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Otter.ai vs Fathom compares two AI meeting notetakers. Otter.ai joins calls, transcribes them live and writes summaries you can search and question. By contrast, Fathom records, transcribes and stores calls without limits on its free plan and summarizes them within seconds.
Our reviews, for example, score Otter.ai 3.2 and Fathom 3.5. So the choice depends on the job and how much you care about data terms.
Otter.ai vs Fathom: The Short Answer
Choose Fathom, first, on our scores: it scores 3.5 against 3.2 and fits a generous free plan.
Choose Otter.ai, however, if you want cheap live transcription; its entry paid plan is Pro $8.33 a month yearly.
Head to Head
| Criterion | Otter.ai | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cheap live transcription | A generous free plan |
| Works in | Zoom, Meet, Teams; in-person app | Zoom, Meet, Teams |
| Free plan | 300 min a month | Unlimited recording |
| Entry paid plan | Pro $8.33 a month yearly | Premium $16 a month yearly |
| Billing | Minutes per month | Per seat; two-seat team minimum |
| Training on your data | Trains on de-identified data | Disputed |
| Our score | 3.2 | 3.5 |
What Each Does
To begin with, Otter.ai joins calls, transcribes them live and writes summaries you can search and question. As a result, it suits people who want cheap live transcription.
In contrast, Fathom records, transcribes and stores calls without limits on its free plan and summarizes them within seconds. It suits people who want a generous free plan.
Prices and Billing
Otter.ai starts with 300 minutes a month, up to 30 per meeting, and its entry paid plan is Pro $8.33 a month yearly. Fathom, meanwhile, starts with unlimited recording, transcription and storage, with advanced AI on five calls a month, with Premium $16 a month yearly as its entry paid plan.
Billing also works differently. Otter.ai uses monthly minutes, with Pro cut to 1,200.
Fathom, however, uses per-seat plans, with Team and Business requiring two seats. Our list of the best AI for meeting notes compares more options.
Data and Training
On training, for Otter.ai, its policy says it trains on de-identified recordings. For Fathom, by contrast, its help center says it does not train on recordings, though one review reports use of de-identified data.
Therefore, keep confidential client, legal or medical calls out unless your contract covers them. Our guide to which AI tools train on your data compares more tools.
Consent and Lawsuits
Otter faces consolidated privacy litigation in California and a biometric suit in Illinois. Superhuman, formerly Grammarly, bought Fathom in September 2026, so its roadmap may change.
Whatever you use, tell participants when a notetaker records, check local consent laws, and control automatic joining.
Our guide to fact-checking AI output also covers the checklist, and our list of the best AI for productivity ranks more tools.
Winners by Category
In short, Otter.ai wins for cheap live transcription. The other tool, by contrast, wins for a generous free plan.
Overall, in Otter.ai vs Fathom our scores favor Fathom, 3.5 against 3.2.
Which One to Choose
Therefore, take Otter.ai if you want cheap live transcription. Otherwise, the other tool may fit better.
Our page on Otter.ai alternatives, in addition, covers other options.
Whichever you pick, our guides to the best AI for summarization and the best AI tools for privacy also help.
Other pairings are covered in our Otter vs Fireflies and Fireflies vs Fathom comparisons.
How We Research
This Otter.ai vs Fathom comparison reuses the sources behind our reviews of each tool, read between July and October 4, 2026, including Fireflies’ privacy page and legal coverage.
However, we run no tests of our own. Our about page explains the criteria, and our list of the best AI for business covers more tools.
Otter.ai vs Fathom FAQ
Our scores favor Fathom, 3.5 against 3.2.
Entry paid plans are Pro $8.33 a month yearly and Premium $16 a month yearly, in that order.
For Otter.ai, its policy says it trains on de-identified recordings. For Fathom, its help center says it does not train on recordings, though one review reports use of de-identified data.
Both can join from your calendar; you can change that in settings and should announce recording.
Yes, but two bots in one call is clumsy; pick one per meeting.
The Verdict
Overall, Otter.ai vs Fathom favors Fathom on our scores. The other, however, still wins for its own kind of job.
So pick by the job, check the output, and also keep sensitive material out of lower plans.