# YouTube Transcript Scraper: Captions to Text (`offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper`) Actor

Get the transcript of YouTube videos and Shorts: full text plus timed segments, caption language, auto-generated flag, available languages, title, channel, length and views. Human captions preferred. Bulk, no API key.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Offera Studio](https://apify.com/offerastudio) (community)
- **Categories:** Videos, Social media
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.00 / 1,000 transcript returneds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

### What does YouTube Transcript Scraper do?

**YouTube Transcript Scraper** turns YouTube captions into text. Paste video links and get the **full transcript** plus **timed segments**, in the language you choose. Built for **AI/RAG pipelines, researchers, content repurposing and SEO**.

Per result you get:

- 📝 **full text** and **timed segments** (start, duration, text)
- 🌐 caption **language**, **auto-generated** flag, all **available languages**
- 🎬 **title**, **channel**, **length**, **views**

### How to use it

1. Click **Try for free**: the prefilled input runs in seconds.
2. Replace the example input with your own and press **Start**.
3. Download the results as JSON, CSV or Excel, or schedule the run.

### Input example

```json
{
    "videos": [
        "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
        "https://youtu.be/jNQXAC9IVRw"
    ],
    "language": "en",
    "includeSegments": false
}
```

### How much does it cost?

This Actor uses **pay per event**:

| Event | Price |
| --- | --- |
| Transcript returned | **$0.001** per video |
| Error rows | **free** |

- 1,000 transcripts cost **$1**; videos without captions are free.
- Apify also charges a tiny standard start fee per run. **Maximum cost per run** caps your spending.

### Data source and terms

- YouTube's public caption tracks (the subtitles youtube.com shows).
- This Actor is **not affiliated with or endorsed by YouTube or Google**. Collect only what you are allowed to use, and respect personal data rules (GDPR/CCPA) for any personal data in the results.

### Limitations

- Only videos with captions (human or auto-generated) have a transcript; the Actor does not transcribe audio.
- Age-restricted, private and members-only videos are not available.

### More tools from the same developer

All pay-per-result, no proxy or login needed, built and maintained by the same developer:

**Website audits**

- [Website Accessibility Checker: WCAG 2.2 & EAA](https://apify.com/offerastudio/website-accessibility-audit): accessibility issues with fixes, SEO basics and security headers.
- [Cookie & Tracker Audit: GDPR Consent Checker](https://apify.com/offerastudio/cookie-tracker-audit): cookies and tracking tags that load before consent.
- [AI Crawler Access Checker: robots.txt & llms.txt](https://apify.com/offerastudio/ai-crawler-access-audit): which AI crawlers a site allows, plus llms.txt.
- [Structured Data Validator: Schema & Rich Results](https://apify.com/offerastudio/structured-data-validator): JSON-LD and Microdata checked against Google's rich result rules.
- [Website Change Monitor: Diffs, Prices & Alerts](https://apify.com/offerastudio/website-change-monitor): get a row only when a page changes, with a clean diff.
- [Policy Change Monitor: Privacy & Terms Tracker](https://apify.com/offerastudio/policy-change-monitor): privacy policy and terms changes, classified clause by clause.
- [SaaS Pricing Monitor: Track Competitor Plans](https://apify.com/offerastudio/saas-pricing-monitor): competitor pricing plans as structured data, with price-change diffs.
- [Sitemap Change Monitor: New & Removed URLs](https://apify.com/offerastudio/sitemap-change-monitor): new, removed and changed URLs from a site's sitemaps.
- [Site SEO Crawler: Broken Links & On-Page Audit](https://apify.com/offerastudio/site-seo-crawler-audit): site-wide crawl for broken links, redirects and on-page SEO issues.
- [Website Tech Stack Detector: Bulk Lead Filters](https://apify.com/offerastudio/website-tech-stack-detector): technologies used by websites, with filters for lead lists.
- [Domain Availability & Expiry Checker (RDAP)](https://apify.com/offerastudio/domain-whois-availability): domain availability, registrar and expiry dates from RDAP.
- [Status Page SLA Monitor: Uptime & Incidents](https://apify.com/offerastudio/status-page-sla-monitor): SaaS vendor uptime, incidents and a monthly SLA table from public status pages.

**Company data and compliance**

- [Company Contact Finder: Emails, Phones & Socials](https://apify.com/offerastudio/company-contact-finder): contact details published on company websites.
- [UK New Companies Feed: Companies House Daily](https://apify.com/offerastudio/uk-new-companies-feed): newly incorporated UK companies with sector filters.
- [EU VAT Number Validator: Bulk VIES Checker](https://apify.com/offerastudio/eu-vat-number-validator): bulk VAT checks with name, address and consultation number.
- [LEI Corporate Tree: GLEIF Parents & Subsidiaries](https://apify.com/offerastudio/gleif-lei-corporate-tree): LEI lookup with parents, subsidiaries and a KYC summary.
- [UK Company Distress Watch: Insolvency Alerts](https://apify.com/offerastudio/uk-company-distress-watch): administrations, liquidations and winding-up petitions from The Gazette.
- [IBAN Validator: Bulk Check & Bank Lookup](https://apify.com/offerastudio/iban-bank-validator): IBAN format and checksum, plus bank name and BIC where open data exists.
- [Sanctions Screening: OFAC, EU, UN & UK Lists](https://apify.com/offerastudio/sanctions-screening): names screened against official sanctions lists, with match scores.
- [OSHA & EPA Violation Monitor: Fines by Company](https://apify.com/offerastudio/osha-epa-violation-monitor): US OSHA and EPA enforcement cases and penalties by company.
- [Email List Precheck: Syntax, MX & Disposable Check](https://apify.com/offerastudio/email-list-precheck): cheap email list hygiene before a real verification.
- [UK Company Officer Changes: Director & PSC Alerts](https://apify.com/offerastudio/uk-company-officer-changes): director, owner, address and status changes for a watchlist of UK companies.
- [FDA Warning Letters Monitor: By Company & Subject](https://apify.com/offerastudio/fda-warning-letters-monitor): FDA warning letters by company and subject, with cited regulations.
- [Supplier Risk Report: Sanctions, VAT & Insolvency](https://apify.com/offerastudio/supplier-risk-report): one risk row per supplier from eight official registers, with changes since last run.
- [Brand Impersonation Domain Monitor: Look-alikes](https://apify.com/offerastudio/brand-impersonation-domain-monitor): look-alike domains and certificates that imitate your brand, with a risk score.

