To transcribe an audio or video file offline on a Mac, open File Transcription in Whisperer's Workspace, drop the file in, and Whisperer turns it into text with a Whisper model running on your Mac. Nothing is uploaded and there's no per-minute charge. It's part of the $2.99 app and handles WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, AIFF, FLAC, Opus, OGG, CAF, MP4, MOV and M4V.
Interview recordings, podcast episodes, voice memos and lectures all work the same way.
The interface#
File Transcription
Transcribe audio and video files offline
Drop your files here
or choose a file to transcribe
Drop a file on the window. Whisperer transcribes it with the same engines as live dictation.
Supported formats#
| Kind | Formats |
|---|---|
| Audio | WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, AIFF, FLAC, Opus, OGG, CAF |
| Video | MP4, MOV, M4V (the audio track is extracted for you) |
How it works#
Open File Transcription
Open Whisperer's Workspace window and choose File Transcription in the sidebar.
Drop your file
Drag a file onto the drop zone or click Choose File. Files of any length work.
Transcription runs on your Mac
Whisperer works through the file with your selected model. Everything stays on your Mac.
Get your text
The transcript appears when it's done. Copy it, or keep it in your history to search later.
Speed depends on the model. Whisperer V3, the default, is quick on Apple Silicon. Large V3 is slower but handles difficult audio better. See which Whisper model to use.
What people use it for#
Interviews and podcasts. Turn recordings into searchable text you can quote from.
Voice memos. iPhone Voice Memos sync to your Mac through iCloud. Drop them into Whisperer.
Lectures. Transcribe recorded lectures for study notes. Add subject terms to your personal dictionary first.
Old meeting recordings. If you have a Zoom recording saved as an MP4, it works too.
Recording a call live? That's what Whisperer Pro's meeting notes are for. It notices the call, records both sides without a bot, labels speakers and writes notes with decisions and action items. File transcription is for recordings you already have.
Why offline#
- Privacy. Audio stays on your Mac, which matters for confidential interviews, legal recordings and medical content.
- No per-minute pricing. Cloud services often charge by the minute or cap minutes per plan. Here you paid $2.99 once.
- Works anywhere. Planes, trains and locked-down office networks.
- No upload wait. Long video files don't have to go anywhere before work starts.
Accuracy#
Results depend on:
- The model. Large V3 is the most accurate. Whisperer V3 is the best balance.
- Audio quality. Clear recordings with one speaker close to the mic work best.
- Language. Whisper covers 97 languages, with accuracy that varies by language.
- Your dictionary. Names and specialist terms come out right once they're in it.
Compared with cloud transcription services#
| Whisperer | Typical cloud service | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 one-time | Monthly plan or per-minute pricing |
| Where audio goes | Stays on your Mac | Uploaded to the provider |
| Internet needed | No | Yes |
| File length | No limit | Often capped by plan |
| Sharing with a team | Copy and send the text | Usually built in |
Cloud services win on team sharing and on transcribing from a phone. If you work alone on a Mac, local transcription is simpler and private.
FAQ#
Is there a length limit for file transcription?#
No. Whisperer works through long files in chunks on your Mac. Longer files simply take longer.
Do I need Pro to transcribe files?#
No. File transcription is part of the $2.99 app. Pro ($14.99 once) adds live meeting recording with speakers and AI notes.
Related: File transcription feature, Whisperer vs MacWhisper. See pricing and all dictation features.