Head to head

Fathom vs Read AI

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

Read AI

$15/user/mo Free tier

General AI note taker that writes meeting reports and coaches you on how you run calls. Free plan with 5 meetings a month; Pro from $15/user/mo billed annually.

Where Read AI fits

  • Recruiters who want feedback on how they run screening calls
  • Teams that want one search across meetings, email and chat
  • Zoom One subscribers, who get premium features through Zoom Essential Apps
  • Salesforce, HubSpot or Notion users on Pro

At a glance

DetailFathomRead AI
Starting price$15/user/mo$15/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

Read AI

Stands out: Read AI adds a personal meeting coach, with talking speed, filler words and engagement scores, and Ask Read searches meetings, email and messages together.

Watch out: The free plan covers only 5 meetings a month. Audio and video playback start on the Enterprise plan, not Pro, and there is no ATS writeback.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need interview notes filed in an ATS
  • Anyone who needs video playback on a Pro budget

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

Read AI

  • Personal meeting coach on every plan
  • Search across meetings, email and messages
  • Reports in 16+ languages
  • Free plan limited to 5 meetings a month
  • Video playback not on Pro
  • No ATS writeback

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

Read AI

$15/user/mo

Free covers 5 meeting transcripts a month. Pro is $15/user/mo billed annually ($19.75 monthly) with unlimited transcripts and premium integrations. Enterprise is $22.50/user/mo billed annually ($29.75 monthly) and adds audio and video playback. Enterprise+ is $29.75/user/mo billed annually ($39.75 monthly), needs 5 or more licences and adds HIPAA, SAML and SCIM. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 22 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Fathom cheaper than Read AI?
Fathom starts lower, at $15/user/mo against $15/user/mo for Read AI. 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 Read AI for free?
Fathom and Read AI 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?