sonix
Best for: Users who need fast, automated transcription and translation for audio/video content.
Similar to: Happy Scribe, Trint
Source: Sonix
Sonix is an automated transcription service that uses AI to convert audio and video files to text quickly. It supports transcription in 50+ languages and can also automatically translate transcripts into other languages (54+ supported).
It has an in-browser transcript editor where you can search, play, edit, and share transcripts on any device. It also provides automatic speaker labelling and even multi-track transcription (for audio with separate channels).
Sonix offers additional AI-driven tools like automatic transcript summarisation, subtitle generation, and integrations with platforms like Zoom and Adobe Premiere.
Read on for who Sonix is for and a summary of its features.
Who is it for?
Suitable for journalists, podcasters, lawyers, researchers, and any professionals who need quick, self-service transcription and subtitles – including those looking to transcribe content in multiple languages or produce captions.
Key Features
- AI Transcription (Audio/Video): Automatically transcribes audio or video files in 53+ languages with high speed and accuracy
- Web-Based Editor: In-browser transcript editor to play audio, search text, edit content, and highlight or comment, accessible from any device
- Speaker Labelling & Timestamps: Automatically identifies and tags different speakers; provides timestamps for each word for easy navigation and editing
- Multilingual Translation: Built-in option to translate transcripts into 50+ languages, enabling easy creation of multilingual subtitles
- Collaboration & Integrations: Multi-user access with permission controls for editing or commenting; integrates with tools like Zoom (meeting recordings) and Adobe Premiere (caption export)
Pricing
- Standard: $0 per month
- Premium: $22 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Sonix
Pros
- It works well with Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese, English, Spanish, and more.
- Transcripts are fast, accurate, and often need little to no editing.
- You can translate transcripts into other languages instantly and accurately.
- The platform is easy to use, intuitive, and includes speaker labelling.
- Built-in summaries and editing tools make transcripts ready to share quickly.
Cons
- Subtitles may not always export correctly due to technical issues.
- Mixed-language conversations like Cantonese with English can be mis-transcribed.
- Some languages beyond the main ones are still not well supported.
- Occasional clunky handling in exports creates extra work for users.
- Accuracy still depends on language and context, requiring manual adjustments.
Source: G2
Rev
Best for: Professionals needing highly accurate transcripts and captions, particularly in fields like legal, media, and research (offers both AI speed and human accuracy options).
Similar to: Scribie, Temi (AI) + traditional transcription services
Source: Rev
Rev is a speech-to-text platform offering both AI-based transcription (fast, automated) and human transcription services for 99% accuracy. It can transcribe audio/video via an AI engine for quick turnaround or via professional human transcribers for maximum accuracy; it also provides captioning and subtitling services in multiple languages.
Rev also includes an AI Assistant that lets you ask questions about your transcripts and get timestamped answers, as well as a cross-file search to find themes or contradictions across many transcripts.
It also has an AI Notetaker that can record & transcribe live Zoom/Meet/Teams meetings, and a mobile app for recording and transcribing on the go.
Below, we break down Rev’s target users and key features.
Who is it for?
Aimed at users who require reliable transcription with flexibility – from lawyers and court reporters to journalists and students. It’s suitable if you sometimes need instant AI transcripts and other times need polished human-edited transcripts (with strong security for sensitive content).
Key Features
- Hybrid Transcription Services: Offers on-the-fly AI transcription for speed, or 99%-accurate human transcription for critical needs (selectable per file)
- Captions & Subtitles: Provides AI-generated captions in 37 languages and human-created captions/subtitles (English/Spanish or 17+ languages for subtitles) for video content
- AI Assistant (Q&A): An Interactive AI assistant that can answer questions about transcript content and point to relevant timestamps in the text
- Multi-File Search: Ability to search across multiple transcripts to find keywords, inconsistencies, or themes (helpful for legal discovery or research)
- AI Meeting Notetaker & Mobile App: Dedicated bot to record/transcribe live meetings on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, plus a mobile app to securely record and transcribe audio from anywhere
Pricing
- Free: $0 per user/month
- Basic: $14.99 per user/month
- Pro: $34.99 per user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Rev
Pros
- Transcriptions are fast and often ready within seconds.
