AI Note-taking & Meetings · Pricing comparison
Fathom vs Otter.ai: Pricing
Otter.ai is the cheaper option ($6.67/mo less), both offer a free plan, Fathom rates slightly higher. Below we break down plans, free tiers, and value so you can decide which fits your budget and workflow.
Last checked July 24, 2026
At a glance
Otter.ai is the cheaper option ($6.67/mo less), both offer a free plan, Fathom rates slightly higher.
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Fathom vs Otter.ai: side-by-side
| Feature | Fathom | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Note-taking & Meetings | AI Note-taking & Meetings |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan details | Unlimited recordings/transcripts free; AI summaries limited after trial period. | Free plan with 300 minutes/month (30-min per-conversation cap). |
| Starting price | $15/mo (Premium, billed yearly) | $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly) |
| Highest known plan | $29/seat/mo (Team Edition Pro) | $19.99/seat/mo (Business, annual) |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals and small teams who want meeting notes without a subscription | Individuals who want reliable live meeting transcripts |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editor rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Fathom uses a freemium model, starting at $15/mo (Premium, billed yearly). Free tier is unusually generous; paid unlocks unlimited AI summaries and integrations. Its free plan: Unlimited recordings/transcripts free; AI summaries limited after trial period.
Otter.ai uses a freemium model, starting at $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly). Monthly Pro is $16.99. Pro allowance was reduced to 1,200 min in a quiet change. No refunds. Its free plan: Free plan with 300 minutes/month (30-min per-conversation cap).
Which is cheaper?
If budget is the deciding factor, Otter.ai wins on entry price. If output quality or specific features matter more, weigh the feature lists below before deciding.
Fathom: pros and cons
Pros
- Best free tier in the category
- Clean, fast UX
- Top user ratings
Cons
- Team features need paid seats
- Fewer integrations than Fireflies
- Newer vendor
Otter.ai: pros and cons
Pros
- Easy and reliable for basics
- Free tier covers light use
- Strong live-transcript UX
Cons
- Only 3 languages
- Pro minutes quietly cut to 1,200
- No refunds policy
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Otter.ai — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Fathom.
- Fathom is best for: Individuals and small teams who want meeting notes without a subscription.
- Otter.ai is best for: Individuals who want reliable live meeting transcripts.
Our call
Verdict
On price alone, Otter.ai is the value pick at $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly). Fathom edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Fathom if you want individuals and small teams who want meeting notes without a subscription, and Otter.ai if you want individuals who want reliable live meeting transcripts.
Fathom vs Otter.ai FAQ
Which is cheaper, Fathom or Otter.ai?
Otter.ai has the cheaper entry price — about $6.67/mo less. Fathom starts at $15/mo (Premium, billed yearly), while Otter.ai starts at $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly).
Does Fathom or Otter.ai have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Fathom: Unlimited recordings/transcripts free; AI summaries limited after trial period. Otter.ai: Free plan with 300 minutes/month (30-min per-conversation cap).
Is Fathom or Otter.ai better for beginners?
Otter.ai tends to be the easier starting point thanks to its pricing and free access, though both cover the same core ai note-taking & meetings needs.
Which is better for teams?
Fathom is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.