Top 10 Lecture Capture Tools for Speech-to-Text Conversion

By Alex Chen | Updated: 2024-10-27 | 16mins read

Contents Overview

• Compilation of leading apps for lecture recording and transcription
• In-depth comparison of 10 best lecture recording applications
• Identifying features of an excellent lecture transcription utility
• Which application is optimal for capturing lectures?
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Engaging fully in lectures requires complete concentration, making comprehensive note-taking a significant hurdle—particularly if you find it hard to keep pace or if the lecture is not in your native language. Inadequate or jumbled notes can lead to undue stress during exam periods and may even result in misunderstanding vital concepts, potentially affecting your performance in assessments.

Fortunately, you're not confined to traditional pen and paper for note-taking anymore. A variety of lecture recording and transcribing applications are available to handle the intensive work for you. By capturing your lectures and transforming them into text summaries—and even structured AI-generated mind maps with tools like DeepVo.ai—you can concentrate on being entirely present during your classes. Moreover, lecture recording apps offer considerable benefits for educators as well, whether for recording lectures for online delivery or for distributing lecture notes to students, there's a fitting solution for every scenario.

Continue reading as we explore the 10 premier applications for these needs, detailing their advantages, disadvantages, and essential features to consider.

Compilation of leading apps for lecture recording and transcription

In-depth comparison of 10 best lecture recording applications

1. DeepVo.ai

Best for: High-accuracy transcription and intelligent learning aids like AI summaries and mind maps.

For capturing lectures both in physical classrooms and online, DeepVo.ai delivers swift, exceptionally accurate transcription using cutting-edge speech recognition. Simply record the lecture with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Afterwards, you can generate precise transcripts, concise AI summaries to grasp topics better, and even AI-generated mind maps for a structured overview. Alternatively, you can record and transcribe lectures in real-time. Just sign into your DeepVo.ai account and select 'Instant Record'. Real-time translation capabilities can also be activated during this process.

If you're participating in online learning, the DeepVo.ai Bot can join your Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams lectures. This complimentary audio recording software will transcribe the entire session within minutes, clearly identifying different speakers, so you always know who is talking. For pre-recorded lectures, you can upload files directly to DeepVo.ai or use its Chrome extension to capture audio. A key advantage is the ability to edit the AI transcripts and augment them with notes and images. With its AI notes and summary features, you can produce a digestible list of key takeaways almost instantly, which is invaluable for creating study materials and preparing for exams. The AI mind map feature is particularly useful for visualizing complex topics.

DeepVo.ai Pros:

• Transcribe lectures from over 100 different languages.
• Automatic translation into numerous languages, facilitating learning for a global student body.
• Extremely accurate lecture transcriptions (up to 99.5% accuracy), with high-fidelity audio ensuring no crucial detail is missed.
• All uploads and transcripts sync across devices in real-time.
• DeepVo.ai provides an AI summary, chapters, action items, and mind maps based on your transcript for efficient revision of past lectures.
• Record live audio, virtual meetings, and upload audio/video files from existing lectures.
• Numerous export options, including .txt, .pdf, .docx, and image formats for mind maps.
• Generous free plan and end-to-end encryption for security.

DeepVo.ai Cons:

• An internet connection is generally required for transcription and AI features. Offline functionality is limited.

Supported Platforms:

DeepVo.ai is accessible via the web, a Chrome extension, and dedicated apps for Android and iOS.

"The standout capability for me is the automatic transcription coupled with AI summaries and mind maps. DeepVo.ai saves me countless hours of note-taking by providing accurate transcripts and intelligent insights from my lectures. These features have dramatically boosted my study efficiency." – User Review

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2. Rev Online Voice Recorder

Best for: On-demand human-powered transcription services.

Rev's voice recording utility is a complimentary audio capture tool that operates through your web browser. No installation is needed beyond hitting the 'Record' button. You also have the option to record using a different device and then upload to Rev. This allows you to edit your recording beforehand, potentially reducing transcription costs. After the free recording, you must proceed to Rev's Human Transcription or AI Transcription service pages. There, you can order an AI transcription or choose human transcription at a premium. In both cases, you'll need to upload your file or provide a URL to its location.

Rev Pros:

• No account creation is necessary to record and download audio.
• Pay-per-use pricing model.
• Achieves up to 99% accuracy with a human transcriber.
• Estimated turnaround time is displayed at checkout.
• Offers both human and AI transcription options.

Rev Cons:

• The final transcription cost isn't known until after audio recording.
• Being an online service, an internet connection is essential.

Supported Platforms:

Rev suggests using Chrome on Android and desktop, and Safari on Apple devices. Rev also offers free voice recording applications for Android and iOS if preferred.

