3 methods
covered in this guide
Free
Fathom transcript on any plan
Pro plan
required for built-in Zoom transcript
90 sec
to get transcript with AI tool
Zoom has a built-in transcript feature, but it requires a Pro plan or above. If you are on a free Zoom account, the built-in transcript is not available. This guide covers all three methods: the built-in Zoom transcript, the local recording upload method, and free AI tools that work on any plan.
The fastest and cheapest option for most people is an AI meeting assistant - tools like Fathom are free and unlimited on Zoom, and deliver a formatted transcript with action items within 90 seconds of the call ending.
Which method to choose: Use the built-in Zoom transcript if you are already on Pro and need the recording stored in Zoom Cloud. Use an AI tool (free) if you want a formatted transcript with action items. Use the upload method if you have an existing local recording you need transcribed.
Method 1: Get a Transcript from Zoom Cloud Recording (Pro plan)
Zoom generates an automatic transcript for cloud recordings on Pro plans and above. To enable it: go to zoom.us > Settings > Recording > Cloud Recording. Scroll to "Audio transcript" and toggle it on.
During the meeting: click Record in the toolbar and select "Record to the Cloud". After the meeting ends, Zoom processes the recording (5-20 minutes depending on length). You will receive an email when ready.
Find and Access the Transcript in Zoom Web Portal
Go to zoom.us and sign in. Click "Recordings" in the left sidebar. Find your meeting and click on it. You will see the transcript listed alongside the video and audio files.
To view the transcript: click the VTT or TXT file. To copy the text: open the TXT version and select all. To share: use the "Share" button which generates a link to the transcript and recording together.
Method 2: Transcribe a Local Zoom Recording by Uploading It
If you recorded locally (saved to your computer), you have an MP4 file. Upload it to Otter.ai or Fireflies.ai to get a transcript. Both have free plans that accept uploaded audio and video files.
Otter.ai: go to otter.ai, sign in, click "Import", and upload the MP4. Processing takes 1-2x the meeting duration. Free plan includes 300 minutes/month.
Fireflies.ai: go to fireflies.ai, sign in, click "Upload" in the top nav. Upload the MP4 file. Free plan includes 800 minutes of storage.
Method 3: Use a Free AI Note Taker (Works on Any Zoom Plan)
AI meeting tools like Fathom, Fireflies.ai, and tl;dv join your Zoom meetings as a bot and deliver a formatted transcript within 90 seconds of the call ending. Fathom is completely free and unlimited on Zoom.
To set up Fathom: go to fathom.video, create a free account, and connect your Google or Outlook calendar. Fathom will auto-join all future Zoom meetings. After each call, you receive an email with the full transcript, summary, and action items.
Alternative: Fireflies.ai free plan (800 stored minutes) also works on Zoom via bot. tl;dv is free with unlimited recordings and EU data storage for European teams.
Export or Share the Transcript
From Zoom Cloud: use the Share button to send a link, or download the TXT file and paste into Notion, Google Docs, or your CRM.
From AI tools: Fathom and Fireflies.ai both have share buttons that generate a shareable link. Fireflies also has native integrations with Notion, HubSpot, Salesforce, and Slack for automatic delivery.
For the fastest and cheapest Zoom transcript, use Fathom (free, unlimited) or another AI meeting tool. The built-in Zoom transcript is only worth using if you are already on Pro and need the recording stored in Zoom Cloud for compliance or team archive purposes.
Fathom and tl;dv are both free and unlimited on Zoom. Set one up before your next meeting and you will get transcripts automatically going forward - no manual steps needed after setup.
Once you have chosen a tool, our Fathom setup guide and Fireflies.ai setup guide walk you through connecting your calendar and getting the first summary automatically.
Tools Used in This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Zoom transcript for free?
Yes. Use a free AI meeting tool like Fathom or tl;dv - both are free and unlimited on Zoom. The built-in Zoom transcript requires a Pro plan ($16/month). AI tools are free and actually produce better output: structured summaries and action items, not just raw transcript text.
How long does it take to get a Zoom transcript?
Built-in Zoom cloud transcript: 5-20 minutes after the meeting ends. Fathom AI tool: approximately 90 seconds. Fireflies.ai: 2-5 minutes. The AI tools are significantly faster because they process audio in real time during the meeting.
Can I get a transcript from a Zoom recording I already have?
Yes. Upload your local recording (MP4 file) to Otter.ai or Fireflies.ai. Both free plans accept video file uploads and return a transcript. Otter.ai free plan allows 300 minutes/month; Fireflies.ai free plan allows 800 minutes of storage.
Does the Zoom free plan include transcripts?
No. Zoom's built-in transcript feature requires a Pro plan or higher. Free Zoom accounts can only record locally (video file on your computer) and cannot generate cloud transcripts. Use Fathom or another AI tool to get transcripts on the free Zoom plan.
Can I transcribe a Zoom meeting without recording it?
Yes. AI meeting tools like Fathom transcribe the audio in real time without requiring you to record the meeting yourself. The bot processes the audio during the call and delivers the transcript after. This also means attendees are not required to consent to recording in the traditional sense - though you should still inform participants that an AI tool is present.
