Pricing checked against each provider's official pricing pages as of September 2026. Meeting-tool pricing structures change often — verify current plan details before subscribing.
Every AI meeting assistant does the same basic job — join the call, transcribe it, and hand you a summary — but the four biggest names have drifted into different pricing models and niches. Otter and Fireflies price per seat with monthly minute or credit caps. Fathom and Granola have both restructured toward business-tier pricing in 2026, phasing out cheaper solo plans.
Pricing at a glance
| Tool | Free tier | Entry paid plan | Team/business tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otter | 300 min/mo, 30-min call cap | Pro: ~$8.33/mo annual (1,200 min) | Business: $19.99/user/mo annual |
| Fireflies | Unlimited transcription/summaries | Pro: $10/seat/mo annual (8,000 min) | Business: $19/seat/mo annual |
| Fathom | Unlimited recording, 5 AI summaries/mo | Premium: $16/user/mo annual | Business: $25/user/mo annual |
| Granola | Basic: capped at 25 notes total | — (no solo tier) | Business: $14/user/mo |
Where each one wins
Otter is the most familiar and the cheapest true solo plan — its Pro tier undercuts the others for an individual who just wants reliable transcription without team features. The 30-minute free-tier call cap is the main limitation to watch for.
Fireflies gives unlimited transcription and summaries even on the free plan, which is generous — but its most useful AI features (AskFred, advanced summaries, action items) run on a separate monthly credit allowance, so heavy users often pay more than the sticker price in practice.
Fathom has pushed hardest into sales workflows — its Business tier is built around Salesforce and HubSpot sync, and it backs paid plans with a 90-day money-back guarantee. The free plan's 5-summary cap makes it more of a trial than a long-term free option.
Granola took the most aggressive turn in 2026: it dropped its individual paid tier entirely and now only offers a capped free plan or a $14/user/month Business plan built for teams — solo users on a budget are better served elsewhere.
The 2026 shift: fewer solo-friendly plans
Notably, two of the four — Fathom and Granola — have moved away from clean individual pricing in 2026, pushing users toward team tiers instead. If you're shopping as a single user rather than buying for a team, Otter and Fireflies remain the more straightforwardly solo-friendly options; Fathom's free tier works as a trial, and Granola is really built for teams now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free AI meeting assistant?
Fathom's free plan offers unlimited recording and transcripts but only 5 AI summaries a month. Otter's free plan gives 300 transcription minutes with no summary cap.
Which AI notetaker is cheapest for a solo user?
Otter Pro at roughly $8.33/month annual is the cheapest named solo tier. Fireflies Pro at about $10/seat/month annual is close behind.
Does Granola have an individual/solo plan?
No — Granola retired its solo tier in 2026. It's now free (capped) or Business at $14/user/month.
Which AI meeting assistant integrates with CRM tools?
Fathom's Business plan is built around Salesforce/HubSpot sync. Fireflies and Granola also offer CRM integrations on their business tiers.
The bottom line
If you're buying for yourself, Otter or Fireflies are the more affordable, solo-friendly picks. If you're buying for a sales team that lives in a CRM, Fathom's Business tier is purpose-built for that. Granola is worth considering only once you're buying seats for a team — its 2026 pricing no longer serves individual budgets well.