Overview of each tool
What is Otter.ai?
Otter.ai offers real-time transcription and powerful summary tools. It’s widely used by teams, students, and professionals to document meetings, lectures, and interviews with accuracy.
- Live transcription during meetings
- Speaker identification and keyword highlights
- Custom vocabulary for better accuracy
What is Fireflies.ai?
Fireflies.ai also transcribes meetings but adds automation and productivity layers like note tagging, task suggestions, and smart reminders.
- Integrates with Zoom, Meet, MS Teams, and more
- AI-based summary with action item extraction
- CRM and calendar syncing capabilities
Comparison table
| Feature | Otter.ai | Fireflies.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Live transcription | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Meeting summaries | Basic | Advanced (action items, follow-ups) |
| CRM integrations | No | Yes |
| Audio search & highlights | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Custom prompts & workflows | Limited | Flexible via AI assistant |
Best use cases
- Otter.ai is best for students, teams taking collaborative notes, or interview transcriptions.
- Fireflies.ai excels for sales reps, project managers, and anyone needing structured follow-up actions.
Pricing
- Otter.ai: Free plan available, paid starts at $10/month.
- Fireflies.ai: Free plan available, paid starts at $18/month.
Final verdict
Choose Otter.ai for simplicity and speed. Choose Fireflies.ai if you want your meeting notes to drive action with smart summaries and integrations.
Pro tip: Try both on your next few meetings and compare which one gives you more clarity and saves you more time.