Otter AI Free Transcription Guide 2026
How to set up and use Otter AI free transcription effectively
Quick Answer
To use Otter AI free transcription: sign up at otter.ai, connect your calendar or meeting platform (Zoom/Teams/Meet), and Otter will automatically join and transcribe your meetings. Remember the 300-minute monthly limit and 30-minute per-meeting cap on the free plan.
Getting Started Step by Step
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to otter.ai and sign up with your email, Google, or Microsoft account. No credit card required for the free plan.
Step 2: Connect Your Calendar
Link Google Calendar or Outlook so Otter knows when your meetings are scheduled. This enables auto-join.
Step 3: Install Integrations
Add the Otter bot to Zoom, install the Chrome extension for Google Meet, or connect Microsoft Teams.
Step 4: Test It Out
Start a test meeting and verify Otter joins and transcribes. Check speaker identification is working.
Free Plan Limits to Remember
- 300 minutes/month: Track your usage in Settings > Usage
- 30 minutes/meeting: Longer meetings get cut off
- 3 file imports total: Use them wisely for important recordings
- 25 conversations kept: Oldest get deleted automatically
Best Practices for Free Users
Optimize Your Minutes
- • Only record essential meetings
- • Keep calls under 30 minutes
- • End recordings when done
- • Check usage weekly
Get Better Transcripts
- • Speak clearly and avoid crosstalk
- • Use good microphones
- • Label speakers correctly
- • Review and edit after
When to Upgrade
Consider upgrading from Otter Basic if you find yourself:
- •Running out of minutes before month end
- •Missing the end of meetings due to 30-min cap
- •Needing to export to PDF or Word
- •Wanting to import more than 3 files