Automate Meeting Minutes: 17 Web Conference Transcription Apps

What? Are you still manually creating meeting minutes?

If that caught you off guard, then this guide to handy web conference and online meeting transcription tools is for you.

• Looking for a tool to automatically create minutes for web conferences (online meetings).
• Transcribing recorded audio manually afterwards is a hassle... I want to save time.
• I don't know which one to choose, so please tell me how to pick and recommend some apps!

This content is perfect for anyone with these concerns.

While we say "transcription app," they vary greatly in terms of pricing and features.

Even limiting it to those compatible with web conferences, there are so many options that it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.

Therefore, in this article, we will highlight as many web conference transcription apps (meeting minutes tools) as possible, along with a detailed explanation of the key points to consider when choosing one.

※We also summarize the transcription support status for popular web conferencing tools like Zoom and Teams.

The tools introduced here are all convenient solutions that are rapidly being adopted not only by innovative venture companies but also by major corporations and local governments.

By reading this article, you're sure to find the perfect transcription app that fits your needs, and your meeting minute creation process will be surprisingly streamlined.

Please read to the end.

Top 17 Recommended Apps and Web Services for Web Conference Transcription

Let's dive right into the apps and web services you can use for transcribing web (online) conferences!

1. Mojiokoshisan

'Mojiokoshisan' is a Japanese web transcription service that utilizes the latest AI technology.

Its greatest strength lies in its high-performance transcription AI, which delivers excellent accuracy.

Mojiokoshisan allows you to choose between two types of transcription AI:

• AmiVoice: Includes speaker diarization (transcribes by speaker), supports Japanese and English.
• PerfectVoice: Completes transcription in about 10 minutes, supports 100 languages.

When transcribing online web conferences, the "speaker diarization" feature in "AmiVoice" is particularly useful.

The AI automatically identifies who spoke, significantly reducing the effort needed to edit transcribed text files to show who said what.

It's very easy to use; while it doesn't have direct integration with Zoom or real-time transcription features, you can easily convert audio files to text by simply uploading them to your browser.

You can use it for free for up to 1 minute without registration or login, allowing you to check its transcription performance beforehand.

It supports not only audio but also video files, making it perfect for those who want to transcribe directly from recorded web conference data.

If you're unsure about transcription, we recommend trying 'Mojiokoshisan' first.

2. Google Docs

Google Docs also offers features that can be used for transcribing web conferences.

If you've never used a transcription app before, it's a good idea to start with this familiar tool.

To use it, simply select Tools → Voice typing from the menu bar. You can easily perform automatic transcription (voice input) by toggling the microphone button ON/OFF.

Note: Transcribing recorded audio data can be a bit cumbersome with this tool, so it's better to use other apps for that purpose.

Google Docs

3. Sloos

Sloos is a service that automatically transcribes audio.

It also includes a speaker diarization feature, which is useful for creating meeting minutes from web conferences.

The key advantage is its ability to distinguish multiple speakers with just one microphone, making it easier to review and edit the content later.

The accuracy of its speech recognition is also quite good. It's recommended for creating online meeting minutes with editing in mind.

Sloos

4. User Local Voice Meeting Minutes System

The User Local Voice Meeting Minutes System is a service that allows multiple people to easily use its transcription features by issuing and sharing a dedicated URL.

A unique feature is its ability to automatically analyze speech content and graph the proportions of positive/negative sentiments.

It also extracts frequently used words in conversations, which can be helpful for review.

This service specializes in creating meeting minutes for web (online) conferences and is a business-oriented service from a Japanese company, so you can use it with confidence.

Voice Meeting Minutes System (Free) - User Local

5. Talk To CSV

This is another online transcription service that can be accessed via a URL, surprisingly developed by an individual.

In addition to transcribing conversations, it can also temporarily record audio. The ability to input text chat is also a key feature.

The content is exported to a CSV file.

This makes it easy to edit in programs like Excel.

Talk To CSV

6. Smart Shoki

If you're looking for a web conference transcription tool to implement in your company, this one is highly recommended, given its extensive track record with large corporations and local governments.

A key feature of Smart Shoki is its extremely user-friendly editing functions.

