Benefits of Zoom Meeting Transcription
ChatGPT cannot join or record your Zoom calls because it has no access to live meeting audio or video streams. This Zoom meeting transcription tool records and converts your meetings to text with timestamps and speaker labels, giving you searchable records that AI chatbots cannot produce from live calls.
Zoom meeting transcription turns every call into an accurate, searchable document. Upload a recording or use the Chrome extension to capture meetings live, and the tool delivers a full transcript with 99% accuracy. It works without host permission, so any participant can record and transcribe.
Why use this tool:
- Transcribe Zoom meetings without host permission
- 99% accuracy with automatic speaker identification
- AI-generated meeting summaries and action items
- Export transcripts as PDF, DOCX, TXT, or SRT
- Process recordings in 50+ languages
- Bulk transcription for 100+ recordings at once
- No bot joins your meeting and no software downloads
Whether you missed a meeting, need to review decisions, or want to share notes with your team, the tool gives you a written record in minutes.
How Zoom Meeting Transcription Works
Zoom meeting transcription works in three simple steps. Upload your recording or connect to a live meeting and the tool handles everything automatically.
-
Record or upload your Zoom meeting - Use the ScreenApp Chrome extension to capture meetings live (no host permission required), or upload an existing Zoom recording in MP4, M4A, or WebM format.
-
AI processes the audio - The transcription engine identifies speakers, adds timestamps, and converts speech to text with 99% accuracy. Processing takes 2-5 minutes depending on meeting length.
-
Review, edit, and export - Read through your transcript, make corrections if needed, and export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, or SRT. AI also generates a summary with action items and key decisions.
The tool processes meetings of any length. Unlike Zoom’s built-in transcription, which requires a paid Zoom account and host access, this works for any participant on any Zoom plan.
Zoom Meeting Transcription vs Other Tools
| Feature | ScreenApp | Otter.ai | Fireflies.ai | Fathom | tl;dv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Up to 10 min/recording | 300 min/month (30 min cap per call) | 800 min storage (20 AI credits) | Unlimited recording (5 AI summaries) | Unlimited recording (10 AI notes lifetime) |
| Pricing (paid) | $19/month annual | $10/user/month annual (Pro) | $10/user/month annual (Pro) | $15/month annual (Premium) | $18/user/month annual (Pro) |
| Host permission needed | No | No (bot joins) | No (bot joins) | No (bot joins) | No (bot joins) |
| Visible bot in meeting | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upload recordings | Yes | Limited (3 lifetime on free) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker identification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI summaries | Yes | Pro+ only | Limited credits on free | 5/month on free | 10 lifetime on free |
| Export formats | PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT | TXT, SRT | TXT, SRT, DOCX | TXT, PDF | TXT, SRT |
Key differences:
- vs Otter.ai: Otter.ai’s free plan caps conversations at 30 minutes each and allows only 3 file uploads for the lifetime of the account. The Pro plan costs $10/user/month (annual) but still limits transcription to 1,200 minutes monthly. ScreenApp at $19/month has no per-user pricing and adds no visible bot to your meetings.
- vs Fireflies.ai: Fireflies charges $10/user/month (annual) for the Pro plan, but free users get only 20 AI summary credits per month and 800 minutes of storage. Advanced features like CRM sync and analytics cost extra through AI credit packs ($5-$600). ScreenApp provides transcription with AI summaries included at a flat rate.
- vs Fathom: Fathom offers generous free recording but limits AI summaries to 5 meetings per month on the free plan. The Premium plan costs $15/month and has no mobile app as of 2025. Fathom also joins meetings as a visible “Fathom Notetaker” bot that all participants can see. ScreenApp’s Chrome extension records without adding a bot.
- vs tl;dv: tl;dv’s free plan deletes recordings after 3 months and gives only 10 AI-powered notes for the account’s entire lifetime. The Pro plan costs $18/user/month (annual), and per-user pricing adds up fast for teams. ScreenApp charges a flat monthly rate without per-user fees.
Use Cases for Zoom Meeting Transcription
Students: Record lectures and study group sessions on Zoom, then search transcripts for specific topics during exam prep. The tool creates study notes from long recordings without manual typing.
Professionals: Turn project meetings and client calls into written records with action items. Share meeting transcripts with teammates who missed the call and keep an archive of decisions.
Researchers: Transcribe interview sessions and focus groups conducted over Zoom. Speaker identification tracks who said what, and timestamps make it easy to cite specific moments in your research.
Legal and Compliance Teams: Maintain written records of depositions, client consultations, and compliance meetings. Export transcripts in multiple formats for documentation and regulatory requirements.
Content Creators: Convert Zoom interviews and webinars into blog posts, show notes, and social media content. Pull quotes directly from timestamped transcripts without rewatching entire recordings.
FAQ
Can I transcribe a Zoom meeting without being the host?
Yes. The ScreenApp Chrome extension records and transcribes any Zoom meeting you participate in, regardless of your role. No host permission or admin access is required.
How accurate is Zoom meeting transcription?
The tool achieves 99% accuracy for clear audio with stable internet connections. Accuracy may vary with heavy background noise, strong accents, or overlapping speakers. Speaker identification works automatically for meetings with multiple participants.
How long does it take to transcribe a Zoom recording?
A typical Zoom recording is transcribed in 2-5 minutes, regardless of its length. One-hour meetings and 15-minute standups both process within that timeframe.
Can I transcribe Zoom recordings in other languages?
Yes, the tool supports transcription in 50+ languages including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, and Hindi. Select your language before processing.
What formats can I export my Zoom transcript in?
Export Zoom transcripts as PDF, DOCX, TXT, or SRT (subtitle format). Each format includes timestamps and speaker labels for easy reference and sharing.
Does the transcription bot appear in my Zoom meeting?
No. Unlike Otter.ai, Fireflies, Fathom, and tl;dv, which add a visible bot to your meeting’s participant list, ScreenApp uses a Chrome extension that records directly from your browser. Other participants do not see a recording bot.
Is Zoom meeting transcription free?
The free plan allows you to transcribe recordings up to 10 minutes. For longer meetings and unlimited transcription, paid plans start at $19/month with annual billing.
