YTScribe Chrome Extension: Get Transcripts Directly on YouTube

Every time you need a YouTube transcript, you copy the URL, open YTScribe in a new tab, paste, and wait. It works, but it adds friction—especially when you're processing multiple videos.

The YTScribe Chrome Extension eliminates that friction completely. Get transcripts directly on YouTube, without leaving the page, with a single click.

Over 550,000 users have installed it. It maintains a 4.9/5 rating in the Chrome Web Store. And it's completely free.

What You Get

📋 Instant Transcripts

A transcript panel appears directly below any YouTube video:

• Full text of everything said
• Clickable timestamps
• Search functionality
• Copy and download buttons

No new tabs. No URL copying. No waiting.

🔍 In-Video Search

Find specific moments without scrubbing:

1. Type your search term
2. See all matches highlighted
3. Click to jump directly to that moment

This is the transcript search feature, integrated directly into YouTube.

🌍 Language Switching

Access transcripts in 50+ languages:

• See all available caption tracks
• One-click language switching
• Auto-generated and manual options

📥 Export Options

Download transcripts in any format:

• TXT — Plain text for documents
• SRT — Subtitle format for video editing
• VTT — Web video format

Same subtitle downloader functionality, built into YouTube.

⚡ AI Features (Pro)

Pro users get additional capabilities:

• AI punctuation for readable formatting
• Video summaries with key takeaways
• Quiz generation for learning
• Chat with video for Q&A

YTScribe Extension vs. Alternatives (2026)

| Feature | YTScribe | Glasp | Tactiq | YouTube Native | |---------|----------|-------|--------|----------------| | Users | 550K+ | 100K+ | 200K+ | Built-in | | Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | N/A | | Transcript search | ✅ | ✅ | Limited | ❌ | | One-click download | ✅ | ✅ | Pro | Complex | | Multi-language | 50+ | Limited | Limited | ✅ | | AI summarization | Pro | ✅ | Pro | ❌ | | Quiz generation | Pro | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | | Chat with video | Pro | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | | Free tier | Full | Limited | Limited | Full |

Why YTScribe wins: Most features, best rating, largest user base, generous free tier.

Why 550,000+ Users Choose YTScribe

💬 What Users Say

"Absolute lifesaver! I am deaf and this has allowed me to watch videos and transcribe them into other languages. It's literally changed my life." — Steven B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Works great for my purposes. Did exactly what it claimed. No issues." — Gina M. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"LOVE IT! Exactly what I've been looking for. Easy to use and saves me so much time." — Gloria O. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Essential for anyone who learns from YouTube. I can search lectures, find specific topics, and create study notes in minutes." — Michael T. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 By the Numbers

| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Total Users | 550,000+ | | Chrome Store Rating | 4.9/5 | | Reviews | 2,500+ | | Weekly Active Users | 200,000+ |

People Also Ask

What is the best Chrome extension for YouTube transcripts?

YTScribe is the most popular YouTube transcript extension with 550,000+ users and a 4.9/5 rating. It offers instant transcripts, search, multi-language support, and downloads—all free.

How do I get a transcript from YouTube using Chrome?

Install the YTScribe Chrome extension (free), then visit any YouTube video. A transcript panel automatically appears below the video. Click to expand, search, copy, or download.

Is there a free Chrome extension to download YouTube subtitles?

Yes! YTScribe's Chrome extension lets you download transcripts in TXT format for free. Pro users can also download in SRT and VTT formats for video editing.

Can I search inside a YouTube video for specific words?

With the YTScribe Chrome extension, yes. Type any word in the search box to find all instances. Click any result to jump directly to that moment in the video.

Installation (30 Seconds)

Step 1: Visit the Chrome Web Store

Click here to open the YTScribe extension page

Step 2: Click "Add to Chrome"

You'll see a confirmation popup.

Step 3: Confirm Installation

Click "Add extension" in the popup.

Step 4: Start Using

Visit any YouTube video. The transcript panel appears automatically below the video.

That's it. No account creation required. No configuration needed. It just works.

How to Use the Extension

🎬 Basic Usage

1. Open any YouTube video
2. Look below the video — You'll see the YTScribe transcript panel
3. Expand if needed — Click to show the full transcript
4. Read, search, or download — All features are one click away

🔍 Searching Transcripts

1. Click the search icon in the transcript panel
2. Type your search term
3. See highlighted matches throughout the transcript
4. Click any match to jump to that moment in the video

📥 Downloading

1. Click the download button
2. Select your format (TXT, SRT, or VTT)
3. Choose language if multiple are available
4. File downloads to your default location

🌐 Switching Languages

1. Click the language dropdown
2. See all available caption tracks
3. Click to switch — transcript updates instantly

Feature Comparison: Extension vs. Website

| Feature | Extension | Website | |---------|-----------|---------| | Access location | On YouTube | Separate tab | | URL copying required | No | Yes | | Transcript viewing | ✓ | ✓ | | Transcript search | ✓ | ✓ | | Download (TXT/SRT/VTT) | ✓ | ✓ | | Multi-language | ✓ | ✓ | | AI Punctuation | Pro | ✓ | | Video Summary | Pro | ✓ | | Quiz Generation | Pro | ✓ | | Chat with Video | Pro | ✓ |

Bottom line: For quick transcript access, the extension is faster. For AI features on free tier, use the website.

