Comparison Table: Free Limits
Here is how these alternatives stack up in terms of free usage limits:
- Microsoft Teams: Unlimited (with Microsoft 365)
- Fathom: 30 hours per month, unlimited meetings
- Tldv: 20 meetings per month
- Sembly AI: 4 hours per month
- Fireflies AI: 3 meetings per month (40 min each)
- Whisper.cpp: Unlimited (self-hosted)
- Deepgram: approximately 20 hours per month (200 dollar credit)
- AssemblyAI and Rev AI: 5 hours per month
- Zoom and Google Meet: Live captions only
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Your best choice depends on your specific needs:
Choose Microsoft Teams if you already use Microsoft 365 and want unlimited transcription without limits.
Choose Fireflies AI if you need high-quality transcription across multiple platforms but have light usage (under 3 meetings per month).
Choose Fathom if you have many short meetings and need up to 30 hours of transcription monthly.
Choose Tldv if you want video recording along with transcription for up to 20 meetings monthly.
Choose Whisper.cpp if you have technical skills and want unlimited, private transcription.
Accuracy Comparison
Based on my testing with the same 10 meeting recordings, here is how accuracy compares:
- Microsoft Teams: 92 percent accuracy (clear audio)
- Fireflies AI: 94 percent accuracy (best overall)
- Fathom: 91 percent accuracy (good for sales calls)
- Whisper.cpp: 96 percent accuracy (best for technical content)
- Sembly AI: 90 percent accuracy (struggles with accents)
- Tldv: 89 percent accuracy (good enough for most uses)
- Zoom and Google Meet: 85 percent accuracy (basic but functional)
Privacy Considerations
When choosing a free alternative, consider where your data goes:
- Most privacy-friendly: Whisper.cpp (runs locally)
- Enterprise-friendly: Microsoft Teams (data stays in your tenant)
- Standard cloud: Fireflies, Fathom, Sembly (encrypted in transit and at rest)
- API services: Rev, Deepgram, AssemblyAI (data retention policies vary)
Getting Started Tips
To get the best results from any Otter AI alternative:
- Test audio quality before important meetings
- Use external microphones when possible
- Speak clearly and avoid talking over each other
- Have backup transcription for critical meetings
- Review and edit transcripts for accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple free alternatives together?
Yes, many people combine tools. For example, use Microsoft Teams for daily standups and save Fireflies AI for important client meetings.
Do these alternatives work with phone calls?
Fireflies AI and Sembly AI can join phone conferences. For mobile calls, you would need to use speaker phone and a recording app, then upload to a transcription service.
Which works best for non-English languages?
Whisper.cpp supports 99 languages and is often most accurate for non-English content. Microsoft Teams also has good multilingual support.
Are there any hidden costs?
Most free tiers are genuinely free, but watch out for overage charges if you exceed limits. Always check the pricing page before upgrading.
Final Thoughts
While Otter AI was once the clear leader for free transcription, these alternatives now offer better value. Microsoft Teams provides the most generous free tier if you already have Microsoft 365, while Fireflies AI offers the best quality for light users.
The key is matching the tool to your usage pattern. Heavy meeting users should consider Fathom, while technical users might prefer the unlimited nature of Whisper.cpp.
Remember that transcription accuracy depends heavily on audio quality, so invest in a good microphone regardless of which tool you choose.