- Accuracy is high, even for depositions, interviews, and meeting recordings.
- You can choose AI transcripts or order human-reviewed ones for extra precision.
- The software is user-friendly, consistently updated, and easy to navigate.
- Summaries and action points enhance transcripts with added clarity.
Cons
- Uploading and processing third-party recordings can cause app crashes.
- It struggles with certain accents and languages, like Australian English or Japanese.
- Speaker identification and customisation options can be limited.
- Accuracy may drop in noisy or technical contexts, requiring manual edits.
- Some features, like word banks, were removed in the past, reducing usability.
Source: G2
Microsoft Word (Web) – Transcribe
Best for: Microsoft 365 users (students, journalists, professionals) who want to transcribe interviews, meetings, or lectures directly within Word without extra software.
Similar to: Google Docs Voice Typing (for live), OneNote’s audio notes
Source: Microsoft
Microsoft Word for the web (Office 365) has a built-in Transcribe feature that converts speech to a text transcript and separates each speaker in the text. It allows you to either record spoken conversations (including virtual meetings) directly in Word or upload existing audio files (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.) to generate transcripts.
The transcript is interactive: as you play back the recorded audio, Word highlights the corresponding text, and you can click timestamps to jump to specific moments. It automatically labels speakers (Speaker 1, Speaker 2, etc.), and you can edit these labels or any transcript text to correct errors.
Below is a breakdown of who uses Word’s Transcribe and what it can do.
Who is it for?
Ideal for Microsoft 365 subscribers who frequently work with recorded interviews, lectures, or meetings. This includes journalists transcribing interviews, students recording lectures, or professionals needing meeting transcripts – all within Word’s familiar interface.
Key Features
- In-Browser Recording: Record directly in Word for Web during a conversation or meeting; transcription happens automatically after saving
- Audio File Upload: Support for uploading audio files (WAV, MP4, M4A, MP3) to generate a transcript retrospectively
- Speaker Separation: Automatically distinguishes and labels different speakers in the transcript (“Speaker 1,” “Speaker 2,” etc.)
- Synchronised Playback: Play back the audio within Word – the relevant transcript text highlights in real time, with clickable timestamps for navigation
- Editable Transcript: Allows in-app editing – you can rename speakers or fix any transcription errors, then insert the cleaned transcript (or snippets of it) into the document
Pricing
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $9.99 per month
- Microsoft 365 Family: $12.99 per month
- Business Basic: $6.00 per user/month
- Business Standard: $12.50 per user/month
Pros and Cons of Microsoft Word Transcription
Pros
- You can upload an audio file or record directly in Word for automatic transcription.
- Transcripts include timestamps to make navigation easier.
- It can recognise and separate different speakers in a conversation.
- The tool works directly in the web version of Word, no extra software needed.
- It’s fast and solid for quick, budget-friendly transcription needs.
Cons
- Accuracy can drop with strong accents, fast speech, or uncommon words.
- It struggles with overlapping voices, laughter, or heavy background noise.
- Long recordings may not process as smoothly as with specialised tools.
- Punctuation and formatting are basic compared to paid transcription apps.
- It’s not as polished or feature-rich as dedicated tools like Otter or Descript.
Source: Reddit
Speechmatics
Best for: Developers and enterprises who need to integrate high-accuracy speech recognition into applications or workflows (with options for on-premises or cloud deployment).
Similar to: Google Cloud Speech-to-Text, Amazon Transcribe API
Source: Speechmatics
Speechmatics is an AI speech recognition platform that provides enterprise-grade speech-to-text APIs for real-time and batch transcription. It supports transcribing speech in over 50 languages with very high accuracy, even in challenging, noisy environments.
The platform offers flexible deployment: you can run it in the cloud or on-premises (e.g., via Docker or virtual appliance) to meet security and compliance needs. Key features include real-time streaming transcription (with <1 second latency), custom vocabulary for domain-specific terms, speaker diarization (who said what), and automatic formatting of numbers/dates in transcripts.
