Otter AI

Otter.ai is an AI-powered meeting transcription and note-taking platform designed to record, transcribe, and summarise conversations in real-time. Launched in 2016, it has evolved into a comprehensive meeting assistant, integrating with major video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Key milestones include:

• 2018: Introduction of real-time transcription and speaker identification.

• 2020: Launch of OtterPilot, an AI bot that automatically joins and transcribes meetings.

• 2023: Expansion of AI features, including automated summaries, action items, and AI chat.

• 2025: Enhanced security compliance (SOC 2, GDPR) and mobile app improvements.
  Otter.ai targets professionals, educators, and teams seeking to streamline meeting documentation and collaboration, with over 10 million users by 2025.

Features and Functionality

Otter.ai combines speech recognition with collaborative tools:

• Real-Time Transcription: Transcribes meetings live with speaker identification and timestamps.

• OtterPilot: Automatically joins scheduled meetings (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams) and records conversations even if the host is absent.

• AI Summarisation: Generates meeting summaries, outlines, and action items automatically.

• AI Chat: Allows users to ask questions about transcripts (e.g., “What were the key decisions?”) and generate content.

• Collaboration Tools: Supports comments, highlights, and shared workspaces for team editing.

• Integrations: Works with Slack, Dropbox, Google Calendar, and Salesforce via Zapier (7,000+ apps).

• Security: SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, encryption, and two-factor authentication.

• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android apps for on-the-go recording and transcription.

Pros & Cons Table

Overall Rating

4.0/5 ★★★★☆
Otter.ai excels in automation and ease of use, making it ideal for teams needing quick meeting transcriptions and summaries. However, accuracy inconsistencies, privacy issues, and restrictive free tier limits its appeal. Versus competitors:

• vs. Notta: Otter offers better integrations but lower accuracy.

• vs. Rev: Otter is more affordable for live transcription but less accurate for prerecorded files.

Key Reviews with Links

1. CNET (2025):

   • Verdict: “Useful for catching up on meetings but requires transcript cleaning.” Praises AI Chat but notes errors.

   • Full Review

2. Trustpilot (2025):

   • Verdict: Mixed reviews (1.5/5). Users praise transcription speed but report billing issues and unauthorised meeting access.

   • User Reviews

3. PCMag (2025):

   • Verdict: “Editors’ Choice for transcription automation.” Highlights integrations but criticises upload limits.

   • Detailed Analysis

4. Stackfix (2025):

   • Verdict: “6/10 – Best for low-meeting-volume teams.” Notes poor accuracy with technical jargon.

   • Expert Review

Summary: Key Points

• Strengths:

  • ⚡ Automation: OtterPilot automates meeting joining and transcription.

  • 🤝 Collaboration: Real-time editing, comments, and shared action items enhance teamwork.

  • 🌐 Integrations: Works with major conferencing tools and Zapier.

• Weaknesses:

  • 🎯 Accuracy: Struggles with accents, noise, and punctuation; requires manual editing.

  • 🔒 Privacy: Joins meetings without explicit consent, raising ethical concerns.

  • 💸 Pricing: Free tier is limited; paid plans retain restrictions.

• Ideal For:

  • Teams needing automated meeting transcriptions and summaries.

  • Educators and professionals seeking collaboration features.

  • Avoid if requiring high accuracy for technical content or unlimited recordings.

• Pricing:

  • Free: 300 mins/month, 30 mins/recording.

  • Pro: $10/month (1,200 mins, 90 mins/recording).

  • Business: $20/month (6,000 mins, 4 hours/recording).

• Alternatives: Notta (better accuracy), Rev (human transcription), Fireflies.ai (unlimited plans)