AI Note-taking & Meetings · Pricing comparison
Fathom vs Otter.ai: Pricing
Fathom's free plan is the most generous in the category. Otter's paid Pro plan is cheaper on yearly billing.
Last checked September 27, 2026
At a glance
Otter.ai is the cheaper option ($7.67/mo less), both offer a free plan, Fathom rates slightly higher.
Our take
Fathom's free plan includes unlimited recordings, transcripts and instant AI summaries. Otter's free plan caps you at 300 minutes a month with 30 minutes per conversation.
On paid plans, Otter Pro is $8.33/mo billed yearly ($16.99 monthly), while Fathom Premium is $16/mo yearly ($20 monthly). Otter is cheaper to upgrade to, but Fathom's free tier means many individuals never need to pay.
Otter supports only English, French and Spanish. Fathom's team plans add CRM sync and coaching, which suits sales teams.
- Choose Fathom if you want to record meetings free with no minute cap.
- Choose Otter.ai if you want the cheapest paid plan and work in English, French or Spanish.
Watch out: Otter cut its Pro minutes to 1,200 a month in 2026. Check that's enough before paying yearly.
We may earn a commission if you subscribe through our links — at no extra cost to you.
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 | Free plan with unlimited recordings, transcripts and instant AI summaries. | Free plan with 300 minutes/month (30-min per-conversation cap). |
| Starting price | $16/mo (Premium, billed yearly) | $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly) |
| Highest known plan | $34/user/mo (Business, monthly) | $19.99/seat/mo (Business, annual) |
| Trial of paid plan | No (free plan instead) | No (free plan instead) |
| 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 $16/mo (Premium, billed yearly). Premium is $16/mo yearly or $20 monthly. Team is $15/user/mo yearly ($19 monthly) and Business $25/user/mo yearly ($34 monthly). The free plan has unlimited recordings and summaries. Its free plan: Free plan with unlimited recordings, transcripts and instant AI summaries.
Otter.ai uses a freemium model, starting at $8.33/mo (Pro, billed yearly). Pro is $8.33/user/mo billed yearly or $16.99 monthly. Business is $19.99/user/mo yearly or $30 monthly. 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.
Verdict
Fathom's free plan is the most generous in the category. Otter's paid Pro plan is cheaper on yearly billing. Choose Fathom if you want to record meetings free with no minute cap; choose Otter.ai if you want the cheapest paid plan and work in English, French or Spanish.
Fathom vs Otter.ai FAQ
Which is cheaper, Fathom or Otter.ai?
Otter.ai has the cheaper entry price — about $7.67/mo less. Fathom starts at $16/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: Free plan with unlimited recordings, transcripts and instant AI summaries. 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.