Free Zoom Transcription | How to Transcribe Zoom Meetings

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In today’s corporate world, as communication becomes increasingly digitized, most of our meetings—whether client calls, onboarding sessions, team meetings, or employee interviews—are now held via Zoom, Google Meet, and other conferencing apps. Managing multiple meetings in a single day can be challenging if you don’t take notes, especially considering that 52% of employees lose focus in meetings within 30 minutes. That’s where Zoom transcription features come in handy.

There are two methods for transcribing a Zoom meeting: using Zoom’s built-in transcription feature or opting for a dependable third-party tool like Krisp. If you’re unsure how to transcribe meetings with these tools, don’t worry! We’ll give you a clear, step-by-step guide for both tools and compare their features.

What is Zoom Transcription?

Zoom transcription is a feature that automatically converts the spoken content of your Zoom meetings into written text. It helps you keep track of meeting details without manual note-taking. You can benefit from Zoom transcription by easily reviewing meeting discussions and ensuring no important points are missed.

But how can you transcribe a Zoom meeting?

The transcription feature is available in Zoom’s paid plans, such as Zoom Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans. It is not available in Zoom’s free plan. 

To get a Zoom transcript, you’ll need to record the meeting in the cloud. After the meeting, the transcript will be automatically generated and sent to you, but only for Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise accounts. Processing may take some time.

Note that you cannot generate transcripts from existing Zoom meetings. It will start transcribing after the feature is enabled. 

Not so with Krisp — Krisp’s AI Transcription feature simplifies the process of transcribing Zoom meetings and offers an affordable solution.

Let’s explore how you can transcribe Zoom meetings using both approaches:

How to Transcribe a Zoom Meeting with Krisp

Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant is a great alternative for transcribing Zoom meetings. Designed for online meetings and webinars, this tool works in the background. After your call, it provides a full transcript of the conversation.

What’s more, Krisp’s AI meeting assistant transcription notes provide a full recording of your Zoom meetings, making it easy to reference and ensuring that important points are captured effectively.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to transcribe a Zoom meeting with Krisp:

Transcribing a Zoom meeting with Krisp involves several steps, including setting up Krisp for noise cancellation and using Krisp’s transcription feature. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Set Up Krisp

• Create an Account or Log In:
  • Open Krisp and create an account if you don’t have one. If you already have an account, simply log in.
• Download and Install Krisp:
  • Go to the Krisp website and download the application.
  • Follow the installation instructions to set up Krisp on your computer.
• Configure Krisp for Zoom:
• • Open Krisp and make sure the microphone and speaker noise cancellation options are enabled.
  • Select Krisp as the audio input and output device in your system settings.

Step 2: Configure Zoom

• Open Zoom Settings:
  • Open the Zoom application and go to the settings menu (click the gear icon in the top right corner).
• Select Audio Settings:
  • In the settings menu, click on the “Audio” tab.
• Set Krisp as the Audio Device:
  • Under “Microphone,” select “Krisp Microphone” from the dropdown menu.
  • Under “Speaker,” select “Krisp Speaker” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Conduct the Zoom Meeting with Krisp Transcription

• Start the Zoom Meeting:
  • Schedule and start your Zoom meeting as usual.
• Enable Krisp:
• • Make sure Krisp is actively filtering the audio during the meeting by checking the Krisp application. The “Noise Cancellation” buttons should be toggled on.

*Also, with Krisp, you can easily enable both recording and transcription for your Zoom call. 

• Enable Krisp Transcription:
  • Open the Krisp application and navigate to the transcription feature.
  • Start the transcription process. 

Step 4: Transcribe the Meeting with Krisp

• Live Transcription:
  • As the meeting progresses, Krisp will transcribe the conversation in real-time. You will be able to access the transcript after the meeting ends.
• Review and Edit the Transcription:
  • Once the meeting is over, you can review and edit the transcript in the Krisp app. 
  • Additionally, with the “Custom Vocabulary” feature, you can add specific terms and names to improve accuracy and make sure they are recognized in future meetings.
• Save and Export the Transcription:
  • After reviewing, save the transcription.
  • You can copy the transcription or save it as a txt. file if needed.

Additional Tips for Smooth Transcription

• Ensure Good Audio Quality:
  • For the best transcription results, ensure all participants use quality microphones and are in quiet environments.
• Regular Updates:
  • Keep both Krisp and Zoom updated to the latest versions to benefit from improvements and new features.
• Permissions:
  • Always inform and obtain consent from all meeting participants before recording and transcribing the meeting.

How to Transcribe a Zoom Meeting with Zoom

Transcribing a Zoom meeting using Zoom’s built-in transcription feature is straightforward, especially if you have a Zoom Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account. We’ve reviewed Zoom’s official documentation to provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide to help you use this feature effectively. Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Enable Cloud Recording and Transcription

• Sign In to Zoom:
  • Go to the Zoom web portal and sign in to your account.
• Navigate to Settings:
  • In the left sidebar, click on “Settings.”
• Enable Cloud Recording:
  • Under the “Recording” tab, make sure “Cloud recording” is enabled. This option allows you to record your meetings in the Zoom cloud.

