Fathom Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Fathom is an AI meeting assistant that records your Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams calls, then writes a summary, a transcript and a list of action items. It has built a loyal following, and plenty of people stick with it. If you'd like a bot-free option, a different mix of features or a tool that fits your way of working, here are some Fathom alternatives worth a look.

Below are ten alternatives to Fathom in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Most are smaller, focused tools and a couple are better known. I've taken every description from each tool's own website or help pages, so check the current details on each site before you rely on one. If you're weighing up whether notes are right for your own client calls, my thoughts on using an AI notetaker in client meetings cover the trust side of it.

Fathom alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free option, usually with limits on meetings or credits. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. These details shift often, so it's worth checking before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Bluedot	Bot-free recorder	Recording meetings from your own device	Yes
Circleback	Notes and automations	Meeting notes that trigger follow-up actions	Yes
Jamie	Bot-free notetaker	Online and in-person meeting notes	Yes
Krisp	Noise cancelling and notes	Clean audio plus AI meeting notes	Trial only
MeetGeek	AI meeting assistant	Summaries, transcripts and search across meetings	Yes
Notta	Transcription and notes	Transcripts in many languages	Yes
Read AI	Meeting recaps	Summaries, search and a meeting coach	Yes
Supernormal	Desktop notetaker	Notes captured without a bot	Yes
Tactiq	Browser extension	Live transcripts in Zoom, Meet and Teams	Yes
tl;dv	Recorder and clips	Recording, transcripts and shareable clips	Yes

Ten AI meeting recorders and note takers

Bluedot

Best for: People who'd rather not send a bot into calls and want notes captured from Chrome, desktop or mobile.

Circleback

Best for: Teams who want action items and notes sent on to the other tools they use after each meeting.

Jamie

Best for: Consultants and freelancers who meet clients face to face as well as online and want no bot in the room.

Krisp

Best for: Remote workers who take calls from noisy places and want clear audio and notes from one app.

MeetGeek

Best for: Small teams who want summaries and a searchable history, with bot-free capture available.

Notta

Best for: Anyone who works across languages and wants transcripts plus summaries in one place.

Read AI

Best for: Professionals who want recaps across meetings, email and messages, with some coaching on how calls went.

Supernormal

Best for: Solo professionals who like a desktop app that writes up each call without joining it.

Tactiq

Best for: People who prefer a light browser extension that transcribes calls as they happen, with no bot.

tl;dv

Best for: Teams who want to record calls, share short clips and keep a library of meetings.

How to choose an AI meeting recorder

Fathom covers recording, transcripts, summaries and action items. Few alternatives do everything in the same way, so decide which of these matters most to you.

• Bot or no bot. Some tools join your call as a visible guest. Others record audio from your device quietly in the background.
• Platforms. Check that it works with the video apps your clients use, and with phone or in-person meetings if you need that.
• Summary quality. Look at a sample summary, and see whether you can edit it before sharing.
• Search and storage. Can you find what was said three months ago, and how long are recordings kept?
• Sharing. Can you send a short clip or a summary without sending the whole recording?
• Languages. If you meet people in more than one language, check what's supported.

Recording consent: tell people before your AI notetaker joins

Whichever tool you pick, tell people when a meeting is being recorded or transcribed. Rules on recording differ by country and by state, and some places need everyone's consent. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

• Say it at the start of the call, and put it in the invitation too.
• Ask clients first if the call is sensitive or confidential.
• Offer to turn the recorder off if someone is uncomfortable.
• Check where the tool stores recordings and who in your team can see them.
• Having no bot on the call doesn't mean you can skip telling people.

I've written more on this in my piece about how AI notetakers affect client trust.

Which kind of meeting notes tool suits which working style

• Freelancers and consultants often want a light, bot-free tool that works for in-person and online chats.
• Small teams usually care about shared libraries, searchable history and clips.
• Sales and client-facing roles may want notes to flow into a CRM or follow-up email.
• People in noisy places can benefit from a tool that cleans up audio.
• Multilingual teams should put language support first.

Switching your meeting notes tool without losing history

Before you move away from Fathom, export or save the recordings and summaries you want to keep. Then run the new tool alongside the old one for a week or two on real meetings.

• Check whether your old transcripts and recordings can be exported.
• Re-connect your calendar so the new tool joins or listens to the right meetings.
• Tell your regular contacts if the notetaker's name or behaviour changes.
• Set your sharing defaults so summaries only go where you want them.
• Delete anything you no longer need from the old account.

Why a smaller meeting recorder can be worth a look

Smaller tools often focus on one thing, such as no-bot recording or clips, and they tend to listen to their users. Before you commit, check that the tool is still being updated, read its privacy information and try it on a few real calls.

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

A short checklist before you choose a notetaker

Shortlist two tools, then run each on the same meeting. Compare the summaries, check the sharing options and read what happens to your recordings. Keep the one that feels easy to use and that you can explain clearly to the people you meet.

Frequently asked questions

What does an AI meeting recorder do?

It records or listens to a call, turns the speech into a transcript, and usually writes a summary and a list of action items.

Do I need a bot on the call?

Not always. Some tools join as a visible participant, while others capture audio from your own device. Both approaches still call for telling people they're being recorded.

Is it legal to record a meeting?

Rules differ by country and state, and some need everyone's consent. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

Can I trust the summaries?

They're a helpful draft, not a final record. Skim the transcript for anything important and fix mistakes before you share a summary.

Where are my recordings stored?

It depends on the tool. Read its privacy information, and check how long recordings are kept and how to delete them.