7 Best Free Transcription Tools for YouTube Videos (2026)
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Not everyone needs to pay for transcription. We tested all the free options available in 2026 to find the best free transcription tools for YouTube videos. Here's what we found.
Key Takeaways
- NoteLM is 100% free with no limits or account required
- YouTube has a built-in transcript feature (manual copy)
- Otter.ai offers 300 free minutes per month
- Most "free" tools have significant limitations
How We Evaluated
Top 7 Tools Compared
Ranked by features, pricing, ease of use, and user reviews
Quick Navigation
Completely free YouTube transcript generator with no limits, no account required.
Pros
- 100% free
- No limits
- Instant results
- Multiple export formats
⚠️ Cons
- •YouTube videos only
- •Requires captions
Best for: Anyone needing YouTube transcripts
YouTube Built-in Transcript
Native YouTube feature for viewing video transcripts.
Pros
- Built-in
- No tools needed
⚠️ Cons
- •Manual copy
- •Limited formatting
Best for: Quick one-off needs
Pros
- Real-time transcription
- Speaker ID
- Searchable
⚠️ Cons
- •Limited minutes
- •Account required
Best for: Meeting transcription
Google Docs Voice Typing
Use Google Docs to transcribe audio in real-time.
Pros
- Free with Google account
- Good accuracy
⚠️ Cons
- •Real-time only
- •Manual process
Best for: DIY transcription
Pros
- No account
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Auto-save
⚠️ Cons
- •Manual typing required
Best for: Manual transcription
Pros
- Subtitle generation
- Video editing
⚠️ Cons
- •Watermark on exports
- •Limited features
Best for: Video creators
Pros
- Auto transcription
- Video editing
⚠️ Cons
- •Watermark
- •Project limits
Best for: Quick video edits
Quick Comparison Table
Side-by-side feature comparison at a glance
| Feature | NoteLM | YouTube Built-in | Otter.ai | Google Docs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truly Free | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Account Required | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Export Options | TXT, SRT | Copy only | Multiple | Doc |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about these tools answered
NoteLM's Transcript Generator is the best completely free option for YouTube videos - no limits, no account required, instant results.
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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.