Fireflies vs Otter
Last updated · Prices change often; confirm on each tool's site.
Pick Fireflies.ai if you want a free notetaker for lots of Zoom, Google Meet and Teams calls, because its free plan allows unlimited transcriptions with auto-join while Otter's free plan stops at 300 minutes a month and 30 minutes per conversation. Pick Otter.ai if your meetings are short or in person, or if you want the cheaper paid plan ($8.33/month billed yearly vs $10 for Fireflies Pro).
Disclosure: our Fireflies.ai link is an affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; it never changes our verdict. How we make money.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireflies.ai Affiliate link (ad) | Unlimited transcription with auto-join; 400 min storage; 20 AI credits | Pro $18/mo, or $10/mo billed yearly | Recording and summarizing many online meetings |
| Otter.ai | 300 min/month, 30 min per conversation, 3 file imports total | Pro $16.99/mo, or $8.33/mo billed yearly | Live transcription, short meetings, in-person notes |
Who should pick which
- Pick Fireflies.ai if you have many calls or calls longer than 30 minutes and want transcripts without paying. On the free plan, summaries use transcription credits, storage is 400 minutes, and transcript downloads need a paid plan. Paid plans have unlimited transcription credits.
- Pick Otter.ai if you want a live transcript during the meeting, record in-person conversations on the mobile app, or want the lowest paid price. Otter Pro allows up to 90 minutes per meeting and 1,200 in-app recording minutes.
Good to know
- Both join Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Tell participants a notetaker is recording.
- Fireflies is an affiliate partner of ours. Otter isn't, and Otter wins on paid price; the comparison above is the same either way.
- Only want the free plan with the fewest limits? Fathom (not an affiliate of ours) gives unlimited recordings, transcripts and summaries free; see our free AI note takers guide.
FAQ
Which is better on the free plan, Fireflies or Otter?
For volume, Fireflies: unlimited transcriptions with auto-join versus Otter's 300 minutes a month and 30 minutes per conversation. Fireflies' free storage is 400 minutes, though, so you'll need to delete old recordings or upgrade.
Which is cheaper on a paid plan?
Otter. Otter Pro is $8.33/month billed yearly ($16.99 monthly); Fireflies Pro is $10/month billed yearly ($18 monthly).
Do Fireflies and Otter work with Zoom, Teams and Google Meet?
Yes. Both can join meetings on all three platforms, and both have mobile apps.
Is your Fireflies link an affiliate link?
Yes. If you buy a Fireflies plan through our link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change our comparison, which recommends Otter where Otter fits better.
Related guides
Sources
Prices and limits come from each vendor's own pricing or help pages unless noted, checked October 26, 2026.
- Fireflies plan prices
- Fireflies Free plan
- Fireflies transcription credits
- Otter.ai pricing
- Otter Basic plan limits
How we pick
We compare tools on fit for the job, free-tier limits and price, not on commissions. See our method and affiliate disclosure.
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