It also provides advanced options like automatic language detection, built-in translation of transcripts (between English and 30+ other languages), and even AI-driven summaries and sentiment analysis of calls.
Who is it for?
Built for enterprises, software vendors, and developers who require a robust speech-to-text engine in their products or internal systems – for example, call centre analytics, voice assistants, or any multilingual transcription service where control over data (and possibly on-prem deployment) is important.
Key Features
- Real-Time & Batch API: Offers both streaming transcription (live audio to text with millisecond latency) and batch processing for pre-recorded files via API
- Flexible Deployment: Can be self-hosted on-premises (to meet strict security/compliance) or used via Speechmatics’ cloud API, depending on business needs
- High Accuracy Models: Enterprise-grade speech engine optimized for accuracy in diverse real-world conditions (handles different accents, noisy backgrounds reliably)
- 50+ Language Coverage: Supports transcription for over 50 languages and dialects with a single model, enabling global application support
- Customization & Extras: Features like custom dictionaries (to train on company-specific names/terms), speaker diarization tags for each word, automatic language detection, and optional translation of transcripts in one API call
Pricing
- Free: $0 per month (includes 480 minutes per month)
- Pro: $0.24/hr (billed by usage; no flat monthly price)
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Pros and Cons of Speechmatics
Pros
- It delivers highly accurate transcriptions, even with diverse accents and background noise.
- Live transcription is fast, stable, and supports speaker diarization and custom glossaries.
- The API is straightforward, making large-scale calls and workflow integration smooth.
- It generates subtitle-ready files and works well for accessibility and captioning.
- Bilingual and multilingual models handle mixed-language conversations effectively.
Cons
- Long meetings can’t yet be transcribed directly into structured document templates.
- Speaker-split exports aren’t always available without extra steps.
- It doesn’t support multiple languages being spoken at the same time in one session.
- Some languages, like Brazilian Portuguese, show lower accuracy than English.
- The platform has features and service gaps that still need refinement.
Source: G2
Whisper WebGPU
Best for: Tech-savvy users and developers who want to transcribe audio locally in the browser (for privacy or offline use) using OpenAI’s Whisper model.
Similar to: OpenAI Whisper (offline CLI), Vosk API (local STT)
Source: Whisper WebGPU Hugging Face
Whisper WebGPU is a browser-based speech recognition app that runs OpenAI’s Whisper model entirely on your local machine using WebGPU acceleration. It performs real-time transcription and translation for up to 100 languages directly in your browser, with no data leaving your device (all processing is done locally).
This approach leverages WebGPU for speed, enabling blazingly fast transcription on modern browsers by utilising your device’s GPU for the AI model. You can either upload audio files or use your microphone to input speech; the app then generates a text transcript in real time thanks to on-the-fly inference of the Whisper model (with support for multilingual output).
Continue below for who might use Whisper WebGPU and its key features.
Who is it for?
For users who value privacy and control – like journalists or researchers who need to transcribe sensitive audio without uploading it to cloud services – and for developers exploring cutting-edge in-browser AI. It’s also suitable for hobbyists who want a free, offline transcription tool running entirely in Chrome/Edge with WebGPU support.
Key Features
- Fully On-Device Processing: Runs the Whisper speech-to-text model in your browser using WebGPU, ensuring audio never leaves your local machine
- Multilingual Transcription: Supports transcribing and translating speech in 100+ languages, covering a wide range of global languages for both transcription and direct translation use cases
- Real-Time Recognition: Capable of transcribing streaming audio in real time (e.g., using your microphone) with fast inference speeds thanks to GPU acceleration
- File Upload Support: Allows you to upload audio files (e.g., MP3 or WAV) and get a transcription output within the browser, without requiring any server or installation
- Privacy-Focused: Because it runs locally in-browser, no internet connection is required after loading – ideal for sensitive content as no audio/data is sent to any server
Pricing
For the end-user, running Whisper with WebGPU is completely free.
