How to Transcribe Zoom Calls Automatically?

Transcribing Zoom calls manually is time-consuming and error-prone. Fortunately, you can automate this process using either Zoom's built-in transcription feature or more powerful third-party AI tools.

This article presents both methods and helps you choose the one that's right for you.

Method 1: Transcribing Zoom Calls Using Zoom's Built-in Transcription

Let's start with what Zoom offers natively. Zoom provides audio transcription that automatically transcribes the audio of meetings or webinars that you record to the cloud.

What do you need to get started?

Before diving in, you'll need:

• Zoom account type: Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account (basic free plan doesn't include transcription)

• Cloud recording enabled: Transcription only works with cloud recordings

• Admin permissions: Depending on your organization's setup

Beyond transcription, if you’re looking to learn more about Zoom’s meeting summaries feature, we have a detailed Zoom AI Companion Review you might want to check out.

How to set up Zoom’s built-in transcription?

1. Log into your Zoom web portal

2. Navigate to Settings → Recording

3. Toggle on "Cloud Recording"

4. Under Cloud Recording section, check "Audio transcript" box

5. Go to Settings → Meeting → In Meeting (Advanced)

6. Find "Automated captions" and toggle it on

7. Enable "Full transcript" for running transcript alongside captions

8. Save all changes

How to Turn On Zoom’s Native Transcription Feature During a Meeting? 

1. Start your Zoom meeting

2. Click "Record" and select "Record to the Cloud"

3. For live transcription, click "Live Transcript" in the toolbar and select "Enable"

4. Zoom automatically generates a transcript after the meeting ends

5. You receive an email with links to the recording and transcript (VTT format)

Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools to Transcribe Zoom Calls

While there are many excellent options available (check out our comprehensive guide on the best AI notetakers for Zoom for a detailed comparison), we highly recommend Hyprnote—not just as a transcription tool, but as a complete AI notetaking solution.

What is Hyprnote?

Hyprnote is a privacy-first local AI notepad for meetings that goes far beyond simple transcription. Unlike cloud-based alternatives, Hyprnote runs entirely on your device, ensuring that not a single byte of your data leaves your computer. This makes it perfect for:

• Privacy-sensitive conversations: Healthcare professionals, lawyers, counselors, and anyone handling confidential information

• Compliance-heavy industries: Organizations meeting HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, or CCPA requirements

• Reliable offline functionality: Works perfectly without internet connectivity

• Universal compatibility: Works with all meeting platforms without requiring bots

On top of it all, Hyprnote not only transcribes your meeting in real-time, but also generates actionable summaries automatically, without any bots joining your call. Let’s see how!

How Does Hyprnote Transcribe Zoom Meetings Automatically?

Here’s a step-by-step process to use Hyprnote for real-time Zoom transcription and note-taking. 

Step 1: Download and Install the Hyprnote App

1. Visit hyprnote.com and click "Download"

2. Download the macOS app (Windows coming August 2025)

3. Open the DMG file and drag Hyprnote to your Applications folder

4. Launch Hyprnote from Applications

Step 2: Start Recording Your Meeting

1. Open Hyprnote before or during your Zoom call

2. Press the red recording button to start listening

3. Hyprnote captures both system audio (speakers/headphones) and your microphone

4. Real-time transcript appears in the right panel as people speak

5. Important: Always ask for consent, especially in all-party consent states like California

Step 3: Let AI Create Your Notes

1. After your meeting ends, press the stop button

2. Hyprnote automatically processes the transcript using its custom HyperLLM-V1 model

3. AI generates a personalized summary with key points, action items, and insights

4. Review and edit the enhanced notes as needed

5. Export in multiple formats (Markdown, PDF, Rich text)

Why choose Hyprnote over Zoom's native transcription?

The differences become clear when you compare what you get with each approach:

1. Accuracy and Reliability

Source

While Zoom users report spending hours editing 45-60 minute transcripts due to poor accuracy and formatting issues, Hyprnote's advanced AI models provide superior transcription quality with minimal manual cleanup required.

2. Privacy and Control

Zoom processes your conversations in the cloud, raising compliance concerns for sensitive industries. Hyprnote keeps everything on your device; not a single byte of your data leaves your computer. 

3. Intelligence vs. Basic Text

Zoom gives you raw transcript files that require manual organization. Hyprnote delivers structured notes with automatic extraction of key points, decisions, and action items.

4. Long-term Value

Zoom transcripts sit in isolation, difficult to search across meetings or connect insights over time. Hyprnote builds a searchable knowledge base where you can find patterns, track decisions, and understand the evolution of projects.

5. Interactive Intelligence

Zoom gives you static transcript files. Hyprnote lets you have conversations with your meeting notes through AI chat—ask "What are my action items?" or "What exactly did Sarah say about the budget?" and get instant answers without scrolling through pages of text.

6. Flexibility

Zoom locks you into their ecosystem and processing limitations. Hyprnote works with any meeting platform, offers custom templates, and gives you complete deployment flexibility, from local-only processing, on-premises deployment to private cloud options.

And did we mention? Hyprnote offers its core features, including unlimited AI summaries and transcription free forever. Why not give it a try?

Download Hyprnote for macOS

Best Practices for Automatic Zoom Transcription and Note-Taking

Regardless of which method you choose, here are tips to get the best results:

Audio Quality Optimization

• Use a quality microphone or headset

• Choose quiet environments for meetings

• Ask participants to mute when not speaking

• Speak clearly and avoid overlapping conversations

Meeting Preparation

• Test your setup before important meetings

• Inform participants about recording and transcription

• Consider a quick audio test to check levels

Post-Meeting Workflow

• Review AI-generated notes for accuracy and completeness

• Edit important details, names, and technical terms

• Organize notes in your preferred system

• Share relevant sections with team members

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to get Zoom transcript without recording?

Unfortunately, Zoom's native transcription feature only works with cloud recordings. You cannot generate transcripts from Zoom without recording the meeting first. 

However, third-party tools like Hyprnote can capture and transcribe your Zoom audio in real-time without requiring you to record the meeting to Zoom's cloud servers.

2. Where are Zoom transcripts stored?

Zoom transcripts are stored in Zoom's cloud servers alongside your recorded meetings. You can access them through the Zoom web portal under "Recordings." 

The transcripts are saved in VTT format, which you can download and convert to other formats like Word documents or PDFs. This cloud storage raises privacy concerns for sensitive meetings.

3. What's the best alternative to Zoom's transcription?

For privacy-conscious users, Hyprnote offers the best alternative with its local-first approach; no data ever leaves your device. 

For those comfortable with cloud processing, other popular alternatives include Otter AI, Fathom, and Tactiq. Check out our comprehensive guide on the best AI notetakers for Zoom for a detailed comparison

4. How accurate is Zoom's native transcription?

Zoom's transcription accuracy has significant issues. 

Users report that the transcription is highly inaccurate with problems including incorrect speaker identification, common words needing editing even with clear speech, and frequent formatting errors.

5. Can I transcribe Zoom calls offline?

Zoom's native transcription requires an internet connection and cloud processing, so it cannot work offline. 

However, Hyprnote can transcribe Zoom calls completely offline using local AI models, making it perfect for situations with unreliable internet.

6. Do I need a paid Zoom account for transcription?

Yes, Zoom's transcription feature requires a Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account. The basic free Zoom plan does not include transcription capabilities. 

In contrast, Hyprnote offers unlimited transcription and AI summaries free forever, regardless of your Zoom account type.