• Enable Audio Transcription:
  • Scroll down within the “Recording” settings and find the “Create audio transcript” option.
  • Ensure the “Create audio transcript” option is enabled. This will generate a transcript of the audio while your meeting or webinar is being recorded to the cloud.

Step 2: Schedule or Start a Meeting

• Schedule a Meeting:
  • Schedule a new meeting by clicking on “Schedule a Meeting” and filling in the meeting details. Alternatively, you can start an instant meeting by clicking “Host a Meeting.”
• Start the Meeting:
  • Start your scheduled meeting at the designated time or begin your instant meeting.

Step 3: Record the Meeting with Transcription

• Start Recording:
  • Once the meeting has started, click the “Record” button in the Zoom toolbar.
  • Select “Record to the Cloud” to ensure the meeting is recorded and the audio transcription feature is activated.

Step 4: Access the Recording and Transcription

• End the Meeting:
  • When the meeting concludes, stop the recording by clicking the “Stop Recording” button or simply end the meeting. Zoom will process the recording and generate the transcription.
• Receive Email Notification:
  • You will receive an email notification from Zoom once the cloud recording and transcription are ready. This usually takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on the length of the meeting.

• Access the Recording:
  • Log in to the Zoom web portal.
  • Navigate to the “Recordings” tab on the left sidebar.
• View and Edit Transcription:
  • Find your recorded meeting in the list of cloud recordings.
  • Click on the meeting title to view the recording.
  • The transcript will be available alongside the video and audio recording. You can play the recording and see the transcript scroll alongside it.
  • Edit the transcript if needed by clicking on the pencil icon next to each text segment.

Step 5: Save and Share the Transcription

• Download Transcription:
  • You can download the transcript as a .vtt file, which can be opened with any text editor or converted to other formats like .txt or .doc.
• Share Recording and Transcript:
  • Share the recording and its transcript with other participants or stakeholders by sending them the link to the cloud recording or downloading and sending the files.

Additional Tips for Smooth Transcription

• Check Settings Beforehand:
  • Make sure to enable cloud recording and transcription settings before starting the meeting to avoid any last-minute issues.
• Inform Participants:
  • Always inform meeting participants that the session will be recorded and transcribed, which is a legal and ethical requirement in many regions.
• Review for Accuracy:
  • Review the transcription for accuracy and make necessary edits, especially if the meeting involves multiple speakers or technical terms.

Krisp Transcription Vs. Zoom Transcription

Let’s compare and review the key differences between Krisp’s transcription feature and Zoom’s transcription service. This comparison will help you understand which option is better for your needs. Here is a table comparing what each option offers:

• Pricing: Krisp offers free, unlimited transcription for all your meetings. Additionally, its free plan includes 2 AI-generated meeting notes and summaries per day. Zoom’s automatic transcription is only available to users with a Business, Education, or Enterprise license. You can’t use this feature if you’re a Zoom user with a free account.

• ‍Accuracy: Since Krisp focuses on providing the best possible audio quality by removing unwanted noise, the resulting transcript will likely be more accurate. It is especially useful in noisy environments or for users with less-than-ideal audio settings. This is a significant advantage over Zoom’s direct transcription of potentially noisy audio.

• Processing Time: Krisp provides transcripts immediately after the meeting ends. You can quickly open your Krisp Account and get the transcript without any delay. On the other hand, Zoom transcripts take time to process and are not available right after the call.

• Flexibility: Krisp can be used with multiple communication platforms, not just Zoom. You can benefit from high-quality transcriptions regardless of your platform, be it Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or others. Zoom’s transcription feature is limited to its platform.

• Readability: Krisp and Zoom identify different speakers and include speaker labels in their transcripts, but Krisp offers a more readable transcript. Krisp’s transcripts are structured in a way that is more natural and easier for humans to follow compared to Zoom’s transcripts.

Krisp Transcription Feature Sample

Zoom Transcription Feature Sample

The Benefits of Krisp’s AI Transcription Feature

Free Unlimited Zoom Transcriptions

Krisp’s AI-powered meeting assistant provides unlimited Zoom transcriptions without requiring a credit card. Enjoy transcriptions at no extra cost or with no limitations.

Automatic Summarization

Krisp’s AI-powered tool transcribes and summarizes meetings, highlighting key discussions, decisions, and action items.

Bot-Free, Non-Intrusive Experience

Krisp offers a smooth and unobtrusive transcription process. Unlike other tools that might be cumbersome or disruptive, it runs in the background, allowing for uninterrupted conversations.

No Downloads or Installations

Krisp requires no additional downloads or installations. Integration with Zoom is straightforward, offering a seamless transcription experience without extra software or plugins.

Minimal to No Edits Required

Krisp’s advanced AI and noise-cancellation features ensure clear audio and accurate transcriptions with minimal post-meeting edits. It effectively differentiates and transcribes individual speakers, reducing the need for manual corrections.

Conclusion

While Zoom’s transcription feature is a useful tool for users in the Zoom ecosystem, Krisp’s transcription feature offers improved audio quality with better noise reduction, cross-platform integration, and higher transcription accuracy. This makes Krisp a strong option for users who need reliable, high-quality transcriptions across multiple platforms and communication environments.

Frequently Asked Questions