apps/web/content/articles/how-to-transcribe-zoom-calls.mdx
Transcribing Zoom calls manually is time-consuming and error-prone. You can automate this process using either Zoom's built-in transcription feature or third-party AI tools.
This article covers both approaches and helps you decide which works for your workflow.
Zoom provides audio transcription that automatically transcribes the audio of meetings or webinars recorded to the cloud.
If you're interested in Zoom's meeting summaries feature, see our Zoom AI Companion Review.
Many excellent options exist for Zoom transcription. See our comprehensive guide on the best AI notetakers for Zoom for a detailed comparison. Char is a complete AI notetaking solution that goes beyond simple transcription.
Char is an open-source AI notepad for meetings that gives you complete control over your data and AI stack. Everything is stored as plain markdown files with zero lock-in. This matters for:
Char transcribes your meeting in real-time and generates actionable summaries automatically, without bots joining your call.
Important: Always ask for consent, especially in all-party consent states like California.
Zoom users often spend hours editing 45-60 minute transcripts due to poor accuracy and formatting issues. Char's AI models deliver better transcription quality with minimal manual cleanup.
Zoom processes conversations in the cloud, raising compliance concerns for sensitive industries. Char keeps everything on your device with no data leaving your computer.
Zoom delivers raw transcript files that require manual organization. Char extracts key points, decisions, and action items automatically.
Zoom transcripts sit in isolation. Char builds a searchable knowledge base where you can find patterns, track decisions, and understand how projects evolved.
Char lets you ask questions about your meeting notes through AI chat—"What are my action items?" or "What exactly did Sarah say about the budget?"—without scrolling through pages of text. Zoom gives you static files.
Char works with any meeting platform, offers custom templates, and gives you complete deployment flexibility—local-only processing, on-premises deployment, or private cloud options. Zoom locks you into their ecosystem.
Char offers unlimited AI summaries and transcription free forever.
Regardless of which method you choose, follow these practices to get the best results:
Zoom's native transcription feature only works with cloud recordings. You cannot generate transcripts without recording the meeting first.
Third-party tools like Char can capture and transcribe Zoom audio in real-time without requiring cloud recording to Zoom's servers.
Zoom transcripts are stored in Zoom's cloud servers alongside your recorded meetings. You can access them through the Zoom web portal under "Recordings."
The transcripts are saved in VTT format, which you can download and convert to other formats like Word documents or PDFs. This cloud storage raises privacy concerns for sensitive meetings.
For users who want complete control, Char offers the best alternative with zero lock-in—plain markdown files, your choice of AI stack, and true file ownership.
For those comfortable with cloud processing, other popular alternatives include Otter AI, Fathom, and Tactiq. See our comprehensive guide on the best AI notetakers for Zoom for a detailed comparison.
Zoom's transcription has significant accuracy issues. Users report incorrect speaker identification, common words requiring editing even with clear speech, and frequent formatting errors.
Zoom's native transcription requires an internet connection and cloud processing, so offline transcription isn't possible.
Char can transcribe Zoom calls completely offline using local AI models, making it ideal for situations with unreliable internet.
Yes, Zoom's transcription feature requires a Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account. The basic free Zoom plan does not include transcription.
Char offers unlimited transcription and AI summaries free forever, regardless of your Zoom account type.