Get a Transcript from Any YouTube Video
Paste a YouTube link and this tool downloads the audio, transcribes it, and returns a transcript with timestamps and speaker labels. Use it for a lecture, a podcast episode, an interview, or any video you would rather read than watch end to end.
ChatGPT cannot open a YouTube link or listen to the audio: it only accepts text and images, so it can only guess at a transcript from the title and description. This tool processes the actual video. If you want a summary instead of the raw transcript, the YouTube video summarizer does that from the same link.
What you get:
- A transcript in 99 languages, with speaker identification and timestamps
- Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT
- search across recordings by name or transcript
- AI chat with any recording
- Free plan: 2 transcriptions, up to 45 minutes each, on a free account (no card)
How to Get a YouTube Transcript
- Paste the YouTube link: Copy the URL from the video and paste it into the box above. The tool also imports YouTube, Vimeo and direct media links if you need something other than YouTube.
- Let it process: The audio is downloaded and transcribed automatically, with speaker identification and timestamps added.
- Read, search, or export: Search the transcript, ask a question about the video, or export it as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT.
Accuracy depends on the video’s audio. A single clear speaker with no music or crowd noise transcribes more accurately than a video shot outdoors with wind and background chatter. See how we measure accuracy.
YT Scribe vs Other YouTube Transcript Tools
| Feature | ScreenApp YT Scribe | NoteGPT | YouTubeToTranscript | HappyScribe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 2 transcriptions, up to 45 min each | no length limit stated | free, no limit on the number of transcripts | 10-minute trial |
| Signup required | Yes, free (no card) | no login, installation, plugin or extension required | Not stated as required | Not stated |
| Languages | 99 | Not stated | Translation to 125+ languages | 60+ |
| Speaker labels | speaker identification | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Export formats | PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT | TXT, or copy without timestamps | copy to clipboard only, no file download | TXT, SRT |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | $9/month annual | Not stated | $8.50/month annual |
Sources, checked 2026-09-13: screenapp.io/accuracy#languages, screenapp.io/accuracy, 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, notegpt.io/youtube-transcript-generator, youtubetotranscript.com, happyscribe.com/pricing, notegpt.io/pricing
- vs NoteGPT: NoteGPT needs no login, installation, plugin or extension required and states no length limit stated, but exports only as TXT, or copy without timestamps. ScreenApp exports as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT and adds speaker identification.
- vs YouTubeToTranscript: YouTubeToTranscript is free, no limit on the number of transcripts and translates into 125+ languages, but copy to clipboard only, no file download. ScreenApp lets you download the transcript file directly.
- vs HappyScribe: HappyScribe’s free trial runs 10 minutes, then the Basic plan is $8.50 a month billed annually. ScreenApp’s free plan needs no card.
Who Uses This YouTube Transcript Tool
Students paste a lecture link instead of typing notes during class, then search the transcript for the term they need when they revise.
Content creators turn a video’s words into a blog post, captions, or a script for another video, without retyping the whole thing by hand.
Journalists and researchers pull an exact quote from an interview or a press conference, with speaker identification showing who said it and a timestamp for citation.
Language learners read along with a foreign-language video, pausing on unfamiliar words and checking the transcript against what they hear.
Accessibility teams turn a video into readable text for anyone who cannot watch it, or use it as a starting point for captions.
FAQ
Can ChatGPT transcribe a YouTube video?
No. ChatGPT accepts text and images, not a YouTube link or audio, so it cannot open the video or listen to it. You need a tool that downloads the audio and transcribes it, then you can paste that transcript into ChatGPT if you want to.
Is YT Scribe free?
Yes. The free plan includes 2 transcriptions of up to 45 minutes each, with no credit card required.
Do I need to sign up to use this tool?
Yes. Yes, free (no card) to use the free plan, and creating the account takes about a minute. NoteGPT and YouTubeToTranscript do not require an account.
How many languages does the transcript support?
99 languages, listed on the accuracy page. NoteGPT’s page does not state a number; YouTubeToTranscript translates into 125+ languages using YouTube’s own subtitles as the source.
What file formats can I download the transcript in?
Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT. NoteGPT offers TXT, or copy without timestamps, and YouTubeToTranscript copy to clipboard only, no file download.
Does it work on private or age-restricted videos?
Unlisted videos work, because the link is all the tool needs. Private and age-restricted videos are locked to an account, so no link-based tool, including this one, can fetch them. Download the file from YouTube Studio and upload it instead.
Can it tell the difference between speakers?
Yes. speaker identification are added automatically, so an interview or panel discussion shows who said what.
Are my transcripts private?
Yes. Recordings and transcripts are encrypted with AES-256, are not used to train AI models, and are only shared if you create a share link. Security controls are published on the trust center.
