How to Transcribe Meetings Automatically with Otter.ai

Otter.ai is an app that listens to conversations and turns the spoken words into written text automatically. This is called transcription. If you have ever wished you could go back and read exactly what was said in a meeting, a doctor's appointment, a class, or a phone call, Otter.ai makes that possible.

The app works in real time — as people talk, the words appear on your screen. After the conversation ends, you have a full written transcript you can search, highlight, and share. Otter also tries to identify who said what, labeling different speakers so you can tell voices apart.

The free plan gives you 300 minutes of transcription per month, which is enough for most casual users. If you attend a lot of meetings or record long conversations, the paid plans offer more minutes and extra features like automatic Zoom meeting transcription.

You can use Otter.ai two ways: you can record a live conversation directly inside the app, or you can upload an audio file you already recorded (like a voice memo) and Otter will transcribe it for you.

Otter.ai is useful for people who have trouble keeping up with note-taking during fast conversations, anyone who wants an accurate record of what was agreed upon in a meeting, students who want to review lectures, or caregivers who want to keep notes from medical appointments. The transcript search feature is especially handy — you can search for any word or phrase and jump right to that moment in the conversation.