How to Transcribe a Meeting for Free on Windows¶
Are you looking for a way to get accurate transcripts of your Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls without paying for an expensive monthly subscription? In this guide, we'll show you how to use GOATLY to transcribe any meeting on Windows for free.
Why Use GOATLY on Windows?¶
Most meeting transcription tools charge a premium monthly fee or require you to invite a "bot" to your call. GOATLY is different: - No Bots: It records your system or microphone audio directly. - Privacy-First: Your recordings stay on your machine. - Cost-Effective: Use the managed free tier or your own API keys for unlimited free transcription.
Step 1: Install GOATLY¶
- Head over to the GOATLY Releases page.
- Download the
goatly-windows.zipfile. - Extract the folder and run
goatly.exe.
Step 2: Set Up Transcription¶
When you first launch GOATLY, you have two options: 1. Managed Mode (Easiest): Sign in with your Google or Email account. GOATLY will handle the API keys for you, and you get ~500 minutes free every month. 2. Open Source Mode: If you have your own FAL.ai and OpenRouter keys, click the Key Icon in the top bar and paste them in. This gives you 100% control.
Step 3: Record Your Meeting¶
- Open your meeting software (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
- In GOATLY, click the Microphone Icon.
- The icon will turn red, indicating that it is recording. Note: Ensure your microphone is correctly selected in your Windows sound settings.
- Conduct your meeting as usual.
Step 4: Transcribe and Summarize¶
- When the meeting is over, click the Stop button in GOATLY.
- The app will automatically begin transcribing the audio using the FAL Wizper model.
- Once finished, click Summarize to generate a concise list of key points and action items.
Step 5: Search and Export¶
All your meetings are saved locally. You can use the search bar at the top to find specific keywords across all your past transcripts instantly.
Conclusion¶
Transcribing meetings on Windows doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. With GOATLY, you get a powerful, private, and free solution that works across all your favorite meeting platforms.