**Media and AI**

- [Audio & Video Transcriber: Podcasts, SRT, Speakers](https://apify.com/offerastudio/audio-video-transcriber): audio, video, podcasts and social links to text, SRT and VTT.
- [Document to Audiobook: EPUB, PDF, DOCX to MP3](https://apify.com/offerastudio/document-to-audiobook): EPUB, PDF, DOCX, MOBI and 150+ formats to MP3 or M4B audiobooks with chapters.
- [Podcast Mention Alerts: Brand Mentions by Second](https://apify.com/offerastudio/podcast-mention-alerts): where your brand is said in new podcast episodes, with the exact second.
- [News Brand Mentions Monitor: New Articles Only](https://apify.com/offerastudio/news-brand-mentions-monitor): new news articles about your brand, people or topics.
- [YouTube Channel Monitor: New Videos & Growth](https://apify.com/offerastudio/youtube-channel-monitor): new videos and view growth of the channels you watch.

**Market signals**

- [US WARN Layoff Notices: 12 States Daily Feed](https://apify.com/offerastudio/us-warn-layoff-notices): layoff and plant closure notices from official state sources.
- [US Product Recalls Monitor: FDA & CPSC Feed](https://apify.com/offerastudio/us-product-recalls-monitor): FDA and CPSC recalls in one feed, with severity.
- [EU Tenders Feed: TED Public Procurement Alerts](https://apify.com/offerastudio/eu-tender-feed): EU public tenders from TED with CPV, country and value filters.
- [Liquor License Openings: New Bars & Stores (US)](https://apify.com/offerastudio/liquor-license-openings): new US liquor licences from official state open data.
- [Clinical Trials Change Monitor: Status & Updates](https://apify.com/offerastudio/clinicaltrials-change-monitor): status, enrollment and results changes on ClinicalTrials.gov studies.
- [Career Site Jobs Monitor: ATS Jobs & New Roles](https://apify.com/offerastudio/career-site-jobs-monitor): open roles from company career sites, with new and closed roles since the last run.
- [App Reviews Monitor: App Store & Google Play](https://apify.com/offerastudio/app-store-reviews-monitor): app reviews from both stores, only new ones in monitor mode.
- [US Federal Contracts Feed: SAM.gov & USAspending](https://apify.com/offerastudio/us-federal-contracts-feed): SAM.gov contract opportunities with the buyer's award history.
- [Grants.gov Opportunities: US Federal Grants Feed](https://apify.com/offerastudio/grants-gov-opportunities): US federal grant opportunities by keyword, eligibility and agency.
- [Federal Register Monitor: US Rules & Notices Feed](https://apify.com/offerastudio/federal-register-monitor): new US rules, proposed rules and notices by agency or topic.
- [B2B Sales Trigger Feed: Hiring + Tech Leads](https://apify.com/offerastudio/b2b-sales-trigger-feed): companies hiring for a role and using (or not using) a technology, with contacts.
- [Local Business Leads: OpenStreetMap, No Website](https://apify.com/offerastudio/local-business-leads-osm): local businesses by city and category, including those with no website.
- [Solana Token Pair Monitor: New & Trending Pairs](https://apify.com/offerastudio/solana-token-pair-monitor): new and trending Solana pairs with liquidity, volume and safety flags.

Works with AI agents through the Apify MCP server (see the API → MCP tab).

### Feedback

Missing a field or a filter? Open an issue on the **Issues** tab.

# Changelog

This Actor's version history is a separate document: https://apify.com/offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper/changelog.md

# Actor input Schema

## `videos` (type: `array`):

Video or Shorts URLs (youtube.com/watch, youtu.be, /shorts/, /live/) or 11-character video ids. Up to 5,000.

## `language` (type: `string`):

Preferred caption language code (en, de, es, pt-BR...). Falls back to the first available track.

## `includeSegments` (type: `boolean`):

Each caption line with start time and duration in seconds. Off = full text only (smaller output).

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

The source limits requests per IP, so the Actor switches IPs when it is told to slow down. Apify datacenter proxies are usually enough.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "videos": [
    "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "includeSegments": true,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `transcripts` (type: `string`):

No description

## `errors` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "videos": [
        "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"
    ],
    "language": "en",
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "videos": ["https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"],
    "language": "en",
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": True },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "videos": [
    "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}' |
apify call offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,offerastudio/youtube-transcript-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/I3KFzUJ2ZSeASSrf6/builds/cJtfJDsQoTsRFmwyH/openapi.json