Free AI meeting note takers: compare the real limits

Direct answer

Fathom, Otter, and Fireflies document ongoing free plans, but their limits use different units. Compare live capture, imported files, retained storage, and AI features separately. An unlimited-recording claim does not establish that every team workflow is free.

The limits are not interchangeable

Tool	Verified free-plan detail	Important qualification	Checked	Source
Fathom	Unlimited recordings and instant call summaries advertised	Advanced and team features are plan-dependent	2026-10-22	Plans
Otter	300 transcription minutes/month	3 audio/video file imports over the account lifetime	2026-10-22	Plans
Fireflies	400 minutes of storage per team	AI summaries limited; unlimited transcription has conditions	2026-10-22	Plans

Choose around the meeting you need to retain

For recurring live meetings, verify the meeting platform and capture method before counting minutes. For old recordings, check file-import limits. For a shared team archive, storage and access controls may become the binding constraints. No numerical retention ceiling was established for Fathom in this pass, so we do not describe it as unlimited storage.

Check permission and the output

Explain recording and access to participants and follow the policies that apply to your workplace. Check names, amounts, decisions, and action items against the recording before circulating notes. This guide does not claim legal compliance or audited privacy controls.

Read Fathom vs Otter and Fireflies vs Otter for workflow decisions. We have not benchmarked transcription accuracy.

Sources and method

Official documentation checked 2026-10-22. This is source-based editorial analysis, not a hands-on test or benchmark. Plan and redemption rules can change. Follow the linked primary sources and confirm the current account terms before acting.