Free plan
local recording included
Cloud
requires paid plan
30 sec
Fathom summary time
4 methods
covered in this guide
Zoom has had recording built in since its early days, but the options differ significantly by plan. Free Zoom accounts can record locally to your computer. Paid plans add cloud recording with automatic storage and sharing. And AI note takers add a third option that works on any plan and produces summaries and action items on top of the recording.
This guide covers all three approaches so you can choose the one that fits your plan and workflow.
Use local recording (free) if you just need a video file on your computer. Use cloud recording (Pro) if you need automatic sharing and cloud storage. Use an AI tool (free options available) if you need structured notes, not just a video.
Understand which recording option applies to your plan
Free Zoom accounts: local recording only, saved to your computer as an MP4 file. Zoom Pro and above: cloud recording, saved automatically to the Zoom cloud and accessible via a share link. Any plan: AI note takers work regardless of Zoom plan and add transcription and summaries.
Ask for consent before recording
Zoom notifies participants with an audio announcement and a visible indicator when recording starts. You should still inform participants at the start of the call. Recording without consent is a legal risk in most jurisdictions, particularly under GDPR in Europe and recording consent laws in US states like California.
Start local recording (free plan)
During a Zoom meeting, click "Record" in the bottom toolbar. Select "Record on this Computer". A recording indicator appears in the top-left corner. To pause or stop, use the same toolbar button or the keyboard shortcut Alt+P (pause) / Alt+R (stop). When the meeting ends, Zoom converts the recording to MP4 and saves it to your default Zoom folder (Documents/Zoom on most systems).
Start cloud recording (Pro plan and above)
Click "Record" in the toolbar and select "Record to the Cloud". Zoom stores the recording on Zoom's servers. After the meeting, you receive an email with a share link. You can manage, share, or download recordings from zoom.us/recording in your browser.
Use an AI note taker for summaries on any plan
Fathom is the best free option for Zoom. It is a native Zoom app available in the Zoom marketplace, provides unlimited recordings and AI summaries at no cost, and does not show a visible bot to other participants. Install from zoom.us/apps, connect your calendar, and Fathom joins your calls automatically.
Fireflies.ai joins Zoom as a notetaker bot, integrates with 50+ apps, and supports 100+ languages. Best for teams with CRM or project management workflows.
For a comparison of AI note takers for Zoom, see the best AI note takers for Zoom in 2026.
Tool used in this step: Fathom
For basic recording needs, Zoom's built-in recording handles the job - local recording is free and cloud recording is available on any paid plan.
For transcription, summaries, and action items on top of the recording, add Fathom (free, native Zoom app) or Fireflies.ai. Both work on any Zoom plan and deliver structured notes within minutes of the call ending.
Tools Used in This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you record a Zoom meeting for free?
Yes. Free Zoom accounts support local recording, which saves the meeting as an MP4 file to your computer. Cloud recording requires a paid Zoom plan (Pro or above). Free AI note takers like Fathom also record and transcribe Zoom meetings at no cost, with the added benefit of AI summaries.
Do Zoom participants know when the meeting is being recorded?
Yes. Zoom plays an audio announcement and shows a recording indicator at the top-left of the screen when a host starts recording. Participants who join a meeting already in progress are notified immediately. You cannot disable this notification.
Where do Zoom recordings go?
Local recordings save to Documents/Zoom on your computer by default. Cloud recordings save to zoom.us/recording and you receive an email notification with a share link when processing is complete.
How long does Zoom keep cloud recordings?
Zoom stores cloud recordings based on your storage quota. Paid plans retain recordings until you delete them or run out of storage. Pro includes 5GB, enough for roughly 50 average-length meetings.