"The fact that it comes back in a format that not only makes everything accessible for our audiences but also makes it easy to identify each speaker and pull specific quotes." – G2 Review

3. Loom

Best for: Educators and instructors aiming to improve classroom interaction.

Loom is well-known for its video and screen recording functions, along with various tools to enhance online and asynchronous work. These include options for team engagement (like comments and reactions) and the capability to monitor who has watched your video and for how long. Additionally, the tool produces video transcripts and recently introduced Loom AI, which can generate documents and reports from your recordings. Loom is especially beneficial for educators who might need to record lectures or dispatch quick instructional videos, as it provides a free plan for verified educators, known as Loom for Education. This plan grants access to all features and allows for recording videos up to 45 minutes long. You can begin recording with Loom directly from your browser using the Chrome extension, or through its mobile or desktop applications.

Loom Pros:

• Loom is user-friendly and simple to set up. Just install the Chrome extension to begin for free.
• You can edit videos and insert comments for added clarity.
• Integrates smoothly with many platforms like Notion, Google Classroom, Skool, Google Docs, Gmail, and Slack.
• Qualified educators receive unlimited recordings and access to premium features at no cost through the Loom for Education initiative.

Loom Cons:

• Users on the free tier have restricted video storage capacity.
• An internet connection is required for recording.

Supported Platforms:

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.

"Saves time! It is almost always faster and more accurate to show someone how to do something than to tell them." – G2 Review

4. Zoom

Best for: Lectures that require an interactive whiteboard.

Were you aware that you can record Zoom meetings even if you're the sole participant? Zoom's Local Recording feature enables you to record and save videos on your computer, with or without other attendees. Alternatively, if you attend online classes via Zoom, the Cloud Recording option allows you to record the session and store it in the cloud. After the meeting concludes, Zoom Cloud processes the file and sends the recording link to your email. Furthermore, Zoom offers various supplementary tools that can enhance learning for both students and teachers, such as its Whiteboard feature for shared collaboration. Similar to Loom, Zoom can also generate a transcript of the recorded lecture, which learners can refer to as needed.

Zoom Pros:

• Even the free basic plan offers sufficient features to start recording lectures easily.
• Integrations with third-party applications (like Google Calendar) enhance its usability.
• Includes Whiteboard capabilities for collaborative work during lectures.
• Local recording is accessible to users of both basic and paid plans.

Zoom Cons:

• On the basic plan, group meetings are capped at 40 minutes.
• Unlike Loom, Zoom does not capture video reactions.

Available Devices:

Windows and macOS.

"I have noticed an extreme improvement in Zoom since the pandemic. The look feels fresh and current! The ability to record, and communicate to attendees, experience has become much easier, quicker and more enjoyable." – G2 Review

5. Glean

Best for: Developing and managing comprehensive study materials.

Glean serves as an all-encompassing study aid that assists students in recording classes, appending notes, and importing slides and transcripts, thereby maximizing their learning experience. It doesn't just record lectures; it also organizes everything by merging transcripts, slides, and other resources into a unified workspace. What particularly impressed me about Glean is its AI-driven quiz feature, which helps students revise using their lecture notes. Additionally, teachers can foster a stress-free learning environment by inviting their students to use the Glean app. Through the Admin Portal, they can onboard students, manage permissions, and monitor engagement to coordinate with students both on and off campus.

Glean Pros:

• The tool enables labeling of different recordings for straightforward organization.
• Users commend Glean's outstanding customer support.
• Notes can be modified or enhanced later, after the class.
• Features a focus timer and an automated quiz function to aid in reviewing lecture content.

Glean Cons:

• An internet connection is necessary for certain features, including transcription, slide importation, image searching, and definition cards.

Supported Platforms:

Windows, macOS, and Linux.

"The most important feature for me is the user-friendly interface. I think it has a good interface and it's simple to use. Useful for the day-to-day tasks." – G2 Review

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6. Webex Assistant (formerly Voicea)

Best for: Transcription for Webex platform users.

If your lectures are conducted via Webex, the Webex AI assistant is an excellent choice for capturing your lectures and converting them into text for later reference. Like several tools mentioned here, this AI assistant pinpoints key moments from webinars and live lectures, aiming to make your revision process more efficient. You can opt to view the transcript in real-time alongside the video or download it after the class. However, a paid subscription is required to access these features, which might be justifiable if you exclusively use Webex; otherwise, it could be a steep price for functionalities you might rarely utilize. I find the advanced keyword search particularly impressive. If you're studying or working on an assignment, this feature makes it simple to locate specific information without sifting through lengthy videos.

