Otter.ai vs Fathom: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Otter.ai and Fathom? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Otter.ai | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 8.5/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | $17/mo | $24/mo |
| Category | Meeting Tools | Meeting Tools |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome, Zoom | Web, Zoom |
| Founded | 2016 | 2020 |
Key Features
Otter.ai Features
- Real-time transcription
- Speaker identification
- Meeting summaries
- Action items
- Search
- Zoom integration
- Collaboration
- Mobile recording
Fathom Features
- Free transcription
- AI summaries
- Highlight clips
- Auto-recording
- CRM sync
- Team sharing
- Zoom integration
- Search
Pros & Cons
Otter.ai
Pros
- + Accurate transcription
- + Good free tier
- + Real-time captions
- + Searchable archive
- + Meeting summaries
Cons
- - Paid for full features
- - Accuracy varies with accents
- - Storage limits
- - English focused
Fathom
Pros
- + Generous free tier
- + Good summaries
- + Easy to use
- + Zoom focused
- + Quick setup
Cons
- - Zoom only on free
- - Limited integrations
- - Newer platform
- - Enterprise features expensive
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Otter.ai and Fathom are excellent meeting tools tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Otter.ai if: You value accurate transcription and good free tier.
It's best for meetings and journalists.
Choose Fathom if: You prioritize generous free tier and good summaries.
It's ideal for zoom-users and individuals.
Otter.ai vs Fathom FAQ
It depends on your needs. Otter.ai (8.5/10) excels at accurate transcription, while Fathom (8.1/10) is known for generous free tier. Otter.ai has the higher overall rating.
Both Otter.ai and Fathom offer free tiers. Otter.ai's paid plan starts at $17/mo, while Fathom starts at $24/mo.
Yes, many users combine Otter.ai and Fathom in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Otter.ai handles your real-time transcription while Fathom manages free transcription.
Otter.ai offers: Real-time transcription, Speaker identification, Meeting summaries. Fathom provides: Free transcription, AI summaries, Highlight clips. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Otter.ai is generally user-friendly. Fathom is generally user-friendly. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Otter.ai is available on Web, iOS, Android, Chrome, Zoom. Fathom supports Web, Zoom. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Otter.ai is more individual-focused. Fathom is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Fathom's strengths (Generous free tier, Good summaries) address pain points you have with Otter.ai. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Fathom with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs free tier), Focus (Meeting Tools vs Meeting Tools), Platforms (5 vs 2 platforms).
Otter.ai users love: Accurate transcription, Good free tier. Common complaints: Paid for full features. Fathom users appreciate: Generous free tier, Good summaries. Common issues: Zoom only on free.