The created meeting minutes can be exported to a Word file, streamlining subsequent document creation.

In addition to online use via a PC browser, it's also available as dedicated apps for iPhone and Android.

Smart Shoki

7. Onyaku

This tool is also recommended for cases involving frequent online interactions with international partners.

A key point is that it not only offers automatic transcription but also provides real-time translation.

The translation engine uses "T-3MT," a high-performance AI developed by Rosetta Corporation.

Another advantage is the variety of styles available to suit different usage environments, including a cloud version, PC installation type, and mobile version.

They also offer webinars that provide detailed explanations on how to use the service to address challenges specific to different industries and departments, making it ideal for companies using web conferencing.

when used for meeting minute transcription.

Onyaku

8. AI GIJIROKU

If you use Zoom for your web conferences, this service is also highly recommended.

As it boasts "the only Zoom integration in Japan," a major feature is that Zoom users can easily implement it.

It supports not only online meetings but also offline conferences.

The pricing plans are also finely divided, and you can try a preview for free, so give it a try first.

AI GIJIROKU

9. toruno

Windows users who want to easily transcribe online web conferences should also consider this tool provided by RICOH.

toruno is a simple tool that allows for automatic transcription with just 1-2 clicks, and it also includes a feature to capture and save the screen during meetings, in addition to audio and text.

In addition to individual use, a "Business Edition" suitable for team use is also available.

You can try the first 3 hours for free, making it perfect for those who want to compare usability with other tools.

toruno

10. Minutz

This web-based online transcription service was previously known as "ObotAI Minutes."

A major feature is that it uses Google's engine as a base, with its own unique speech processing and translation system.

It also includes a function that allows for customization to your environment, such as dictionary registration.

Another key point is that the site heavily promotes its robust security system.

The fact that it has a proven track record of implementation by local governments is also reassuring.

Minutz

11. COTOHA Meeting Assist

COTOHA Meeting Assist is an online transcription service for web conferences operated by NTT Communications.

As it's an NTT-affiliated service, it might be relatively well-known for business use.

Despite being a service provided by a major corporation, the pricing is relatively reasonable. It's excellent not only for creating meeting minutes but also as a comprehensive business support tool, as AI automatically recognizes pending items during speeches and labels them as "tasks."

Given its high recognition, it might be relatively easy to introduce it together with business partners.

COTOHA Meeting Assist

12. AmiVoice ScribeAssist

This can be considered the modern version of "AmiVoice," which was once a groundbreaking Japanese speech recognition software.

Its biggest feature is that it can be used standalone (offline).

The major advantage is that it can perform speech recognition without an internet connection, thereby minimizing the risk of information leakage.

Since recording, transcription, and editing are all completed within one software, you can proceed with your work smoothly.

It's also possible to display transcribed text as subtitles on the Zoom screen.

As a standalone application, its transcription accuracy may be inferior to online AI transcription services, but the low security risk is a significant advantage.

It's a valuable tool that can be used offline.

It's Windows-only and does not support Mac.

This is truly disappointing.

AmiVoice ScribeAssist

13. YouWire WebMeeting

This is the meeting transcription service for the call recording system, "YouWire."

A key feature of this service is its ability to simultaneously record both your voice and the other party's voice within a single application.

It also includes a function to automatically upload recorded files saved by Zoom to its speech recognition system.

The robust security measures to prevent tampering with or leakage of recorded data are also noteworthy. It truly lives up to its reputation as a reliable call recording service.

YouWire WebMeeting

14. ZMEETING

This is an AI meeting transcription online tool developed by Hmcomm, a venture company spun out of a national research and development agency.

A key feature of ZMEETING is that, in addition to real-time transcription, it also allows you to upload saved audio files later for text conversion.

Many web conferencing transcription tools prioritize real-time transcription, so the ability to upload files for transcription, similar to 'Mojiokoshi-san' introduced above, is a significant advantage.

It also includes a function to automatically remove unnecessary words like "um" and "uh" (filler word removal).

An academic version for students and educational institutions is also available, offering an affordable way to use the service.

This online service seems useful for multilingual lectures and seminars as well.