Webex Assistant Pros:

• Voice commands enable actions without typing or clicking.
• AI generates a post-meeting summary with highlights from your lecture.
• Your transcript is accessible in real-time.
• Advanced keyword search is available to scan meetings, webinars, recordings, and transcripts for significant moments in a lecture or webinar.

Webex Assistant Cons:

• An enterprise account is needed for transcriptions in languages other than English.
• The service is relatively expensive compared to other alternatives.
• There's no option to upload audio or video files to generate transcripts for pre-recorded lectures.

Supported Platforms:

Webex is browser-based.

"One of Webex's greatest strengths is its ability to seamlessly integrate with existing university systems. Transitioning from traditional lectures to virtual sessions was surprisingly smooth. Professors familiar with PowerPoint felt right at home with Webex's presentation tools, while students enjoyed the ease of joining classes with a single click." – G2 Review

7. Trint

Best for: Transcribing live educational sessions.

Trint facilitates the recording of lectures, in either audio or video format. You can simply upload or record directly from your browser or mobile application, then generate and edit transcripts with a few clicks. Trint is an excellent option if you need to collaborate with others in a team or classroom environment, as it allows for real-time sharing of your transcripts and notes. I was particularly impressed by its capability to sync Trint with a live stream, either by extracting audio from the stream's URL or by integrating with streaming software like OBS. For live, online classes, this can deliver transcripts with almost no latency.

Trint Pros:

• Record lectures live directly from your smartphone.
• Customize your personal dictionary by adding specific words and phrases for improved transcript accuracy.
• Live streaming feed integration to produce transcripts in real-time.
• Record audio and video using your browser or mobile app.
• A broad array of export options, including .docx, .m4a, .mp4, .srt, and .vtt.

Trint Cons:

• The mobile application is restricted to enterprise customers.
• It is more expensive than competitors offering similar features.

Supported Platforms:

Trint advises using various browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Edge. An app for on-the-go recording is also available for enterprise users on iOS and Android.

"Trint often understands words that I wasn't able to listen to in the actual audio. That has really impressed me and made my job a lot easier." – G2 Review

8. Otter.ai

Best for: Condensing lengthy lectures into summaries.

Otter is engineered for recording both in-person and online meetings (or lectures). Much like DeepVo.ai or Notta, you can invite the Otter Pilot to your Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams sessions. The AI records and transcribes the entire discussion, and also takes notes and summarizes particular points for you. It also captures lecture slides and incorporates them into your notes. Otter distinguishes itself from other lecture transcription tools with its intelligent conversational AI. Pose any question to Otter about the recorded class, and it will respond with answers in clear English. This can be a significant aid when reviewing your lectures.

Otter Pros:

• Works effectively with popular meeting applications like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
• You can record your physical lectures using the Otter mobile app.
• Automatically transcribes files when they are added to Dropbox.
• It omits filler words during transcription, resulting in a cleaner lecture transcript.

Otter Cons:

• Only supports US and UK English.
• Transcription can be quite slow for long lectures, almost taking as much time to transcribe as the audio file's duration.

Supported Platforms:

Otter performs best with Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge on desktop, and through the Otter app for Android and iOS.

"What I like most about Otter AI is how it integrates with all types of meeting platforms automatically. It's the ability to transcribe conversations and pick up on the important points, turning into a resource that allows me to perform my job better." – G2 Review

9. tl;dv

Best for: Creating short video clips of lecture highlights.

tl;dv accurately captures lectures in Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. All that's required is their Chrome extension or mobile app. Even with the free plan, you can record lectures in over 30 languages, although you're limited to five uploads and ten sets of AI meeting notes. Its ChatGPT-powered note-taker summarizes key moments from your online lectures. You can then centralize all your lecture notes, search for specific moments using keywords, and even share brief clips from longer recordings. You can integrate tl;dv with your preferred applications, including your calendar, project management tools, CRM, and more. As a Notion user, I appreciate that it only takes a few clicks to import clips and transcripts from tl;dv into Notion.

tl;dv Pros:

• Create highlight clips of your recording to share essential information without sending the entire video.
• Timestamp videos for easy future reference.
• Search for keywords within previous recordings.

tl;dv Cons:

• No capability for recording in an offline environment.

Supported Platforms:

For Google Meet, you can download the Chrome extension. To dictate meetings in Zoom or Teams, you can download the desktop version of tl;dv for macOS and Windows.

"I've been taking notes and recording at the same time which is really a hassle but tl;dv made my life so much easier." – G2 Review

10. VEED.io

Best for: Augmenting lecture recordings with edits and effects.

