Otter.ai alternatives: Fathom, Fireflies and the transcription you may already have
Teams usually look past Otter for one of three reasons: the 30-minute free-plan cap, language coverage, or the 100-user minimum for single sign-on. Here is which alternative answers which reason.
On this page
Key takeaways
- Fathom is the alternative when Otter’s 30-minute free cap is the problem.
- Fireflies is the alternative when you need more than Otter’s six languages.
- Otter’s SSO needs a 100-user Enterprise license; Fathom and Fireflies list SSO on Enterprise without that minimum.
- Teams and Meet may already transcribe for you.
Why people look for an alternative
Otter is our best overall pick, but three limits on its pricing page push some teams elsewhere: free conversations stop at 30 minutes, transcription covers six languages, and SSO needs an Enterprise license with a 100-user minimum.
| If Otter falls short on… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Fathom | Unlimited recordings and transcriptions on the free plan |
| Languages | Fireflies.ai | Lists 100+ transcription languages, including on Free |
| SSO for a smaller team | Fathom or Fireflies.ai | Both list SSO on Enterprise; neither pricing page states a 100-user minimum |
| Adding another vendor at all | Built-in transcription | Teams and Meet can transcribe natively, depending on your plan and settings |
Fathom
Fathom’s free plan has unlimited recordings and transcriptions with instant summaries. AI action items start on Premium ($16/user/mo, annual). Its Team plan adds a shared workspace with folders, comments and playlists.
Fireflies.ai
Fireflies lists transcription in more than 100 languages. The free plan has limited AI summaries and 400 minutes of storage per team; Pro is $10 per seat per month, billed annually.
Transcription you may already have
Microsoft Teams can transcribe meetings when your admin’s meeting policy allows it, and Google Meet saves transcripts to the organizer’s Drive on supported Workspace editions. See Teams transcription settings and where Meet saves transcripts.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Otter without a time limit per meeting?
Fathom’s free plan lists unlimited recordings and transcriptions.
Can I avoid a third-party tool entirely?
Possibly. Teams and Meet both offer native transcription, subject to your plan and admin settings.
