How to Record a Zoom Meeting (Free, on Any Plan)

You can record Zoom meetings on every plan, including free. On desktop, click “Record” in the meeting toolbar and choose Local or Cloud — recordings save as MP4 files. Free plans get local recording; cloud recording with transcripts needs a paid plan.

Method 1: Local recording (free, desktop)

Saves the recording to your computer as an MP4 — no storage limits, no watermarks.

1. Start or join the meeting.
2. In the toolbar, click Record.
3. Choose Record on this Computer.
4. Click the Pause/Stop icon when finished, then Stop Recording.
5. Zoom converts the file; when done, open the folder shown in the notification.

Note: The meeting host must allow participants to record. On free plans, the host can always record locally; participants need permission.

Method 2: Cloud recording (paid plans)

Stores recordings in the Zoom cloud and generates automatic transcripts — searchable text of everything said.

1. In the meeting toolbar, click Record → Record to the Cloud.
2. End the meeting as usual.
3. Sign in to zoom.us, go to Recordings.
4. Download the MP4 or share the link; open the Transcript tab for auto-generated text.

What settings do you need?

Before your first meeting:

1. In the Zoom web portal, go to Settings → Recording.
2. Toggle on Local recording (and Cloud recording if you have a paid plan).
3. For automatic transcripts, enable Audio transcript.

FAQ

Can I record a Zoom meeting on the free plan?

Yes. Local recording to your computer is free and unlimited in duration. Cloud recording and transcripts require a paid plan.

Where do Zoom recordings go?

Local recordings save to a folder Zoom creates, typically under your Videos or Documents folder (the exact location is shown in the completion notification). Cloud recordings live in your Zoom portal under Recordings.

Can participants record without the host’s permission?

Only if the host enables it. In the portal: Settings → Recording, and either allow participants to record or approve recording requests.

Do Zoom recordings include captions?

Cloud recordings can include an automatic transcript. On mobile, you can view captions live during a meeting, but captions in the saved file come from cloud recording transcripts.

Tags: #zoom #screen recording #meeting #transcript