Head-to-head
Otter.ai vs Fathom
Fathom's free tier is more generous; Otter is the stronger transcription workspace. Updated for 2026 — verified 2 weeks ago.
Otter.ai
Otter.ai · Free 300 min/mo · Pro $16.99/mo · Business $30/user/mo
Fathom
Fathom · Free unlimited recordings · Team $19/user/mo
The verdict
Fathom's free tier is more generous; Otter is the stronger transcription workspace.
Fathom records and summarises unlimited meetings on its free plan, which is hard to beat if you just want notes and action items. Otter is the better searchable archive: transcripts, speaker separation and a workspace your team can dig through later, free for 300 minutes a month and $16.99/month for Pro. Solo users usually start with Fathom; teams that search old conversations pay for Otter.
Who wins each category?
Our verdict on the things people actually choose between, not benchmark numbers.
Free tier generosity
Unlimited free recordings and summaries.
FathomSearchable transcript archive
Stronger search across past meetings.
Otter.aiSummaries and action items
Consistently tidy, ready-to-send recaps.
FathomTeam workspace features
Better sharing, folders and collaboration.
Otter.aiPaid entry price
$16.99/month against $19/user/month for teams.
Otter.ai
Choose Otter.ai if…
teams that want a searchable record of every meeting.
- Joins Zoom, Teams and Meet automatically
- Generous free tier
Watch out: Accents can trip the transcript.
Choose Fathom if…
individuals who want free, reliable meeting notes and follow-ups.
- Genuinely useful free plan
- Very fast summaries
Watch out: No mobile app.
Otter.ai vs Fathom: full comparison table
| Metric | Otter.ai | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Free 300 min/mo · Pro $16.99/mo · Business $30/user/mo | Free unlimited recordings · Team $19/user/mo |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Accuracy score | 88% | 89% |
| Ease of use | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Value for money | 4.3/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Performance | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Learning curve | Very gentle | Very gentle |
| API access | Available | Available |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome | Web, Desktop |
| Launched | 2016 | 2020 |
Highlighted values win that row. Verified 2 weeks ago.
Feature matrix
| Feature | Otter.ai | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Live transcription | ||
| Meeting summaries | ||
| Action items | ||
| Speaker identification | ||
| Unlimited recordings | ||
| Instant summaries | ||
| Ask-your-meetings chat | ||
| CRM sync |
What each one really costs
Otter.ai per year
$204
Free tier available
Fathom per year
$228
Free tier available
Both together
$432
Save $204 a year by keeping the other on its free tier.
Otter.ai vs Fathom: frequently asked questions
- Is there a genuinely free meeting notetaker?
- Fathom's free plan covers unlimited recordings and summaries, and Otter's free plan includes 300 transcription minutes a month.
- Do I need to tell people they are being recorded?
- Yes. Recording rules vary by country and state, and both tools announce themselves in the call. Get consent before recording.
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