Granola Alternatives (2026): 10 Apps Compared

Granola is an AI notepad for meetings. You type your own rough notes while the call is on, it transcribes the audio in the background, and it tidies your notes afterwards. There's no bot sitting in the call, which many people like. Others want different things, such as automatic summaries for the whole team, recordings you can replay, other languages or a Chrome extension.

Here are ten alternatives to Granola in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. A couple are well-known names and most are smaller or more specialised apps. I've taken every description from each app's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on each site before you sign up. If you want a wider overview, my guide to AI transcription software covers the transcription side in more depth.

Granola alternatives side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means a permanent free plan or tier according to the tool's own site, and Trial only means a free trial or a short free allowance but no ongoing free plan. No would mean the site states neither. Limits change often, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Bluedot	Bot-free recorder	Browser, desktop and mobile capture without a bot	Trial only
Circleback	Meeting notetaker	Notes, action items and automations	Yes
Fathom	Meeting notetaker	Summaries that sync to your other tools	Yes
Fireflies	Meeting assistant	Transcripts, search and CRM links	Yes
Jamie	Bot-free notetaker	Notes from your device with no meeting bot	Yes
Krisp	Noise cancelling and notes	Clear audio plus bot-free transcription	Trial only
Notta	Transcription app	Transcripts of meetings, interviews and lectures	Yes
Otter.ai	Meeting assistant	Searchable notes and live transcripts	Yes
Tactiq	Browser extension	Live transcription with no bot on the call	Yes
tl;dv	Meeting recorder	Recordings, transcripts and summaries in many languages	Yes

Ten AI meeting notes apps to try instead of Granola

Bluedot

Best for: People who want notes from online and in-person meetings without a bot joining, and a chance to try the core features first.

Circleback

Best for: Anyone who wants searchable notes and action items from video and in-person meetings, starting on a free plan.

Fathom

Best for: Sales and client-facing people who want call summaries sent to the tools they already use, starting on a free plan.

Fireflies

Best for: Teams who want call transcripts they can search and connect to project and CRM tools, with a free tier to start.

Jamie

Best for: Consultants and freelancers who want notes from online and in-person meetings with no virtual guest on the call.

Krisp

Best for: People on noisy calls who want cleaner sound and bot-free notes, with a short free look at the full feature set.

Notta

Best for: Students, researchers and professionals who want accurate-looking transcripts and summaries, with a free allowance each month.

Otter.ai

Best for: Anyone who wants automatic summaries and a searchable record of calls on the main video platforms.

Tactiq

Best for: Google Meet, Zoom and Teams users who want a free Chrome extension that transcribes without a bot joining.

tl;dv

Best for: Teams who work across languages and want recordings and summaries with a free plan that has no time limit.

How to compare AI meeting notes apps

These apps sound alike, so compare them on the things that change how a normal working day feels.

• Bot or no bot. Some apps join the call as a visible guest. Others record from your device quietly. Think about how your clients would feel about each.
• Where it works. Check which video platforms it supports, and whether it handles in-person meetings and phone calls.
• Your own notes. Some apps are built around your typing and improve it. Others produce a summary on their own.
• Summaries and action items. Look at a sample and ask whether you'd send it on to someone else without rewriting it.
• Search and sharing. You'll want to find a half-remembered comment from a few weeks back, and share a note with one person rather than everyone.
• Integrations. If notes need to reach a CRM, a task list or a shared folder, check that route before you commit.
• Languages. If you work in more than one language, check what is supported for transcripts and for summaries.

Questions to ask before you switch from Granola

• Can I export my existing notes and transcripts from my current app?
• Does the new app keep my own typed notes, or does it replace them?
• Where is the audio stored, and for how long?
• Can I delete a recording and its transcript whenever I want?
• What does the free plan limit, such as the number of meetings or the length of each?
• Does it work on the computer, phone and meeting platforms I use?

Which AI meeting notes app suits which person

• Consultants and freelancers often like a quiet app that works from their own device and keeps client calls feeling personal.
• Sales and account teams usually want summaries that flow into a CRM and a shared place to search calls.
• Founders and managers with back-to-back meetings may value action items and a simple way to find decisions later.
• Researchers, journalists and students tend to want accurate transcripts and good export options.
• Teams that work across languages should test a sample call in each language they use.

Notes only help if they change what you do next. My thoughts on how an AI meeting assistant saves time cover where that time goes, and the trade-offs are worth knowing.

Telling people about AI meeting notes and recording consent

Always tell people when a call is being transcribed or recorded, even if the app doesn't show a visible bot. Rules on recording and consent differ from country to country and sometimes from state to state, and some clients have their own policies. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

My piece on the consent problem with AI notetakers on client calls explains why a quick, friendly heads-up goes a long way. It's also sensible to check a summary before you share it, because AI can miss or misread details.

AI meeting notes mistakes to avoid

• Starting a transcript without telling everyone on the call.
• Sending an AI summary to a client without reading it first.
• Storing recordings for longer than you need them.
• Choosing an app on its feature list without trying it on a real meeting.
• Letting the app write all the notes and then never reading them back.
• Forgetting to check who else in your team can see a recording.

Why a smaller AI meeting notes app can be a smart pick

Smaller apps often focus on one kind of user, such as freelancers who want a quiet notepad or teams who want recordings they can replay. They tend to be quick to learn and they add features fast.

Before you rely on one, check that it's still being updated, read how it handles your data and test it on a short, low-stakes meeting. Make sure you can export your notes.

Do you make an AI meeting notes or transcription app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Final checks for your AI meeting notes shortlist

Pick two apps that suit how you work, then try each on one or two real meetings. Compare how natural it feels during the call, how good the notes look afterwards and how easily you can share and delete them. Keep whichever feels right and respects the people on your calls.

Frequently asked questions

What does an AI meeting notes app do?

It listens to a call, produces a transcript and turns it into notes, summaries and action items. Some join as a visible participant and others work quietly from your device.

Why look for an alternative to Granola?

People often want a different mix of features, such as team sharing, recordings, more languages or a different way to try it for free. Work out which matters most to you first.

Must I tell people I'm using an AI notetaker?

Rules vary, but it's good practice to tell people when a call is being transcribed. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

Are AI meeting summaries always accurate?

No. They can miss context or misread a name or a decision, so read a summary before you share it or act on it.

Do I need a bot on the call?

Not necessarily. Some apps join as a visible guest and others record from your device. Choose the approach that suits your clients and your platform.