Fireflies.ai vs Fathom.ai vs Fellow.app: Which AI Note Taker is Better?

Hello everyone, I'm Ross, and today we're diving into Fireflies.ai, Fathom.ai, and Fellow.app to evaluate their pros and cons and see how they stack up against each other. Let's get started.

Fireflies.ai

When you land on Fireflies.ai, the first thing they ask is to connect with either your Microsoft or Google account. However, soon after, they request access to your calendar, which can be quite bothersome. Inside the app, the interface seems cluttered with numerous elements competing for your attention.

Recording Meetings with Fireflies

Ad hoc Recordings:
- Start a meeting, copy the link, add it to Fireflies, and wait for the bot to join.
- Awkwardly explain the bot to other participants and wait for it to leave once the meeting ends.
Scheduled Meetings:
- Set Fireflies to join scheduled meetings automatically, yet still explain the bot and wait for transcription.
- Manually remove the bot if it overstays.

Concerns

User Interface is overwhelming.
Transcriptions and AI summaries are not immediate, taking time to process.
Lower transcription accuracy.

Features

Integrates with multiple platforms like Notion and CRM tools.
Allows querying meetings and generates responses based on meeting content.

Pricing

$ 18/month for unlimited transcriptions and summaries but no video.
$ 29/month for all features including video support.

Blu.ai

Blue Dot, unlike Fireflies, is a Google Chrome extension for Google Meet, allowing you to record meetings without external bots, thus backed by Google.

Recording Meetings with Blu.ai

Install the extension, start Google Meet, and record instantly.
Avoids the need to explain a bot and offers real-time transcription and immediate access to recordings.

Features

Real-time transcriptions and customizable meeting summaries.
Integration with Slack, HubSpot, Google Calendar, and more.
Allows customized templates for different meeting types and can generate follow-up emails based on meeting content.

Pricing

$ 18/month for audio-only recordings (up to 1 hour).
$ 25/month for unlimited features including video.

Conclusion

Better experience than other bot-based tools, Blue Dot offers real-time, bot-free recording and transcription.

Fathom

Initially designed for Zoom, Fathom's usability for Google Meet is relatively clunky. Downloading its macOS or Windows app is recommended for optimal experience.

Recording Meetings with Fathom

Install the extension and app, start Google Meet, wait for the bot to join, and then manage recording through the app.
A bit confusing as it requires manual intervention to initiate the recording.

Features

Similar to Fireflies with bookmarks, action items, and integrations.
Metrics for team performance analysis.

Pricing

$ 9/month for basic features.
$ 29-$ 39/month for team and advanced features.

Fellow.app

Fellow.app started as a tool for manual note-taking and meeting management and now includes AI note-taking in beta.

Recording Meetings with Fellow.app

Connect your Google Calendar and use the extension to initiate recording manually or by copy-pasting the meeting link.
Extension prompts you to admit the bot to start recording.

Concerns

The experience is cluttered, making it less intuitive.
Limited AI note-taking features as it was not initially designed for this purpose.

Features and Pricing

Requires $ 7/month for 5 AI recordings, with higher plans for more extensive usage.
Not very competitive for AI-driven note-taking.

Summary

Here's a quick comparison:

Fireflies.ai: Overwhelming interface, delayed transcriptions, and bot interruptions.
Blu.ai: Real-time, bot-free, immediate access to recordings, and superior transcription accuracy. Priced affordably at $ 25/month for full features.
Fathom: Clunky for Google Meet, designed for Zoom, mixed experience with multiple bots. Priced around $ 29-$ 39/month.
Fellow.app: Primarily for manual note-taking, AI feature in beta, less competitive in AI-driven note-taking. Requires $ 7/month for limited features.

Keywords

Fireflies.ai, Blu.ai, Fathom.ai, Fellow.app, AI note taker, transcription, meeting recording, Google Meet, Zoom, integrations, pricing, user experience

FAQ

Q1: Does Fireflies.ai provide real-time transcriptions? A1: No, Fireflies.ai transcriptions take time to process after the meeting.

Q2: Can Blu.ai record meetings without bots? A2: Yes, Blu.ai records meetings directly without any external bots, offering real-time transcription.

Q3: Is Fathom.ai primarily designed for Zoom or Google Meet? A3: Fathom.ai was initially designed for Zoom, making its experience clunky for Google Meet users.

Q4: How much does Fellow.app charge for AI note-taking? A4: Fellow.app charges $ 7/month for 5 AI recordings, with more extensive usage plans costing more.

Q5: Which tool offers the best meeting recording experience? A5: Blu.ai offers the best experience with real-time recording, immediate access to transcriptions, and no bot interruptions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right AI note-taking tool depends greatly on your specific needs and meeting platform. For a bot-free, real-time transcription experience, Blu.ai stands out as the best option. Fireflies.ai and Fathom.ai have their unique features but come with their share of complications, especially concerning bots. Fellow.app, while useful for manual note-taking, needs more refinement in its AI capabilities.