VEED offers a collection of tools aimed at content creators. However, its online screen recording feature is extremely useful for capturing lectures and classes. Simply choose your desired video layout, then record video or audio along with your presentation slides. My favorite aspect is the ability to merge existing files with new recordings, allowing you to enrich an existing video with supplementary information. Viewing and editing the transcript text takes only a few moments. VEED also provides powerful built-in video editing software that can highlight the best segments of your recording, correct eye movements, and remove background noise and filler words to improve your video's quality.

VEED Pros:

• Add real-time recordings to pre-existing video and audio content.
• VEED can translate your transcript into over 100 languages, making it accessible to students and teachers worldwide.

VEED Cons:

• The interface is somewhat complex and requires time to learn, even for basic text transcript needs.
• You cannot download transcripts without a paid subscription.

Supported Platforms:

VEED is a browser-based application.

"I love that VEED is a cloud-based video capturing and editing software. This makes it very nice that I don't have to constantly be downloading and uploading raw video files and keeping it all organized on my computer or other software online." – G2 Review

Identifying features of an excellent lecture transcription utility

Now that you're familiar with the top lecture recording and academic transcription tools, how do you select the most suitable one? This decision will hinge on your particular requirements. Here are some crucial factors to consider when finalizing your tool choice.

Accuracy: Transcription precision is non-negotiable. While no machine transcription is flawless, ensure you select a tool capable of recognizing diverse accents and languages. For instance, DeepVo.ai boasts up to 99.5% accuracy. You also need the ability to amend any transcription mistakes, so your chosen tool should offer basic editing functions and allow you to add notes and images to complement the text.

Speed: Processing video can be time-consuming, especially for longer lecture recordings. Many tools can transcribe in real-time, and machine transcription is significantly faster than human transcribers. Tools like DeepVo.ai also offer quick AI summaries, often within seconds.

Notes and Features for Engagement: Merely reading a lecture transcript isn't sufficient for information retention. To engage with concepts more profoundly, you should, at a minimum, be able to highlight key points and add comments. Advanced tools like DeepVo.ai go further by offering AI-generated summaries and mind maps to structure information.

Ease of Learning: If a tool isn't intuitive, you're unlikely to use it regularly. Opt for a transcription tool that is straightforward to operate and easy to master.

Which application is optimal for capturing lectures?

My concluding recommendation is to always strive to upload the highest quality audio and video files possible to achieve the most accurate results. Furthermore, many lectures commence with extended periods of silence, crosstalk, or indistinct speech. If you're paying by the minute or if your plan has limits on uploaded file length, use a tool to trim these segments from your file so you only transcribe essential content.

For superior transcription accuracy and comprehensive learning aids, consider DeepVo.ai. Its AI meeting note-taker will produce actionable insights, including summaries and mind maps, from your lectures, allowing you to concentrate on what's most important: your learning. It's also free to get started and prioritizes your data security with end-to-end encryption.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best recording and transcribing app?

The ideal app for recording and transcribing your lectures will depend on your specific needs. However, DeepVo.ai provides transcription in over 100 languages with up to 99.5% accuracy, along with AI summaries and mind maps, making it a strong contender for many users.

How do I convert lecture recordings to text?

Here’s how a tool like DeepVo.ai transforms your lecture recordings into text:

1. Log into your DeepVo.ai account and navigate to your Dashboard.
2. Click 'Upload & Transcribe File' and either drag and drop the lecture recording from your device or provide a YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive URL.
3. Click on the file name on the dashboard to access the complete transcript text.

How do I summarize a voice recording?

You can generate a summary using DeepVo.ai, but first, you need to create a full transcript. After logging into DeepVo.ai, either upload your file or insert a URL to the hosted file. You can also record your video or audio directly in the browser via DeepVo.ai or its Chrome extension. Once your transcript is prepared, navigate to the built-in AI summary feature, often available directly on the transcript page. You can use this to generate AI summaries, and even mind maps, within moments.

How do I convert a call recording to text?

Most transcription software allows you to upload an audio or video file for transcription. For example, with DeepVo.ai, simply click 'Upload & Transcribe File' on the Dashboard, then select 'Upload' to initiate the transcription. In a short time, your full transcript will be ready to view.

Can Google transcribe a recording?

Yes, you can record directly from your microphone into a Google Doc to transcribe a recording. Open a Google Doc, click 'Tools,' then find 'Voice typing.' Click the microphone icon to begin dictating. While convenient for quick notes, dedicated services like DeepVo.ai often offer higher accuracy, more features, and support for more languages.

Francesca Harrall (Adapted for general use)

Francesca is a content and copywriter with a keen interest in exploring creative online tools and AI software. When not writing about technology, she engages in voiceover artistry, crafting, and is an avid reader. Her accomplishments include a feature in Wireframe magazine and narrating a bestselling novel.