Head to head

Fathom vs Otter

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

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

Otter

$8.33/user/mo Free tier

General AI note taker that joins Zoom, Teams and Meet, writes a live transcript and sends a summary after each call. Free plan with 300 minutes a month; Pro from $8.33/user/mo billed annually.

Where Otter fits

  • Recruiters who want a free note taker for screening calls
  • Small teams on Zoom, Teams or Meet
  • People who want to read the transcript while the call is still running
  • HubSpot or Salesforce users on the Pro or Business plan

At a glance

DetailFathomOtter
Starting price$15/user/mo$8.33/user/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trialYesNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underAI note takersAI note takers

Where they pull apart

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

Otter

Stands out: Otter's transcript builds live during the call, so you can scroll back mid interview, and the free Basic plan gives 300 minutes a month without a card.

Watch out: Otter does not write notes into an ATS. Pro caps transcription at 1,200 minutes a month and 90 minutes a meeting, and SSO needs a 100 user Enterprise licence.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need interview notes filed on the candidate record in an ATS
  • Heavy users who would hit the 1,200 minute Pro cap

Pros and cons

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

Otter

  • Free plan with 300 minutes a month
  • Live transcript during the call
  • Mobile apps for in person conversations
  • No ATS integration
  • 1,200 minute monthly cap on Pro
  • SSO only with a 100 user licence

What each one costs

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

Otter

$8.33/user/mo

Basic is free with 300 transcription minutes a month and a 30 minute cap per conversation. Pro is $8.33/user/mo billed annually ($16.99 monthly) with 1,200 minutes and up to 90 minutes a meeting. Business is $19.99/user/mo billed annually ($30 monthly) with unlimited meetings and up to 4 hours a meeting. Enterprise is quoted. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 22 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Fathom cheaper than Otter?
Otter starts lower, at $8.33/user/mo against $15/user/mo for Fathom. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Fathom or Otter for free?
Fathom and Otter carry a free tier on our listing. Fathom offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 22 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?