For researchers • Verbatim output with timestamps
Audio to Text
Convert interview recordings to verbatim transcripts — built for qualitative researchers. Choose your preferred AI engine below to get started.
Verbatim + Timestamps
Speaker Labels
TXT & DOCX Export
AI-Powered
Step 1
Choose Your Transcription Engine
Both engines produce identical verbatim output — the difference is where your audio is processed.
✦ Recommended
Use Whisper AI →
Whisper AI
Runs entirely in your browser · OpenAI model
100% Free
No API Key
100% Offline
Privacy: Max
✔ Advantages
Completely free — no API key, no account needed
Audio never leaves your device (100% local)
Works offline after model is downloaded once
No usage limit — transcribe as many files as you want
Model cached in browser for instant future use
⚠ Limitations
First-time model download required (39–244 MB)
Slower processing — runs on your CPU/GPU
Less accurate on noisy audio or heavy accents
Requires a modern browser (Chrome 88+ recommended)
⚡ Fastest & Most Accurate
Use Anthropic API →
Anthropic API
Cloud-powered · Claude AI model
API Key Required
Cloud-Based
Highest Accuracy
No Download
✔ Advantages
Fastest transcription — no waiting for model download
Best accuracy for accents, noisy audio, multiple speakers
No setup — start transcribing immediately with your key
Handles very long files with high consistency
Your API key is never stored on Alfreto's servers
⚠ Limitations
Requires an Anthropic API key (free tier available)
Audio is sent to Anthropic's servers for processing
Usage costs apply beyond free tier credits
Requires internet connection at all times
Not sure which to pick? — Start with Whisper AI if your data is sensitive (e.g. confidential interviews) or if you have no API key. Switch to Anthropic API when you need faster results or are dealing with difficult audio (heavy accents, background noise, overlapping speakers).
Side-by-Side Comparison
All features compared
| Feature | Whisper AI | Anthropic API |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 100% Free forever | Free tier + paid per use |
| API Key Required | No | Yes (Anthropic account) |
| Audio Privacy | Stays on your device | Sent to Anthropic servers |
| Works Offline | Yes (after first download) | No — requires internet |
| Setup Time | Model download once (39–244 MB) | Instant (no download) |
| Transcription Speed | Slower (runs on your CPU) | Fast (cloud processing) |
| Accuracy — Clear audio | Excellent | Excellent |
| Accuracy — Noisy / Accented | Good (Small model) | Best |
| File Size Limit | Unlimited (auto-chunked) | Up to 25 MB per chunk |
| Languages Supported | 8 languages | 99+ languages |
| Output Formats | Verbatim, Clean, SRT | Verbatim, Clean, SRT |
| Speaker Labels | Yes (manual naming) | Yes (manual naming) |
| Download TXT / DOCX | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Sensitive data, no-cost use | Speed, difficult audio, research volume |