AI meeting tools have exploded in popularity, but not everyone wants to commit to expensive subscriptions. The good news? In 2025, several excellent tools offer generous free tiers that can handle most individual and small team needs.
We've tested every major free AI meeting tool to help you understand exactly what you get - and what you give up - with each free plan. Whether you need transcription, automated notes, action item extraction, or multilingual support, there's a free option that fits.
Top Free AI Meeting Tools Compared
| Tool | Free Allowance | Best For | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otter.ai | 300 min/month | Real-time collaboration | 30 min per conversation |
| Fireflies.ai | 800 min storage | Search & integrations | Limited AI summaries |
| Notta | 120 min/month | Multilingual (58 languages) | 5 min per transcription |
| Tactiq | Unlimited live | Privacy-focused | Chrome extension only |
| Fathom | Unlimited meetings | Individual users | No team features |
| Jamie | Limited meetings | No bot in meetings | Desktop app required |
| Granola | 25 transcripts | Device audio capture | No phone calls |
Detailed Free Tier Breakdown
1. Otter.ai - Best for Real-Time Collaboration
What You Get Free
- 300 transcription minutes per month
- Real-time transcription during meetings
- Speaker identification
- Basic search functionality
- Mobile app access
- Up to 95% accuracy reported by users
Free Tier Limitations
- 30-minute max per conversation
- Limited export options
- No advanced AI summaries
- No CRM integrations
- No custom vocabulary
Pro Tip: Users report saving over 4 hours weekly by automating transcription with Otter. For short meetings under 30 minutes, the free tier is surprisingly capable.
2. Fireflies.ai - Best for Search & Organization
What You Get Free
- 800 minutes of storage
- Transcription in English, Spanish, French, and more
- Speaker diarization
- Detailed notes and action items
- Customized summaries after meetings
- Industry-leading transcription accuracy
Free Tier Limitations
- Limited AI summary credits
- No video recording
- Limited integrations
- No custom branding
- Storage limits apply
Best Feature: Fireflies excels at making your meeting content searchable. The free tier still gives you powerful search across all your transcripts.
3. Notta - Best for Multilingual Teams
What You Get Free
- 120 minutes per month
- Support for 58 languages
- 98.86% accuracy under optimal conditions
- Real-time transcription
- Basic export options
Free Tier Limitations
- 5-minute max per transcription
- Limited monthly minutes
- No team collaboration
- Basic AI features only
With 58 language support, Notta is unmatched for international teams. The accuracy is impressive when audio quality is good.
4. Tactiq - Best for Privacy-Conscious Users
What You Get Free
- Unlimited live transcription
- 60+ language support
- AI summaries included
- No audio/video storage (privacy feature)
- Chrome extension - easy setup
Free Tier Limitations
- Chrome browser only
- No recording playback
- Limited to web-based meetings
- Text-only output
Privacy Bonus: Tactiq doesn't store your audio - transcription happens in real-time and only the text is saved. Perfect for sensitive conversations.
5. Fathom - Most Generous Free Tier
What You Get Free
- Unlimited meeting recordings
- AI-generated summaries
- Action item extraction
- Google Docs integration
- Searchable transcripts
Free Tier Limitations
- Individual use only
- No team sharing features
- Limited CRM integrations
- Paid plans start at $15/user/month
Best Value: For solo users, Fathom's unlimited free tier is hard to beat. You get full transcription and AI features with no minute limits.
6. Jamie - Best No-Bot Solution
What You Get Free
- No meeting bot joins your calls
- Works offline
- GDPR compliant
- Works with any video platform
- Local audio processing
Free Tier Limitations
- Desktop app required (Mac/Windows)
- Limited free meeting count
- No mobile support
- Processing uses local resources
Unique Feature: Jamie transcribes directly from your computer's audio - no awkward bot joining your meetings. Great for client calls where bots might seem unprofessional.
How to Maximize Your Free Tools
1. Stack Multiple Free Tools
Use different tools for different purposes. For example:
- Tactiq for quick internal syncs (unlimited)
- Otter for client meetings (30-min limit is usually enough)
- Notta for international calls (58 languages)
2. Optimize Meeting Length
Keep meetings under 30 minutes to stay within Otter's free limits. Bonus: shorter meetings are usually more productive anyway!
3. Prioritize Which Meetings to Transcribe
Not every meeting needs AI transcription. Save your minutes for important client calls, strategy sessions, and meetings where you need detailed records.
4. Export and Archive Regularly
Download your transcripts before hitting storage limits. Most free tiers let you export to Google Docs, Word, or plain text.
When Should You Upgrade to Paid?
Signs You've Outgrown Free Tiers
- You're consistently hitting minute limits mid-month
- You need team collaboration features
- CRM integration is essential for your workflow
- You require advanced AI features like sentiment analysis
- Video recording is necessary (not just audio)
- You need custom vocabulary for industry-specific terms
Free Tiers Are Enough If...
- You have fewer than 10-15 meetings per month
- Your meetings are typically under 30 minutes
- You work solo or don't need team sharing
- Basic transcription and notes meet your needs
- You're willing to use multiple tools for different purposes
Paid Plan Comparison (When You're Ready)
| Tool | Starting Price | Key Upgrade Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Otter.ai Pro | $16.99/month | 6,000 min/month, 90-min meetings, advanced search |
| Fireflies Pro | $10/month | 8,000 min storage, video recording, unlimited AI |
| Notta Pro | $13.99/month | 1,800 min/month, unlimited length, team features |
| Fathom Team | $15/user/month | Team sharing, CRM integration, analytics |
| Granola Pro | $18/month | Unlimited transcripts, priority processing |
Bottom Line: Which Free Tool Should You Choose?
Best Overall Free Tier: Fathom
Unlimited meetings with full AI features - perfect for individuals who need it all without limits.
Best for Teams: Fireflies
800 minutes of storage with excellent search and organization - great for small teams getting started.
Best for Multilingual: Notta
58 languages with near-99% accuracy - unmatched for international collaboration.
Best for Privacy: Tactiq
No audio storage, unlimited live transcription - ideal for sensitive conversations.
Best No-Bot Option: Jamie
Transcribes without joining meetings - perfect when you want AI help without the awkwardness.