Three steps
- Add the audio. Drag in an MP3, M4A, WAV or video file, or record a meeting directly in Scrieb. It captures your microphone and system audio, so no bot joins the call.
- Transcribe locally. Whisper AI runs on your Mac or PC. Speaker identification runs alongside it, also on the device.
- Export. Click Export, pick DOCX, PDF or TXT. Open the DOCX in Word and edit it like any other document.
What the Word document looks like
Speaker names
Each turn starts with the speaker. Rename "Speaker 1" to a real name once and every occurrence updates.
Paragraphs, not a wall
Turns are split into readable paragraphs with punctuation, ready for quoting or editing.
Optional summary
Generate a summary or ask questions about the transcript before exporting. The AI chat runs locally as well.
Editable
Plain Word formatting, no locked fields. Works in Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice.
Which format for which job
| Format | Use it when | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DOCX | You will edit, quote or send the transcript | Opens in Word and everything else. The default for interviews and client notes. |
| You need a fixed copy for a file or a client | Nothing can be changed by accident. Good for records. | |
| TXT | You will paste the text somewhere else | NVivo, MAXQDA, a CRM, a prompt. Smallest and most portable. |
Compared with Word's own Transcribe
| Word Transcribe (Microsoft 365) | Scrieb | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the audio is processed | Microsoft's servers | Your computer |
| Monthly limit | Yes, upload minutes per month | None |
| Speaker labels | Yes | Yes, computed on the device |
| Record system audio | No | Yes, calls and meetings |
| Summary | With Copilot, in the cloud | Yes, local |
| Export | Into the open document | DOCX, PDF, TXT |
| Works offline | No | Yes |
Longer comparison: Microsoft Word Transcribe alternative.
Why offline matters for documents
A Word transcript usually ends up in a client file, a case folder or a research archive. If the audio went through a cloud service first, that service holds a copy and sits in your data-processing chain. With local transcription the only copies are the ones you make. For regulated work that removes the vendor question entirely; see local transcription and security.
Pricing
No minute limits, speaker identification included, one licence for Mac and Windows. Free to try.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert an audio file to a Word document?
- Drop the file into Scrieb, wait for the local transcription, then click Export and choose DOCX. Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice all open the result. The audio never leaves your computer.
- Does the Word document show who said what?
- Yes. Scrieb identifies speakers on your device and starts each turn with the speaker name, so a two-person interview reads as a dialogue rather than a wall of text.
- Can I export to PDF and plain text too?
- Yes. The same transcript exports as DOCX, PDF or TXT. PDF for sharing a fixed copy, TXT for pasting into analysis tools or an LLM.
- Which audio formats can I convert?
- MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, OGG and video files such as MP4 and MOV. No conversion step first.
- Is this different from Transcribe in Microsoft Word?
- Word's built-in Transcribe uploads your audio to Microsoft and counts against a monthly allowance in Microsoft 365. Scrieb does the same job on your own computer with no upload and no cap. Details on the Word Transcribe alternative page.
- How long does a one-hour recording take?
- A few minutes on a Mac with Apple Silicon or a PC with a modern GPU; about an hour on a laptop without a dedicated graphics card. It runs in the background.
- Is it free?
- Scrieb is free to try with a daily recording limit and no card. Pro removes the limit and covers Mac and Windows with one licence.