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Otter.ai vs Fireflies.ai compares two AI meeting notetakers. Otter.ai joins calls, transcribes them live and writes summaries you can search and question. By contrast, Fireflies.ai transcribes calls without minute caps and pushes notes into CRMs.
Our reviews, for example, score Otter.ai 3.2 and Fireflies.ai 3.4. So the choice depends on the job and how much you care about data terms.
Otter.ai vs Fireflies.ai: The Short Answer
Choose Fireflies.ai, first, on our scores: it scores 3.4 against 3.2 and fits CRM-ready notes with no training on meetings.
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 | Fireflies.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cheap live transcription | CRM-ready notes with no training on meetings |
| Works in | Zoom, Meet, Teams; in-person app | Zoom, Meet, Teams |
| Free plan | 300 min a month | Unlimited transcription |
| Entry paid plan | Pro $8.33 a month yearly | Pro $10 a seat yearly |
| Billing | Minutes per month | Seats, storage, shared credits |
| Training on your data | Trains on de-identified data | No training on meetings |
| Our score | 3.2 | 3.4 |
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, Fireflies.ai transcribes calls without minute caps and pushes notes into CRMs. It suits people who want CRM-ready notes with no training on meetings.
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. Fireflies.ai, meanwhile, starts with unlimited transcription, with 400 minutes of storage per team, with Pro $10 a seat yearly as its entry paid plan.
Billing also works differently. Otter.ai uses monthly minutes, with Pro cut to 1,200.
Fireflies.ai, however, uses seats, storage caps and a small shared pool of AI credits. 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 Fireflies.ai, by contrast, it says it never trains on meeting content.
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. A 2025 Illinois class action alleges that Fireflies’ speaker recognition collected voiceprints without written consent.
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 CRM-ready notes with no training on meetings.
Overall, in Otter.ai vs Fireflies.ai our scores favor Fireflies.ai, 3.4 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 Fathom and Fireflies vs Fathom comparisons.
How We Research
This Otter.ai vs Fireflies.ai 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 Fireflies.ai FAQ
Our scores favor Fireflies.ai, 3.4 against 3.2.
Entry paid plans are Pro $8.33 a month yearly and Pro $10 a seat yearly, in that order.
For Otter.ai, its policy says it trains on de-identified recordings. For Fireflies.ai, it says it never trains on meeting content.
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 Fireflies.ai favors Fireflies.ai 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.