Get a Transcript From a YouTube Video in Chrome
This Chrome extension records screen, window, browser tab, microphone and camera, with system audio, so it works on any YouTube video playing in the tab and sends the recording to your ScreenApp library. There, the AI transcribes the audio and returns text with timestamps you can search, copy, or export.
Because it transcribes the audio directly, it works even when a video has no captions at all, which a tool that only reads YouTube’s own caption track cannot do. ChatGPT cannot do this job on its own either: it takes text and images, not a live video feed, so it cannot open a YouTube tab and transcribe what plays.
What you get:
- A transcript with timestamps, in 99 languages
- speaker identification
- live transcript while recording (beta)
- Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT
- AI chat with any recording
- Free plan: one recording of up to 45 minutes, with AI chat on it
How to Get a YouTube Transcript With the Extension
- Install the extension: Add ScreenApp from the Chrome Web Store. The icon sits in your toolbar.
- Record the video: Open the YouTube video and click the extension icon to start recording the tab. Let it play through, or stop early if you only need part of it.
- Read the transcript: Stop the recording and the transcript, with timestamps, is ready in your ScreenApp library a few minutes later. Search it, copy a quote, summarize it, or ask AI a question about the video.
Accuracy depends on the audio. Clear narration transcribes better than a video with music over the dialogue or heavy crosstalk. See how we measure accuracy.
YouTube Transcript Extension vs Other Apps
| Feature | ScreenApp | Youtube Transcript | Glasp | youtubetotranscript.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it gets the text | Records the tab and transcribes the audio | Reads YouTube’s own caption track | Reads YouTube’s own caption track, or paste a URL | Reads YouTube’s own caption track, paste a URL |
| Works without captions | Yes (transcribes the audio) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Signup required | Yes, free (no card) | No account required | No signup required for the basic transcript tool | Not stated |
| Export | PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT | highlight and copy the text; no file download | copy, download, or save | copy to clipboard only, no file download |
| Free tier | one recording, up to 45 min | Free | 3 summaries/day | free, no limit on the number of transcripts |
| Rating | Not stated | 4.5 (1,000+ ratings) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | Not stated | $12.50/month annual | Not stated |
Sources, checked 2026-09-13: github.com/screenappai/screenapp-new/blob/main/apps/web/src/app/api/files/[id]/transcript/export/route.ts, screenapp.io/pricing, screenapp.io/help/how-many-minutes-can-i-record, chromewebstore.google.com/detail/youtube-transcript/jgibaoklabopileepldnlkbbcibhbgmd, glasp.co/youtube-transcript, youtubetotranscript.com, glasp.co/pricing
- vs Youtube Transcript (Chrome extension): This extension has 100,000+ users and a 4.5 rating from 1,000+ ratings. It reads YouTube’s existing caption track, so a video with no captions gives it nothing to work with; ScreenApp records the audio instead, so it produces a transcript either way.
- vs Glasp: Glasp’s free tier is capped at 3 summaries/day, and its export is copy, download, or save. ScreenApp’s extension is not limited to YouTube; it records any tab and works on videos without a caption track.
- vs youtubetotranscript.com: youtubetotranscript.com is free, no limit on the number of transcripts and exports as copy to clipboard only, no file download, but it depends on YouTube’s own auto-generated captions. ScreenApp transcribes the audio directly and exports as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT.
Who Uses the YouTube Transcript Extension
Students convert lecture videos into study notes. They record the video once and get a transcript and AI notes to review before an exam, instead of retyping what the lecturer said.
Researchers gather quotes and citations from video sources. Recording the tab builds a searchable archive of interview content, conference talks, and documentary material, even from videos that never had captions.
Content creators repurpose video into blog posts and articles. Extracting a transcript gives them written text to turn into show notes, scripts, or social media posts.
Journalists capture quotes from video interviews and press conferences. A timestamped transcript makes it faster to find and verify a specific line for an article.
Language learners study with video transcripts. Reading along with native speakers, looking up vocabulary, and practicing pronunciation is easier with an accurate written transcript next to the audio.
FAQ
Does the YouTube transcript extension read YouTube’s captions?
No. It records the tab’s audio and sends the recording to ScreenApp, where it is transcribed. That means it also works on videos that have no captions at all, unlike a tool that only reads the caption track.
Can I get a YouTube transcript in another language?
Yes. ScreenApp transcribes in 99 languages. Record the video and the transcript comes back in the language spoken, or ask for a translation in AI chat.
Is the YouTube transcript extension free?
Yes, to start. The free plan includes one recording of up to 45 minutes, with the transcript and AI chat on it. Paid plans start at $19 a month billed annually and remove the limit.
Can I download YouTube transcripts as files?
Yes. Export the transcript as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT. Downloading the original video recording itself is Paid plans only.
Does the extension work instantly while the video plays?
live transcript while recording (beta), but the finished transcript, with timestamps, is ready in your ScreenApp library a few minutes after you stop recording. It is not the same as a tool that pulls an existing caption file in one step.
Does the extension work with YouTube playlists?
One video at a time. Open each video in the playlist and click the extension icon; there is no batch mode for queuing a whole playlist. For multiple videos, repeat the recording per video.
Do I need to sign up to use the extension?
Yes, free (no card). An account is what keeps the recording and transcript in your library after you stop.
Does it work on videos without captions?
Yes. Because it transcribes the tab’s audio rather than reading a caption track, it works whether or not the video has captions to begin with.
