Otter.ai monthly minutes: when they reset, what counts against them, and how long transcription takes
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
Otter's monthly minutes reset on the date and time your billing cycle began, not on the first of the month, and unused minutes do not roll over. The free Basic plan has 300 minutes a month with 30 minutes per conversation, and Pro has 1,200. To see what you have left, open Account Settings, Plan.
I built YapToText, a dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about Otter with that in mind. Every fact about Otter here comes from its own help center, read on October 11, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
When they reset
If your plan started on the 26th at 7:03 PM, your minutes reset every month on the 26th at 7:03 PM. That is the example Otter's help center gives. Minutes reset each month and are not carried forward.
Check your balance on the web under Account Settings, Plan, or in the mobile app by tapping Account.
What uses minutes
- Recordings. In-app recordings and meeting recordings.
- Imports. Audio and video files you upload.
- Integrations. Recordings that arrive through connected apps.
Otter adds that some plans include unlimited meetings or in-app recordings, which then do not draw from the monthly minutes. Asked whether more minutes can be bought, its answer is to upgrade plans.
The limits by plan
From otter.ai and its help center, read October 5 and 6, 2026.
| Plan | What Otter lists |
|---|---|
| Basic, free | 300 minutes a month, up to 30 minutes per conversation, 3 file imports per account in total |
| Pro | 1,200 minutes a month |
| Business | For teams, with unlimited file imports |
On Basic, a recording longer than 30 minutes keeps going, but you can open only the first 30 minutes of its transcript until you upgrade. When the 300 are used up, you cannot record or import until the next cycle. The Otter pricing page has the prices.
How long transcription takes
Otter's own estimates, from its processing time FAQ, read October 11, 2026.
| Input, for a 30-minute recording | Transcript | Summary and email |
|---|---|---|
| Notetaker, Live Notes or a manual recording | 1.5 to 3 minutes | 2.5 to 6 minutes |
| An imported audio or video file | 4.5 to 6 minutes, after the upload | 5.5 to 7 minutes |
| An offline recording on a phone | 4.5 to 6 minutes, after reconnecting | 5.5 to 7 minutes |
Otter says times vary with length, the number of speakers and demand on its service, and that peak times add to them.
Transcription with no meter
Minutes exist because each one costs Otter server time. YapToText, the free Mac app I built, transcribes on your own Apple silicon Mac, so there is no monthly allowance, no reset date and no per-file cap. It does one thing with a recording: turn it into plain text. It does not join meetings, name speakers or write summaries. Transcribe an audio file on a Mac for free covers it, and the Otter alternative page compares the two.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Reset. The day and time your billing cycle started, every month.
- Rollover. None.
- Free plan. 300 minutes a month, 30 per conversation, 3 imports in total.
- Used by. Recordings, imports and integrations.
- Out of minutes. Wait for the reset, or upgrade.
If Otter changes its minutes, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us/articles/25205539848343-When-will-my-monthly-minutes-reset (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360048322493-Transcription-processing-time-FAQ (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360047538094-Conversation-import-and-app-limits-on-the-Basic-free-plan (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://otter.ai/pricing (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
When do Otter minutes reset?
On the date and time your billing cycle started, each month. A plan bought on the 26th resets on the 26th.
Do unused Otter minutes roll over?
No. Otter's help center says monthly minutes reset each month and do not roll over.
How many free minutes does Otter give?
The Basic plan gives 300 transcription minutes a month, with up to 30 minutes per conversation.
How long can I record on Otter's free plan?
A recording can run longer, but on Basic you can open only the first 30 minutes of its transcript.
How long does Otter take to process a recording?
For a 30-minute meeting, Otter estimates 1.5 to 3 minutes for the transcript, and 4.5 to 6 minutes for an imported file after it uploads.