MP3 transcription · Local Mac app
MP3 to text
MacParakeet converts MP3 to text by transcribing the file locally on your Apple Silicon Mac. Drag in an MP3 and export TXT, SRT, VTT, or JSON with no upload, account, credit card, or file-length limit. It is free and open source under GPL-3.0, and it requires macOS 14.2+ on Apple Silicon.
macOS 14.2+ · Apple Silicon · no account · no cloud speech upload
How to convert MP3 to text
The workflow is built around files you already have, not a browser upload queue.
01
Download the free Mac app
Install MacParakeet on a Mac running macOS 14.2 or later with Apple Silicon. There is no account, no credit card, and no per-minute plan.
02
Drop in your MP3 file
Drag the MP3 into MacParakeet's transcription window. NVIDIA Parakeet v3 runs on the Apple Neural Engine at about 155x realtime, with no file-length limit.
03
Export the transcript
Copy the text or export TXT, SRT, VTT, or JSON for notes, subtitles, archives, or downstream editing.
Why use a Mac app
MP3 transcription without handing over the file.
MP3 is the default format for podcasts, voice notes, lectures, and exported meeting audio. A local app is the better fit when the recording is long, sensitive, or too important to send through an unknown upload service.
A Mac app, not an upload form
Most MP3 to text services require uploading your audio before you see a transcript. MacParakeet keeps speech recognition on your Mac.
Built for long recordings
Transcribe podcasts, lectures, interviews, and meeting audio without a free-tier length cap or per-minute meter.
Subtitle-ready exports
Need captions instead of a plain transcript? Export SRT or VTT directly from the same MP3 transcription workflow.
Broad media support
MP3 is only one input. MacParakeet also accepts M4A, WAV, FLAC, OGG, MP4, MOV, and other common audio and video files.
Free MP3 transcription with a clear data boundary
Upload services can be convenient for a short public clip, but they move the whole MP3 to someone else's infrastructure before transcription starts. MacParakeet puts the speech model on your Mac instead, so private interviews, drafts, and internal audio stay under your control.
MP3 to text FAQ
How accurate is MP3 to text transcription?
Accuracy depends on the recording. Clean speech with low background noise works best; heavy compression, music beds, crosstalk, and distant microphones require more review.
Is there a length limit for MP3 files?
No. MacParakeet does not impose a file-length limit for drag-and-drop transcription. Very long files are limited by disk space, battery, and how long you are willing to let the Mac process.
Is my MP3 uploaded anywhere?
No. MP3 transcription runs locally on your Apple Silicon Mac. The audio is not uploaded to MacParakeet servers or a cloud speech-to-text API.
Which transcript formats can I export?
MacParakeet exports TXT, SRT, VTT, and JSON from file transcription. Those cover plain notes, subtitle workflows, and structured processing.
Which languages are supported?
NVIDIA Parakeet v3 is the default engine. Optional WhisperKit support expands local transcription coverage to 98 languages after the model is downloaded.
Is MacParakeet free?
Yes. MacParakeet is free and open source under GPL-3.0, with no account, no credit card, and no subscription. It requires macOS 14.2+ on Apple Silicon.
Related transcription guides
Turn your next MP3 into text locally.
Download MacParakeet, drop in an MP3, and keep the transcript on your Mac.
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