Transcribe Video for Free
Yes, you can transcribe a video for free using ScreenApp. Upload any MP4, AVI, MOV, or WebM video file, or paste a YouTube URL, and get an accurate text transcript in minutes. Unlike ChatGPT and other AI chatbots that cannot process video files, this video to text converter extracts spoken words directly from recordings with 99% AI accuracy.
The tool identifies different speakers automatically, adds timestamps to every sentence, and exports your transcript as TXT, DOC, PDF, or SRT subtitles. Free tier includes 3 videos per month up to 45 minutes each, with all features included - no watermarks, no hidden limits.
Trusted by 2 million users. All uploads are encrypted with TLS 1.3, processed securely on SOC 2 compliant infrastructure, and automatically deleted after 30 days. No credit card required for free tier.
Why users choose ScreenApp to extract text from video:
- Get text from video in 2-3 minutes processing time
- Copy text from video with one-click clipboard export
- Take text from video with speaker identification included
- 100+ language support with automatic detection
- Works in browser - no software downloads needed
- Direct YouTube URL support - paste and transcribe instantly
Upload files directly or paste video URLs from YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, and Instagram. Most videos finish processing in 2-3 minutes regardless of length.
How to Extract Text from Video
Extract text from video online in three steps:
-
Upload your video - Drag a file or paste a YouTube URL, Vimeo link, TikTok video, or Instagram post. The video text extractor accepts MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MKV, and WebM files.
-
AI extracts text automatically - Speech recognition processes your video in 2-3 minutes. It identifies different speakers, adds timestamps to every sentence, and generates searchable text.
-
Copy text from video - Copy directly to clipboard with one click, or export as TXT, DOC, PDF, or SRT subtitle file. Edit the transcript in-browser before exporting.
Free tier handles videos up to 45 minutes. Paste any video URL and the tool fetches and transcribes it without requiring a download first. No email verification or account setup needed to start.
Video to Text Converter Comparison
| Feature | ScreenApp | VEED.io | Otter.ai | Happy Scribe | Trint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 3 videos/month | 30 min/month | 600 min/month | 30 min trial | 5 hours |
| Free limitations | No watermarks | Watermarks | 40 min per file | Credit card required | Limited features |
| Paid pricing | $19/month (annual) | Starter: $12/month | Pro: $8.33/month | Lite: $9/month | Starter: $15/month |
| Unlimited transcription | Business: $34/month | Pro: $24/month | Business: $12/month | Pro: $19/month | Professional: $30/month |
| Accuracy | 99% AI | 98.5% AI | 96% AI | 85% AI / 99% human | 90% AI (requires editing) |
| YouTube URL support | Yes (direct paste) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Speaker identification | Yes (automatic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | 100+ | 125+ | 30+ (auto-detect) | 120+ | 54 |
| No signup required | Yes (for trial) | No | No | No | No |
| Export formats | TXT, DOC, PDF, SRT | SRT, VTT, TXT | TXT | Multiple | Multiple |
| Security | TLS 1.3, SOC 2 | TLS encryption | 2FA available | GDPR compliant | ISO 27001 |
Key differences:
- vs VEED.io: VEED Starter costs $12/month with 5 hours of transcription monthly and includes video editing features. ScreenApp at $19/month annual provides 99% accuracy transcription, direct YouTube URL support, and meeting recording tools. VEED suits creators who need editing alongside transcription; ScreenApp excels at pure transcription accuracy.
- vs Otter.ai: Otter.ai Pro costs $8.33/month with 600 free minutes monthly but now supports 30+ languages (improved from 3). ScreenApp at $19/month annual supports 100+ languages, allows direct URL transcription from any platform, and maintains 99% accuracy vs Otter’s 96%. Otter specializes in live meeting capture; ScreenApp handles all video formats.
- vs Happy Scribe: Happy Scribe Lite costs $9/month for 5 hours with 85% AI accuracy. Human-verified accuracy (99%) costs extra per minute. ScreenApp at $19/month annual achieves 99% accuracy with AI alone, includes direct YouTube URL support, and requires no credit card for free trial. Happy Scribe suits users who need human verification; ScreenApp delivers high accuracy without extra cost.
- vs Trint: Trint Starter costs $15/month for 5 hours, targeting journalists and media professionals. ScreenApp at $19/month annual provides the same 99% AI accuracy with better real-world performance (Trint’s 90% accuracy requires manual cleanup). Business tier at $34/month is still cheaper than Trint’s Professional at $30/month while offering more accurate initial output.
Who Needs to Extract Text from Video
Content creators extract text from video to create blog posts, YouTube descriptions, and social media captions. Transcribing a 20-minute video produces 3,000+ words of raw content to repurpose across platforms. Copy text from video directly to your clipboard and paste into any editor.
Students and educators transcribe video for free to convert lecture recordings into searchable study notes. The video text extractor timestamps every sentence, so you can jump to the exact moment a professor covered a topic. Works with recorded Zoom classes, YouTube lectures, and screen recordings.
Journalists and researchers pull quotes from video interviews in seconds. Use the video to text converter to get exact quotes, then copy text from video to clipboard or download the full transcript as a DOC file for your article. Speaker identification makes attribution accurate.
Businesses create meeting minutes, training documentation, and compliance records from video recordings. The tool helps you take text from video conferences, presentations, and webinars. Speaker labels identify who said what, making it easy to assign action items.
FAQ
Can I transcribe a video for free?
Yes. Upload any video file or paste a YouTube URL to transcribe for free. The free tier includes 3 videos per month up to 45 minutes each, with full features including speaker identification, timestamps, and all export formats. No credit card required.
How do I extract text from video?
Upload your video file or paste a URL, then wait 2-3 minutes for AI processing. The video text extractor automatically transcribes speech, identifies speakers, and adds timestamps. Click the copy button to get text from video instantly, or download as TXT, DOC, PDF, or SRT.
How accurate is video to text conversion?
ScreenApp achieves 99% accuracy on clear audio using AI speech recognition. Accuracy depends on audio quality - clear recordings with minimal background noise produce the best results. Multiple speakers and accents are handled automatically.
How do I copy text from video?
After transcription finishes, click the copy button to send the full transcript to your clipboard. You can also select specific sections to copy, edit the text in-browser before copying, or download the complete transcript as a file.
Is it safe to transcribe videos online?
Yes. All uploads are encrypted with TLS 1.3 and processed on SOC 2 compliant infrastructure. Videos are automatically deleted after 30 days. Your data is never sold or shared with third parties, and you retain full ownership of all transcripts.
What video formats can be converted to text?
MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MKV, and WebM files are supported. You can also paste video URLs from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and most other video platforms. The tool fetches and transcribes URLs without requiring downloads.
Does it support multiple languages?
Yes, 100+ languages including Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, and Hindi. The AI auto-detects the spoken language, or you can select it manually before transcribing. No language limits on free tier.
Can I get speaker identification?
Yes. Speaker identification runs automatically and labels each speaker separately. Every sentence is timestamped and linked to its position in the video. This works best with clear audio and distinct voices. No manual setup required.
How long does video to text conversion take?
Most videos process in 2-3 minutes regardless of length. A 45-minute lecture and a 2-minute clip take roughly the same processing time. Processing starts immediately after upload with no queue delays.
What export formats are available?
TXT (plain text), DOC (Microsoft Word), PDF, and SRT (subtitle format). The tool also generates a shareable link. You can copy the full transcript to clipboard at any time or export in multiple formats simultaneously.