ZMEETING

15. Texta

This is another automatic transcription tool that supports both real-time and audio file processing.

Google Chrome web browser is required for use.

The biggest advantage is that it can be used regardless of device or environment, as long as you have Google Chrome.

Operations are very simple, allowing for easy recording, transcription, and text downloading.

As a straightforward online service, it's convenient even for beginners in transcription tools.

The pricing is very clear with a single plan of 30,000 yen for up to 100 hours.

Texta

16. Otter

Otter is an AI transcription service specialized in English.

If you only need to transcribe English web conference meetings, this is a highly recommended option.

A major feature is its highly accurate proprietary speech recognition engine.

Furthermore, for enterprise plans, seamless integration with Zoom is possible.

By logging in with the same account, you can record on your smartphone while viewing the text on a larger, more convenient computer screen.

If you're not confident in your English, using such specialized services is highly recommended.

Otter

17. Notta

If you're looking for flexible usage options to suit various scenarios, this transcription service is also recommended.

Notta is a transcription tool characterized by its highly functional and user-friendly smartphone app.

The browser version also offers a Chrome extension for transcribing audio content from web conferencing tools, and a dedicated "Notta Bot" for Zoom.

It's recommended to use the smartphone version for recording and transcribing in-person meetings, and the web version for online meetings, for optimal flexibility.

Notta

7 Key Points for Choosing a Transcription App

There are so many recommendations, I can't narrow it down to just one...

For those of you feeling overwhelmed, I've compiled a list of essential points to consider when choosing a transcription tool.

• Transcription Method
• Speech Recognition Engine (AI)
• Multiple Speaker Identification
• Web Conferencing Tool Integration
• Supported Languages
• Security
• Pricing

This might seem like a lot, but these are all very important checks, so let's go through them carefully.

1. Transcription Method

Transcription tools broadly fall into two categories:

• Converting audio files to text
• Real-time transcription (voice input)

Some services support both, but these tend to be more expensive.

If your use case is specific, it's best to choose a more specialized tool.

If you're looking for a service to upload audio files and convert them to text, 'Mojiokoshi-san' is recommended.

For real-time transcription services, you can find the perfect one from the services introduced in this article.

2. Speech Recognition Engine (AI)

The heart of any transcription tool is its AI speech recognition engine.

There are many types of AI speech recognition engines, including PerfectVoice and AmiVoice, which are used by 'Mojiokoshi-san'.

Well-known engines from major companies include those developed by Google, Microsoft, and IBM, but there are also systems uniquely developed and improved by various AI transcription service providers.

Different AIs excel in different domains, so if you can try samples, it's highly recommended to test various systems.

Specifically, for web conference transcription, check if the "speaker diarization" feature, which will be introduced next, is available.

3. Speaker Diarization (Feature to Identify Multiple Speakers)

Speaker diarization is a feature that provides AI transcription for each person speaking.

It automatically distinguishes between speakers, significantly reducing the effort required for transcribing online web conferences.

During meetings, multiple devices might record simultaneously. Some tools also have the ability to combine audio from multiple input sources and transcribe it per speaker.

This is convenient when reviewing meeting minutes later or compiling documents, so it's highly recommended to choose a web conference transcription service that includes this feature.

4. Web Conferencing Tool Integration

Most transcription tools operate as standalone applications, separate from web conferencing tools.

However, some are designed with more robust integration features to minimize complex operations.

It's easy to forget to launch the app or press the record button... utilizing these features is recommended to prevent such oversights.

5. Supported Languages

With increasing interactions with overseas clients and partners, not just in Japanese, multilingual support has become a crucial factor.

English is the most commonly supported language, but support for other languages is also growing.

There are also AI transcription services that support over 100 languages, so it's a good idea to check them out.

For example, 'Mojiokoshi-san' can transcribe 100 languages by using its PerfectVoice AI transcription engine.

Beyond just the supported languages of the speech recognition engine, some tools can even automatically translate simultaneously with transcription. Choose one that fits your needs.

6. Security

Transcribing web conferences involves handling important business communications.

Therefore, sufficient consideration for security is essential.

