Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Comparison: Head-to-head analysis
5 min read
Comparison

Fathom vs Otter.ai

Complete comparison guide to help you choose the right communication tool for your needs.

4.9
6,664 reviews
Free tier available
VS
4.2
1,115 reviews
Free tier available
01

The Winner

Our Pick

Fathom

Wins for overall value, user satisfaction, and Sales teams needing CRM automation.

4.9 Rating
Yes Free Tier
Free Starting Price
1M+ Users
02

Quick Comparison

Criteria Fathom Otter.ai
Starting Price Free tier Free tier
User Rating 4.9 Best 4.2
Review Count 6,664 Best 1,115
Free Trial No No
Annual Discount N/A N/A
Best For Sales teams needing CRM automation Real-time meeting transcription & editing
03

Feature Breakdown

Feature Comparison

Capability Fathom Otter.ai
AI Scheduling Automated calendar and task scheduling
Calendar Integration Syncs with major calendars
Meeting Management Meeting scheduling and coordination
Team Collaboration Multi-user and team features
AI Assistant/Chat AI-powered conversational features
Analytics & Insights Data and productivity insights

Fathom

Strengths
  • Best Free Tier in the Category
  • CRM Sync Saves Massive Time
  • AI Scorecards for Coaching
  • Ask Fathom Conversational AI
Limitations
  • Limited Platform Support
  • Free Tier Caps AI Features
  • Team Tier Minimum 2 Users
Full Fathom Review →

Otter.ai

Strengths
  • Real-time collaborative editing
  • Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
  • Slide capture integration
  • Seamless meeting platform integration
Limitations
  • Accuracy drops with accents or background noise
  • Weak action item detection
  • Limited language support
Full Otter.ai Review →
04

Fathom Overview

If you're drowning in meeting notes or manually logging CRM data after every call, Fathom is a game-changer. The free tier is genuinely useful with unlimited recordings and storage. Premium at $20/month unlocks unlimited AI features and Ask Fathom assistant. The generous free plan makes it risk-free to try.

Best For:

  • Sales teams needing CRM automation
  • Users wanting a generous free tier with unlimited recording and storage
  • Teams needing quick, accurate meeting summaries and action items
  • Sales teams requiring CRM sync automation (HubSpot, Salesforce)
  • Organizations prioritizing ease of use and simple setup
Read Full Fathom Review
05

Otter.ai Overview

Otter.ai excels at real-time meeting transcription with collaborative note-taking, offering live editing, AI summaries, and slide capture integration. Best for product and content teams needing searchable meeting notes with immediate editing. However, it only supports 4 languages (English, French, Spanish, Japanese), has weaker action item detection than competitors, and can be expensive for teams compared to free alternatives like Fathom.

Best For:

  • Real-time meeting transcription & editing
  • Collaborative note-taking where team members need to highlight and comment during meetings
  • Product and content teams needing searchable, live meeting notes
  • Teams primarily using Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams
  • Organizations requiring slide capture integration in meeting notes
  • Small to medium teams on English-language calls
Read Full Otter.ai Review
06

Our Verdict

4.9/5
Winner Rating

Fathom is our top pick for most users, thanks to its higher user ratings. However, Otter.ai remains a solid choice if you need Real-time meeting transcription & editing.

Try Fathom Free
07

Fathom vs Otter.ai FAQ

Both Fathom and Otter.ai are excellent tools. Fathom is better for Sales teams needing CRM automation, while Otter.ai excels at Real-time meeting transcription & editing. Your choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Fathom pricing: Free tier available. Otter.ai pricing: Free tier available. Pricing varies, but compare features at each tier to find the best value for your needs.
Yes, many teams use multiple tools for different purposes. Fathom might handle Sales teams needing CRM automation, while Otter.ai covers Real-time meeting transcription & editing. Check integration options for both tools.
Both offer robust support. Fathom provides standard support, while Otter.ai offers Priority support. Enterprise plans typically include dedicated support for both.
Consider switching if Otter.ai better fits your current needs. Key factors: Real-time meeting transcription & editing, pricing alignment, and team workflow compatibility. We recommend trialing Otter.ai before making a full switch.