Use Cases

📚 Students & Researchers

Scenario: You're watching a lecture and need to take notes.

Without extension:

• Pause video
• Open new tab
• Go to YTScribe
• Paste URL
• Wait for transcript
• Switch between tabs to reference

With extension:

• Scroll down to see transcript
• Click timestamps to navigate
• Search for specific topics
• Copy what you need

Time saved: 2-3 minutes per video.

♿ Accessibility

Scenario: You're deaf or hard-of-hearing and need readable transcripts.

The extension provides:

• Full text of all dialogue
• Searchable content
• Multi-language options
• Downloadable files for assistive technology

Why it matters: Screen readers work better with clean transcript text than with YouTube's built-in caption interface.

✍️ Content Creators

Scenario: You're researching competitor videos or repurposing content.

Workflow:

1. Watch competitor video with transcript visible
2. Search for specific topics
3. Download transcript for analysis
4. Move to next video without leaving YouTube

Efficiency: Process 10 videos in the time it used to take to process 3.

🌍 Language Learners

Scenario: You're watching content in your target language.

Learning workflow:

1. Watch with native captions visible
2. Search for unfamiliar words
3. Download transcript for study
4. Switch to translation when stuck

Learning boost: Reading while listening improves comprehension by 38%.

💼 Professionals

Scenario: You need to review webinars, training videos, or conference talks.

Business workflow:

1. Watch at 1.5x speed with transcript visible
2. Search for relevant keywords
3. Click timestamps for important sections
4. Download for documentation

Time savings: Review hour-long content in 20 minutes.

Updated for 2026: What's New

The YTScribe Chrome Extension has been significantly upgraded for 2026:

• Faster loading — Transcripts appear 50% faster
• Improved UI — Cleaner, more intuitive design
• Better search — Regex support for advanced users
• New AI features — Summary and quiz generation for Pro
• Enhanced language support — Better detection and switching
• Keyboard shortcuts — Power user commands

Privacy & Security

🔒 What We Access

• YouTube pages only (to show transcripts)
• Your YTScribe account (if logged in, for Pro features)

🚫 What We Don't Access

• Your browsing history
• Other websites
• Personal data
• Files on your computer

📜 Permissions Explained

| Permission | Why We Need It | |------------|---------------| | youtube.com | To display transcripts on YouTube | | Storage | To save your preferences | | Active tab | To detect when you're on YouTube |

🔍 Open Source

Our extension code is available for review. Security-conscious users can verify exactly what the extension does.

Troubleshooting

❓ Transcript Not Showing?

Try these steps:

1. Refresh the YouTube page
2. Check that the extension is enabled (puzzle icon → YTScribe → blue toggle)
3. Verify the video has captions (not all videos do)
4. Sign out and sign back in

❓ Wrong Language Showing?

Solution:

1. Click the language dropdown in the transcript panel
2. Select your preferred language
3. The extension remembers your preference

❓ Download Not Working?

Check:

1. Browser download permissions
2. Pop-up blocker settings
3. Extension is up to date

❓ Performance Issues?

Try:

1. Disable other extensions temporarily
2. Clear browser cache
3. Update Chrome to latest version

Free vs. Pro

🆓 Free Features (No Account Needed)

• Full transcript viewing
• Search within transcripts
• Copy full transcript
• Download in TXT format
• Language switching
• Timestamp navigation

⭐ Pro Features (Subscription)

• Download in all formats (SRT, VTT, TXT)
• AI punctuation for better formatting
• Video summaries
• Quiz generation
• Chat with video
• Priority support
• No usage limits

Integration with YTScribe Ecosystem

The extension connects to the full YTScribe platform:

🔄 Seamless Sync

• Login once, access everywhere
• Pro features work on extension and website
• Usage syncs across devices

🧰 Access All Tools

• Transcript Generator
• Subtitle Downloader
• Video Summarizer
• AI Punctuation
• Quiz Generator
• Chat with Video
• Timestamp Generator
• Title Analyzer
• Video Analytics

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the extension really free? Yes. Basic features are completely free with no signup. Pro features require a subscription.

Does it work on all YouTube videos? It works on any video with available captions. Most videos have at least auto-generated captions.

Will it slow down my browser? No. The extension is lightweight and only activates on YouTube pages.

Does it work on other browsers? Currently Chrome only. Firefox and Edge versions are in development.

Can I use it on mobile? Chrome extensions don't work on mobile browsers. Use the YTScribe website for mobile access.

How do I uninstall? Right-click the extension icon → "Remove from Chrome" → Confirm.

Is my data safe? We don't collect browsing data. See our privacy policy for details.

Install the Extension Now

550,000+ users already save time every day with the YTScribe Chrome extension.

• ✓ One-click transcript access on YouTube
• ✓ Search, copy, and download instantly
• ✓ 50+ languages supported
• ✓ Free to use, no signup required

Ready? Add YTScribe to Chrome and get transcripts on your next YouTube video.

For AI features without a subscription, visit the YTScribe website to access video summaries, quizzes, and more.