How to transcribe a meeting for free
We may earn a commission from some links. It never changes our picks. How we make money
Ranked on published features, free-plan limits and beginner ease (checked 14 October 2026). We have not benchmarked these tools hands-on, and commissions don’t affect rankings.
You don’t need to pay to get a written record of a meeting. Several AI note-takers have useful free plans, and your video platform may already include transcription or AI notes. Here’s how to pick, and what the free limits really are.
Decide in 30 seconds
- Many recurring meetings, want searchable text → Fireflies free
- Want the video as well as text → tl;dv free
- Want to read along live → Otter free (300 min/month)
- Google Workspace plan includes Gemini notes → “Take notes for me” in Meet
Our top picks
Fireflies.ai
Who it’s for: People with lots of recurring calls who want searchable transcripts without a meeting cap.
Worth knowing: Free summaries and storage are limited. Obtain recording consent.
Visit Fireflies.ai ↗ (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission)
tl;dv
Who it’s for: People who want to rewatch the recording alongside the transcript, on Meet, Zoom or Teams.
Worth knowing: The free plan limits AI notes to 10 meetings and keeps data for up to 3 months. Sign-up uses a Google or Microsoft work account. Get consent before recording.
Visit tl;dv ↗ (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission)
Otter.ai
Who it’s for: Students, interviewers and anyone who wants to read along as people speak.
Worth knowing: Ask permission before recording. Check names, numbers and action items.
Side-by-side comparison
| Fireflies | tl;dv | Otter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free transcription | Yes, with limited AI summaries and storage | Unlimited recordings and transcription | 300 minutes a month |
| Free AI notes | Limited | 10 meetings | Included within minutes |
| Platforms | Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams | Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams | Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams |
| Main limit | AI summary and storage limits | AI notes cap; data kept up to 3 months | Monthly minutes |
Pricing
| Plan | Fireflies | tl;dv | Otter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | US$0 | €0 | US$0: 300 min/month |
| If you outgrow it | Pro: US$10/seat/month billed annually (US$18 monthly) | Pro: €18/seat/month billed annually (€29 monthly) | Pro: US$8.33/month billed annually (US$16.99 monthly) |
Prices checked on 14 October 2026 from official pricing pages (fireflies.ai/pricing, tldv.io/app/pricing (tl;dv lists prices in euros, EUR) and otter.ai/pricing). Prices are shown as listed, in US dollars (USD) and euros (EUR). Australian prices, GST and app-store pricing can differ, and plans change often, so confirm on the provider’s site before you pay.
How to get started
Check whether your platform already includes AI notes: look for “Take notes for me” in Google Meet, or AI features in Zoom settings.
If not, sign up for one free plan with the Google or Microsoft account that holds your calendar.
Set it to join only meetings you choose, and tell everyone it’s recording.
After the call, correct names and numbers before sharing the transcript.
How we chose
We compared the free plans of popular AI note-takers using their official pricing pages, plus Google’s and Zoom’s help centres for built-in options. We haven’t run an accuracy benchmark, so test on a real, non-sensitive call.
Fireflies: free transcripts without a meeting cap
Fireflies (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission) joins scheduled Zoom, Google Meet and Teams calls from your Google or Outlook calendar and transcribes them. The free plan includes transcription with limited AI summaries and storage, which is enough if you mainly want a searchable written record. Fireflies supports one connected calendar per account. See how to use Fireflies.
tl;dv: free recordings and transcripts
tl;dv (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission)’s free plan includes unlimited recordings and transcription, with AI notes for 10 meetings and data kept for up to 3 months. It’s a good fit if you want to rewatch moments, not just read. See how to use tl;dv.
Otter: 300 free minutes with a live transcript
Otter’s free plan includes 300 transcription minutes a month and shows text as people speak, which suits lectures and interviews. Once you pass the minutes, you wait for the next month or upgrade.
Built-in options
Google Meet’s “Take notes for me” needs an eligible Google Workspace edition or Google AI plan, supports one spoken language per meeting and works best for meetings of 15 minutes or more. Zoom’s AI meeting summary depends on your Zoom plan and admin settings. If you already have either, it’s the simplest free route because there’s no bot to admit. See the best AI note-takers for Google Meet and Zoom.
Tips for a better free transcript
- Use a headset or a quiet room; background noise causes most errors.
- Ask people to say their names when they first speak.
- Avoid talking over each other, and summarise decisions out loud at the end.
- Keep a list of names, product terms and acronyms to check afterwards.
Consent and privacy
Tell everyone when a meeting or call is recorded and get their consent. Recording and surveillance laws vary between Australian states and territories, and the Privacy Act may apply to personal information you collect. Check where each tool stores recordings and transcripts, who can access them and how long they’re kept, and delete what you no longer need.
Who this isn’t for
- Legal, medical or court transcripts where you need certified accuracy: use a professional service.
- Meetings where anyone hasn’t consented to recording.
- Confidential calls your organisation hasn’t approved for AI tools.
Our verdict
Start with Fireflies free for transcripts across many meetings, tl;dv free if you want the video too, or Otter free for a live transcript. Try built-in Meet or Zoom notes first if your plan includes them. See also Otter vs Fireflies and the free AI note-taking tools for students.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free way to transcribe a meeting?
For many meetings, Fireflies’ free plan; for video plus transcript, tl;dv’s; for a live transcript, Otter’s 300 free minutes a month. Built-in Meet or Zoom AI notes may also be included in your plan.
Is Otter free?
Yes. Otter’s free plan includes 300 transcription minutes a month.
Is tl;dv free?
Yes. tl;dv’s free plan includes unlimited recordings and transcription, with AI notes for 10 meetings.
Can I transcribe Google Meet for free?
You can use a free plan from Fireflies, tl;dv or Otter. Google’s own “Take notes for me” needs an eligible Workspace edition or Google AI plan.
How accurate are free AI transcripts?
Usually good for clear audio, but they can mishear names, numbers and accents. Always check before sharing.
Do I need consent to transcribe a meeting?
Yes. Tell everyone and get consent; laws vary between Australian states and territories.
All best-tool guides → Find my AI tool ↗
This page includes paid links (we may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you). It doesn’t change our recommendations. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Prices are shown as marked: US dollars (US$) and euros (€). Australian GST and currency conversion may apply. Confirm the final price at checkout.