Pros and Cons of Whisper WebGPU
Pros
- You can run transcription and translation entirely offline without sending data to servers.
- It supports real-time in-browser speech recognition for quick transcription.
- The tool handles 100 languages for both transcription and translation.
- It works with multiple audio and video formats, plus microphone recording.
- It is lightweight at about 200MB yet powerful enough for real-time processing.
Cons
- It lacks built-in speaker diarization to separate different voices.
- Safari on macOS does not fully support WebGPU, limiting compatibility.
- You may need to enable experimental browser flags to get WebGPU working.
- Current versions don’t support storing full transcripts locally without overwriting.
- Word-level timestamps are not available in the provided model setup.
Source: Hugging Face, Habr
Final verdict on the best transcription software for Chromebook
Here's a recap of the right tool for your workflow:
- Live meeting notes with zero hassle: Pick Tactiq if you live in Google Meet/Zoom/Teams and want bot-free, real-time captions plus instant summaries and exports.
- Hands-off recording + AI minutes: Choose Fireflies.ai or Sembly AI if you want an AI bot to auto-join, record, transcribe, and produce action-oriented minutes across many calls each week.
- All-purpose, budget-friendly transcription: Notta and Sonix are fast, multilingual, and great for uploading files or occasional live notes without overpaying.
- Collaborative editing for media teams: Trint shines when multiple people must clean transcripts, pull quotes, translate, and ship captions/scripts.
- Maximum accuracy or compliance: Use Rev when stakes are high, AI for speed, human transcription for near-perfect accuracy.
- Already in Microsoft 365: Word (Web) – Transcribe is the simplest path for students and pros who want it “built in” with timestamps and speaker labels.
- Privacy-first, no uploads: Whisper WebGPU runs locally in the browser, ideal for sensitive audio or spotty internet, if you’re comfortable with a techy setup.
- Developer/enterprise control: Speechmatics if you need an API, on-prem options, custom vocab, or to wire STT deeply into your stack.
Quick picks
- Most Chromebook users: Tactiq (meetings) + Notta or Sonix (files).
- Sales/CS teams at scale: Fireflies.ai or Sembly AI.
- Newsrooms & creators: Trint (+ Rev when precision matters).
- Tight privacy: Whisper WebGPU.
- IT/Platform teams: Speechmatics.
- Microsoft shops: Word Transcribe.
Tip: Whatever you choose, use a decent mic, record in a quiet space, and keep speakers separate; these three tweaks boost accuracy more than any setting.
Read More
- Explore our guide to free AI-powered transcription software you can start using today
- Compare AI tools in our review of Rev Transcription and modern alternatives
- Discover the top-rated meeting transcription software for remote and hybrid teams
- See how to enable transcription in Microsoft Teams and boost meeting productivity
- Find the best call transcription software for customer support and sales teams
- Learn about interview transcription tools that save time and improve accuracy
- Get step-by-step help on transcribing Zoom meetings automatically
- Discover top transcription software for Mac users who need offline privacy
- Check out the 5 best video transcription software tools for creators and editors
- Read our German-language guide on interview transcription software (DE)
- Explore meeting transcription software tailored for German-speaking teams (DE)
FAQs on Transcription Software for Chromebook
How do I transcribe meetings on a Chromebook without headaches?
You can record and transcribe meetings on a Chromebook using web apps like Tactiq, Notta, or Fireflies.ai that capture spoken words and turn them into meeting notes with speaker identification and AI summaries, giving you clear transcript quality fast. It’s frustrating when tools miss system audio, so pick a website that supports device capture or a bot workflow, and you’ll start transcribing reliably with automatically saved notes.
What’s the best transcription software for Chromebooks in 2025?
You can choose a Chromebook-friendly service like Notta, Sonix, or Trint for accurate audio transcription of audio and video content with intuitive features such as interactive timestamps and quick editing. Each offers a free tier or paid plan, so you can match cost and transcript quality to your workload and feel confident your notes will be ready to share.
How can I capture system audio on a Chromebook for transcription?