If complete security is a priority, you would need to record as an audio file and then use an offline (standalone) tool after the meeting. However, in practice, due to transcription accuracy, you'll often choose an online AI transcription service during the meeting.

When choosing an AI transcription service, check in advance what security measures the service implements.

For example, 'Mojiokoshi-san' implements various security measures as explained on this page.

Of course, even beyond using AI transcription services, make sure to take proper measures to prevent leakage of audio files and transcribed text files.

7. Pricing

Finally, the differences in pricing for each service are also a crucial point.

Some services offer free plans and paid plans, and even among paid services, pricing structures can vary significantly between corporate and individual users.

Depending on the plan, features such as the number of simultaneous meeting participants, additional functionalities, and level of support may change. Therefore, it's important to make a comprehensive judgment rather than just comparing simple price differences.

Furthermore, whether you can try it for free before actually paying is an important check.

When choosing an online AI transcription service for web conferences, it's recommended to test its accuracy before committing.

For example, 'Mojiokoshi-san' allows transcription for up to 1 minute without registration or login. Choosing an AI transcription service that you can try for free, like this, will help you avoid transcription failures.

Summary of Transcription Support for Popular Web Conferencing Tools

Don't web conferencing tools themselves have built-in transcription features?

For those with this question, we've researched the transcription support for various web conferencing tools, including Zoom.

Zoom

Zoom includes transcription features called "Subtitles" and "Full Transcript."

Their display methods differ as follows:

• Subtitles: Displays transcription like captions.
• Full Transcript: Displays in a chat-like format on the right side of the screen.

Previously, Zoom could only transcribe English, but since September 2022, it now supports Japanese transcription.

It's a convenient feature, so it's recommended to try using it in your web conferences in conjunction with the transcription services introduced in this article.

Microsoft Teams

On the desktop version, "Live Transcription" and "Cloud Recording Transcription" are available, both supporting Japanese.

View Live Transcription in Teams Meetings
Cloud Meeting Recording in Teams - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

Google Meet

While Google Meet's "Live Captions" feature previously didn't support Japanese, it now does.

Use captions and translated captions in Google Meet

Additionally, you can display Japanese captions by using the Chrome extension called 'Koemoji'.

Koemoji - Chrome Web Store

As shown, transcription tools are conveniently integrated as standard features in web conferencing apps.

However, to create official documents for meeting minutes from web conferences, dedicated transcription tools and services like those introduced in this article offer stronger advantages.

It's recommended to smartly handle transcription by complementing the strengths of both dedicated transcription tools/services and the transcription features of web conferencing tools.

Summary

This article explained tools that can perform automatic transcription of online web conferences.

In conclusion, it is highly recommended to implement a transcription app (meeting minutes tool) right away.

• AI advancements have dramatically improved speech recognition accuracy.
• Even with occasional errors, it's a significant time-saver compared to manual transcription from scratch.
• Time is money. It's best to use valuable time for more productive tasks.

If you aim to minimize unnecessary work and become a more efficient business professional, there's no reason not to use transcription tools.

In the future, AI will become even more indispensable in our daily lives and work. If you fall behind, you might find yourself significantly outpaced by competitors.

Please try out the many convenient tools of the future—or rather, the present.

■ AI transcription service "Mr. Transscription"

"Mr. Transcription" is an online transcription tool that can be used from zero initial cost and 1,000 yen per month (* free version available).

• Supports more than 20 file formats such as audio, video, and images
• Can be used from both PC and smartphone
• Supports technical terms such as medical care, IT, and long-term care
• Supports creation of subtitle files and speaker separation
• Supports transcription in approximately 100 languages ​​including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Italian, etc.

To use it, just upload the audio file from the site. Transcription text is available in seconds to tens of minutes.
You can use it for free if you transcribe it for up to 10 minutes, so please try it once.

It is "Mr. Transcription" who can easily transcribe from audio, video, and images. Transcription allows you to transcribe for up to 10 minutes for free. You can copy, download, search, delete, etc. the transcribed text. You can also create subtitle files, which is ideal for transcription of interview videos.

HP: mojiokoshi3.com
Email: mojiokoshi3.com@gmail.com