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Expert Review
Updated 2026-01-09

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.

7 tools compared5 min read8,100 monthly searches
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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

1Must be truly free (not just a trial)
2Accuracy of transcription
3Ease of use
4Export options
5No annoying limitations

Top 7 Tools Compared

Ranked by features, pricing, ease of use, and user reviews

🏆 Our Top Pick for 2026

Completely free YouTube transcript generator with no limits, no account required.

4.8
Free

Pros

  • 100% free
  • No limits
  • Instant results
  • Multiple export formats

⚠️ Cons

  • YouTube videos only
  • Requires captions

Best for: Anyone needing YouTube transcripts

#2

YouTube Built-in Transcript

Native YouTube feature for viewing video transcripts.

3.5
Free

Pros

  • Built-in
  • No tools needed

⚠️ Cons

  • Manual copy
  • Limited formatting

Best for: Quick one-off needs

#3

300 minutes per month of free transcription.

4.2
Free (300 min/mo)

Pros

  • Real-time transcription
  • Speaker ID
  • Searchable

⚠️ Cons

  • Limited minutes
  • Account required

Best for: Meeting transcription

#4

Google Docs Voice Typing

Use Google Docs to transcribe audio in real-time.

3.8
Free

Pros

  • Free with Google account
  • Good accuracy

⚠️ Cons

  • Real-time only
  • Manual process

Best for: DIY transcription

#5

Free web app for manual transcription with playback controls.

3.7
Free

Pros

  • No account
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Auto-save

⚠️ Cons

  • Manual typing required

Best for: Manual transcription

#6

Video editor with free transcription features.

3.6
Free (watermark)

Pros

  • Subtitle generation
  • Video editing

⚠️ Cons

  • Watermark on exports
  • Limited features

Best for: Video creators

#7

Online video editor with auto-transcription.

3.5
Free (watermark)

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

FeatureNoteLMYouTube Built-inOtter.aiGoogle Docs
Truly FreeYesYesLimitedYes
Account RequiredNoNoYesYes
Export OptionsTXT, SRTCopy onlyMultipleDoc

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.

Try Our Free Tools

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Written By

NoteLM Team

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.

AI/ML DevelopmentVideo ProcessingEducational Technology
Last verified: January 9, 2026