You can transcribe system audio by using services that join the call for you, such as Fireflies.ai or Sembly AI, or by routing tab audio into a recorder before upload. If ChromeOS limits direct capture, a bot-based AI meeting assistant neatly avoids the issue, and your transcript is automatically saved for search and review.
Is there a free transcription tool that works on a Chromebook?
You can start transcribing with free tiers from Notta, Sonix, or Fireflies.ai and upgrade to a paid plan only when you need more minutes or advanced features. This keeps things cost-effective while you test transcript quality, multiple speakers, and export options without committing upfront.
Can I transcribe Microsoft Teams or Zoom calls on a Chromebook?
You can transcribe Microsoft Teams and Zoom on a Chromebook using meeting assistants like Fireflies.ai or Sembly AI that join calls and produce AI summaries, speaker labels, and timestamps. If you prefer a browser extension approach, Tactiq works well for live captions and meeting notes so you can capture phrases and action items smoothly.
How do I transcribe audio and video files from Google Drive on a Chromebook?
You can upload files from Google Drive to Sonix, Trint, Notta, or Rev to generate accurate transcripts with interactive timestamps and fast forward playback for quick edits. The workflow is simple in the browser and keeps everything organised so your audio and video content moves from storage to polished text in minutes.
What’s the most cost-effective option for accurate transcripts on Chromebook?
You can keep costs low by using a free tier to start and pay only when your minutes or team needs grow with a flexible paid plan from tools like Sonix or Notta. This lets you balance budget and transcript quality while staying fully browser-based on ChromeOS.
How do I handle multiple speakers cleanly in Chromebook transcripts?
You can use services with speaker identification, such as Trint, Sonix, Fireflies.ai, or Sembly AI, so each voice is labelled clearly and editing stays painless. That way, overlapping spoken words are easier to review, and your meeting notes stay reliable and searchable.
Can I transcribe privately or offline on a Chromebook?
You can run on-device transcription in the browser with Whisper WebGPU for a privacy-first workflow where audio never leaves your machine. It takes a bit of setup, but it keeps sensitive audio and video content local while still producing usable text.
Which file types are supported for audio transcription in the browser?
You can upload common file types like MP3, WAV, M4A, and MP4 to tools such as Sonix, Trint, Notta, or Rev without extra conversions. This saves time and preserves transcript quality because the services handle popular formats directly and keep edits automatically saved.
How do I speed up manual transcription on a Chromebook?
You can use web editors with fast forward, rewind, and interactive timestamps so you can jump to the right moments while typing or correcting AI output. Platforms like Trint and Sonix make manual transcription less tedious and help you finish edits faster with intuitive features.
Do web transcription apps automatically save and organise my notes?
You can rely on cloud-based services like Notta, Sonix, Fireflies.ai, and Sembly AI to keep transcripts automatically saved with version history, folders, and links for sharing. That reduces file juggling on ChromeOS and makes your website workspace the single source of truth.
Can I transcribe interviews stored on external drives or SD cards with a Chromebook?
You can import recordings into your browser and upload them to Sonix, Trint, Notta, or Rev, then edit with timestamps and speaker labels to polish the transcript. The process stays simple and cost-effective while supporting long sessions and clear transcript quality.
What’s the difference between bot-based and extension-based transcription on Chromebook?
You can use a bot-based AI meeting assistant like Fireflies.ai or Sembly AI to join calls and capture everything server-side, or choose an extension-based tool like Tactiq to transcribe from your device during the call. Both approaches work on ChromeOS, so pick the one that best fits your privacy needs and meeting notes workflow.
Sanduni Yureka is a Growth Content Editor at Jamie, known for driving a 10x increase in website traffic for clients across Singapore, the U.S., and Germany. With an LLB Honors degree and a background in law, Sanduni transitioned from aspiring lawyer to digital marketing expert during the 2019 lockdown. She now specializes in crafting high-impact SEO strategies for AI-powered SaaS companies, particularly those using large language models (LLMs). When she’s not binge-watching true crime shows, Sanduni is obsessed with studying everything SEO.