Head to head

Carv vs Fathom

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Carv

$60/user/mo

AI interview notes, write-ups, and ATS fill for recruiting agencies. Recruitment Pro is commonly quoted at $60/user/mo; the vendor has no published price grid.

Where Carv fits

  • Recruiting agencies that live on intake calls
  • Desks on Bullhorn, Greenhouse, Lever, or Workable
  • Recruiters drowning in notes and write-ups
  • Teams that will accept AI in the interview workflow

Fathom

$15/user/mo Free tier Free trial

General AI note taker with unlimited recordings, transcripts and instant summaries on the free plan. Team is $15/user/mo billed annually with a two user minimum; Business adds CRM field sync.

Where Fathom fits

  • Solo recruiters who want an uncapped free note taker
  • Agency desks that live in a CRM for client work
  • Teams that share call highlights through playlists
  • Buyers who want a long money back window

At a glance

DetailCarvFathom
Starting price$60/user/mo$15/user/mo
Free tier–No✓Yes
Free trialNot on recordYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underAI note takers, InterviewingAI note takers

Where they pull apart

Carv

Stands out: Joins the interview, writes the note, and pushes a candidate presentation back to Bullhorn, Greenhouse, Lever, or Workable.

Watch out: Packaging is demo-led and the product now leans toward agentic volume hiring, so confirm the seat price on a call rather than budgeting from the $60 figure. The five-meeting free plan is a usage cap, not a timed trial.

Not the right fit for

  • Enterprises that need HireVue-style structured video
  • TA teams that will not record interviews
  • Buyers who need a published price grid

Fathom

Stands out: Fathom's free plan has no cap on recordings, transcripts or instant summaries, and paid plans come with a 90 day money back guarantee.

Watch out: There is no ATS writeback, only CRM sync. Team and Business need at least two users, and Team works out cheaper than the individual Premium plan.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need interview notes in an ATS
  • Solo buyers who want Team pricing without a second seat

Pros and cons

Carv

  • Notes and write-ups that actually land in the ATS
  • Bullhorn, Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, and Teams named
  • Built for agency intakes, not enterprise video exams
  • No published pricing grid
  • Product marketing has shifted toward agentic volume hiring
  • Five-meeting free plan is not a timed trial

Fathom

  • Unlimited recordings and summaries free
  • 90 day money back guarantee
  • Bot free capture on Mac (beta)
  • No ATS writeback
  • Two user minimum on Team and Business
  • Account wide Ask Fathom is still in beta

What each one costs

Carv

$60/user/mo

Free trial of 5 meetings. Recruiter Pro from about $60/user/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 15 Sep 2026

Fathom

$15/user/mo

Free covers unlimited recordings, transcription and instant AI summaries. Premium, for individuals, is $16/user/mo billed annually ($20 monthly). Team is $15/user/mo billed annually ($19 monthly) with a two user minimum. Business is $25/user/mo billed annually ($34 monthly) and adds CRM field sync and AI scorecards. Enterprise is quoted. Paid plans have a free trial and a 90 day money back guarantee. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 22 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Carv cheaper than Fathom?
Fathom starts lower, at $15/user/mo against $60/user/mo for Carv. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Carv or Fathom for free?
Fathom carries a free tier on our listing. Fathom offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Carv alternatives All Fathom alternatives Every AI note takers tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 15 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?