ElevenLabs details Zoom transcription methods using native tools and Scribe v2 API

Organizations can transcribe Zoom meetings using built-in tools or third-party solutions like ElevenLabs to improve accuracy and language coverage. While Zoom's native AI Companion supports 46 languages for live translation, it only supports 19 languages for post-meeting transcripts, which may be insufficient for multinational teams.

Native Zoom Transcription Options

Zoom offers real-time captions and automated closed captions as built-in solutions. Live closed captioning is free across tiers, but full meeting transcripts and cloud recording features require paid Workplace accounts. Administrators can enable these features via the Zoom web portal by toggling Automated captions and Cloud Recording.

For post-meeting processing, Zoom generates downloadable transcript files (VTT) automatically after calls end, with availability ranging from immediate to 24 hours. The platform uses speaker diarization to label speakers, creating structured transcripts for larger groups.

ElevenLabs Scribe v2 Integration

For teams needing broader language support or lower word error rates, ElevenAPI provides transcription in over 90 languages and accents. The Scribe v2 model processes audio with word-level timestamps and preserves speaker attribution for up to 32 participants.

Developers can integrate live transcription using two WebSocket-based streaming architectures:

• Client-side streaming: Captures audio directly from the microphone or browser via a virtual audio device. It uses temporary single-use tokens generated by a backend server to protect API keys, which expire after 15 minutes.
• Server-side streaming: Extracts audio from meeting streams, URLs, or files using a primary API key. This method supports full automation, such as unattended meeting bots, and removes the need for an active browser session.

Use Cases and Setup

AI-powered transcription aids global teams by handling multilingual code-switching, accented speech, and asynchronous knowledge sharing. It also supports multi-party speaker diarization for accountability.

To set up ElevenAPI, developers generate an API key, install the official Python or TypeScript SDK, and call the Scribe v2 endpoint for batch processing or the Scribe Realtime v2 WebSocket for live audio.