Best Happy Scribe Alternative 2026
Free YouTube Transcription Without Per-Minute Pricing
NoteLM is a free Happy Scribe alternative for YouTube videos. While Happy Scribe charges per minute for transcription, NoteLM extracts YouTube transcripts free and adds AI-powered summarization with timestamps.
Key Takeaways
- Price
NoteLM: Free to Use
- YouTube Transcripts
NoteLM: Yes (free)
- Human Proofreading
NoteLM: No
- Happy Scribe charges $0.20/min for AI transcription
- NoteLM extracts YouTube transcripts completely free
- Happy Scribe offers human proofreading at premium rates
NoteLM vs Happy Scribe
See how we compare feature by feature.
| Feature | Happy Scribe | NoteLM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.20/min AI, $1.95/min Human | Free to Use |
| YouTube Transcripts | Yes (paid) | Yes (free) |
| Human Proofreading | Yes | No |
| AI Summarization | Limited | Full featured |
| Multi-language | 120+ languages | 50+ languages |
| File Upload | Yes | YouTube only |
Why Choose NoteLM Over Happy Scribe
Key reasons to make the switch.
Completely Free
No per-minute charges. Get unlimited YouTube transcripts.
AI Summarization
Not just transcripts – get summaries with timestamps.
Instant Results
Get transcripts and summaries in seconds.
No Account Needed
Just your API key – no sign up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Happy Scribe
Is NoteLM free compared to Happy Scribe?
Yes, NoteLM is completely free for YouTube transcripts. Happy Scribe charges $0.20/minute for AI transcription and $1.95/minute for human transcription.
Can NoteLM transcribe uploaded files like Happy Scribe?
NoteLM specializes in YouTube videos. For uploaded audio/video files, Happy Scribe remains a good option.
Written By
The NoteLM team specializes in AI-powered video summarization and learning tools. We are passionate about making video content more accessible and efficient for learners worldwide.
Sources & References
Ready to Switch to NoteLM?
Join thousands of users who have switched from Happy Scribe to NoteLM. 100% free, no subscription required.