Transcribe an audio or video file with superwhisper: three ways, and what it needs
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
superwhisper can transcribe a file you already have, such as a meeting recording, a lecture or a voice memo. It is a Pro feature. The file goes through whichever mode is active, so the result uses that mode's voice model and its AI formatting. Without Pro, Transcribe File in the menu shows a lock.
I make YapToText, a different dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about superwhisper with that in mind. Every fact about superwhisper here is from its own docs, read on October 10, 2026. The page is File transcription. YapToText transcribes files too, free, so I have a stake in this one.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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Three ways to start on a Mac
- The menu bar. Click superwhisper's icon, choose Transcribe File, and pick the file.
- Finder. Right-click the file, choose Open With, then superwhisper. If it is not listed, choose Other and select the app.
- Terminal. The command below, or superwhisper transcribe if you installed its command line tool.
open /path/to/your/audiofile.mp3 -a superwhisperWhat happens: macOS hands the file to superwhisper, which transcribes it with the active mode.
Check the active mode first. A file run through an AI mode comes back rewritten by that mode, not as a plain transcript. For the words as spoken, switch to Voice to Text before you start.
Formats it prefers
From superwhisper's docs page File transcription, read October 10, 2026.
| Kind | Best results with |
|---|---|
| Audio | MP3, or mono WAV at a 16 kHz sample rate |
| Video | MP4 or MOV |
| On Windows | Opus audio as well |
Speakers and long recordings
For a transcript that says who spoke, make a mode with Identify Speakers on and select it before you choose the file. The superwhisper meetings page has the steps and the limit on AI summaries. The model guide covers which model the docs recommend for long files.
On Windows
Click the superwhisper tray icon and choose Transcribe File, or right-click a file in File Explorer and choose Transcribe with Superwhisper. On Windows 11 that entry is under Show more options.
The free way to do it
superwhisper from its docs, read October 10, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| superwhisper | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Price of file transcription | Pro | Free |
| Start from | Menu bar, Finder or Terminal | Drop the file on the Transcribe a file card, or the menu bar panel |
| Runs through | Your active mode | The mode you pick, including Raw Transcription |
| Speaker labels | Yes, with Identify Speakers | No |
| Where it runs | Local or cloud, by model | On the Mac |
YapToText takes any audio or video file macOS can decode, one at a time, and gives you plain text with no timestamps or speaker labels. The file transcription guide walks through it, and the transcription apps page compares more options.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Plan. Pro.
- Start. Menu bar, Finder Open With, or Terminal.
- Mode. The active one decides the output.
- Formats. MP3, MP4, MOV, or 16 kHz mono WAV.
- Free. YapToText, for plain text.
If superwhisper changes file transcription, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/transcribe-files (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/cli (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/speaker-separated-meetings (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-10)
Questions
Can superwhisper transcribe audio files?
Yes, with Pro. Choose Transcribe File from its menu bar icon, or open the file with superwhisper from Finder.
Is file transcription free in superwhisper?
No. Its docs say file transcription is a Pro feature, and the menu item shows a lock without Pro.
What file formats does superwhisper transcribe?
Its docs recommend MP3 audio, MP4 or MOV video, and mono WAV at 16 kHz, plus Opus on Windows.
Can superwhisper transcribe a video?
Yes. It takes video files such as MP4 and MOV and transcribes the audio.
How do I transcribe a file for free on a Mac?
YapToText transcribes an audio or video file to plain text on the Mac for free, one file at a time.