YouTube Data API Alternative — Get Transcripts, No Key or Quota
The YouTube Data API needs an API key and OAuth, enforces a daily quota, and does not hand you the transcript text. If transcripts are what you’re after, this tool skips all of that — paste URLs and get clean text.
YouTube Data API vs YouTube Transcript Scraper
| YouTube Data API | YouTube Transcript Scraper | |
|---|---|---|
| API key / OAuth | Required | None |
| Daily quota | Yes | No |
| Transcript text | Not exposed as text | Full text + timestamped segments |
| Formats | n/a | JSON, text or SRT |
| Channels & playlists | Via multiple calls + quota | Paste a channel or playlist URL |
| Pricing | Free (quota-limited) | Pay per use — $10 per 1,000 transcripts |
Why switch
- No API key, no OAuth, no daily quota.
- Actual transcript text — plain text and timestamped segments.
- Works on videos, channels and playlists.
- Export as JSON, text or SRT.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just use the YouTube Data API?
It needs a key and OAuth, has a daily quota, and does not return transcript text. This tool returns the transcript directly with none of that.
Does it work on any video?
Any video that offers captions; videos without captions return a clear status and are not charged.
Which languages?
Set preferred language codes; it falls back to what the video offers.
Switch in minutes
Run it on Apify — no install, pay per use, results in minutes.
▶ Open on Apify