Get Meeting Notes Without a Bot Joining the Call
A visible recording bot in a sales call, a client consultation, or a board meeting adds an extra attendee that was not there before, and some meetings go better without one. Instead of sending a bot into Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, the Chrome extension that records tab, screen, mic and camera records your own tab, mic, or screen, so the participant list looks the same as it always does.
This does not mean recording without telling people. You still need to let the other side know a call is being recorded, the way you would with any recorder; the extension just avoids adding a bot as a named participant to do it. If you would rather have a bot join automatically from your calendar and appear on the call, see the AI meeting assistant instead.
What you get with every recording:
- A transcript with speaker identification
- AI notes: action items with an owner and deadline, and decisions listed separately
- chapters with timestamps, so you can jump to the part of the call you need
- AI chat with any recording, so you can ask a question instead of re-reading the transcript
- Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT
- Free plan: one recording of up to 45 minutes
How This Bot-Free Notetaker Works
- Tell the other participants, then open the extension: Recording laws vary, and many places require you to say a call is being recorded before it starts. Once you have, open the Chrome extension that records tab, screen, mic and camera before you join.
- Join the call as normal: The extension records tab, mic, screen, and camera audio while you attend the meeting the way you always do. Nothing joins the call as a separate participant. If you already have a recording, upload it instead.
- Read the transcript and notes: A few minutes after the call ends, the transcript, AI summary, and action items are ready. Search the transcript or ask a question about the meeting instead of rewatching it.
Accuracy depends on the audio each participant sends, so several people talking over each other or a poor connection will leave more gaps than a clear one-on-one call. See how we measure accuracy.
Bot-Free Notetaker vs Meeting Bots
| Feature | ScreenApp | Otter.ai | Fireflies.ai | Notta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bot-free recording | Chrome extension that records tab, screen, mic and camera | desktop app records without a bot joining the call | Chrome extension recording without the Fireflies bot | desktop app, browser extension, or mobile app record without a bot joining the call |
| Free tier | one recording, up to 45 min | 300 min/month | 400 min storage, 20 AI credits/month | 120 min/month, 3 min/conversation |
| Action items | action items with an owner and deadline, and decisions listed separately | Included, automatically assigned | Included | Not stated |
| Languages | 99 | 6 | 100+ | 58 |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | $8.33/month annual | $19/month annual | $8.17/month annual |
Sources, checked 2026-09-13: screenapp.io/chrome, github.com/screenappai/screenapp-new/blob/main/apps/web/src/lib/templates.ts, screenapp.io/pricing, screenapp.io/help/how-many-minutes-can-i-record, otter.ai/otterpilot, fireflies.ai/pricing, notta.ai/en/pricing, otter.ai/pricing, guide.fireflies.ai/articles/4027724828-learn-about-the-fireflies-free-plan, otter.ai, fireflies.ai, screenapp.io/accuracy#languages, notta.ai/en/lecture-summarizer, guide.fireflies.ai/articles/2063312779-fireflies-business-tier-pricing-and-features
- vs Otter.ai: Otter’s bot-free option is a desktop app; ScreenApp’s is a Chrome extension that records tab, screen, mic and camera. Otter’s free plan caps you at 300 minutes a month; ScreenApp’s free plan is one recording of up to 45 minutes.
- vs Fireflies.ai: Fireflies also has a bot-free Chrome extension. Its free plan gives 400 minutes of storage and 20 AI credits a month, and Business is $19 a month billed annually.
- vs Notta: Notta’s bot-free options include a desktop app, browser extension, and mobile app. Its free plan is 120 minutes a month, capped at 3 minutes per conversation, and Pro is $8.17 a month billed annually.
Who Uses a Bot-Free Notetaker
Sales professionals on client calls where an extra bot in the attendee list changes the tone record their own tab instead, then review pricing discussions and commitments from the transcript afterward.
Consultants documenting client sessions and advisory meetings use the transcript to build project notes without a bot in the call reminding the client it is being recorded on every screen share.
Executives and leadership recording strategy sessions and board discussions get a transcript for the record without adding a bot to a meeting where attendee lists are already reviewed closely.
Recruiters and HR teams documenting candidate interviews and performance reviews use the extension so the call looks like any other interview, then work from the transcript afterward.
Attorneys and legal professionals capturing client consultations get timestamped transcripts for case files, from a recording they told the client about, without a bot occupying a seat on the call.
FAQ
What makes this notetaker bot-free?
It records through the Chrome extension that records tab, screen, mic and camera on your own tab, mic, or screen instead of sending a bot into the call as a named participant. The recording itself is not hidden from you: you start it, and you still need to tell the other people on the call that it is happening.
Do I need to tell people I am recording?
Yes. Recording laws vary by location, and many jurisdictions require consent from everyone on the call before you record. This tool does not remove that requirement; it only means you do not need a bot in the attendee list to do the recording. Check your local rules before you start.
Is there a free bot-free notetaker?
Yes. ScreenApp’s free plan includes one recording of up to 45 minutes, with the transcript, speaker labels, and AI chat on that recording. Paid plans start at $19 a month billed annually and remove the limits.
Which platforms does it work with?
Any platform that plays audio through a browser tab, including Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams used in the browser. For desktop app meetings, the extension records screen and system audio instead of just a tab.
Can I use this for in-person meetings?
Yes. Record with your device’s microphone for a conference room or in-person conversation, then get the transcript and notes afterward the same way as a video call.
How accurate is the transcription?
ScreenApp’s transcription reaches 99% on clear audio, as measured on the accuracy page. Several people talking over each other or a poor connection brings that down.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Record through the ScreenApp mobile app on iPhone or Android using the device microphone, and the transcript syncs to your account alongside recordings made in the browser extension.
Can I export the transcript?
Yes. Export as PDF, DOCX, TXT, SRT and VTT. Choose whether timestamps, speaker labels, and the AI summary are included, and control who can view, download, or edit the transcript.
Are my recordings private?
Yes. Recordings are encrypted in transit and at rest with AES-256, are not used to train AI models, and are only shared if you create a share link. Security controls, including SOC 2 Type 2, are published on the trust center.
