Are you tired of wasting hours in unproductive meetings? The best AI tools for taking meeting notes are revolutionizing how teams handle Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls. These smart assistants don’t just transcribe conversations—they automate action items, highlight decisions, and even translate discussions in real time.
Whether you’re a project manager drowning in follow-ups or a remote worker battling time zones, this guide reveals the top 5 AI tools to eliminate manual note-taking and reclaim your productivity.
Why automate your meetings?
In today’s remote-first world, AI-powered tools save time, improve accuracy, and reduce burnout. Here’s why teams are adopting them:
- 5+ hours saved weekly with automated summaries.
- Zero missed deadlines thanks to AI task tracking.
- Real-time captions for global teams.
Transforms Virtual Meetings
Imagine meetings where notes write themselves, action items auto-sync to Slack, and noise cancellation keeps calls crisp. AI tools like Fireflies.ai and Otter.ai make this reality—no more chaos, just productivity.
5 Best AI Tools for Taking Meeting Notes
1. Fireflies.ai – Your Meeting Detective🕵️
Fireflies.ai goes beyond transcription—its Smart Search digs through past meetings to surface client budget talks or competitor mentions in seconds. Sales teams love its seamless sync with Salesforce, while marketers use Speaker Analytics to identify key stakeholders in Q&A marathons.
Best For: CRM integrations and action item tracking.
Features:
- Detects tasks and integrates with Salesforce.
- Pricing: $10/user/month.
- Auto-transcribes Zoom/Teams calls.
How it works:
Invite Fireflies as a bot to your Zoom or Teams call. It captures audio, generates transcripts, and delivers searchable notes after the meeting.
2. tl;dv – The TikTok of Meetings🎥
tl;dv (too long; didn’t view) turns hours of meetings into bite-sized clips. Sales teams clip competitor mentions, while engineers save bug-repro steps. Its free plan and TikTok-style editing make it a hit for visual learners.
Best For: Video clip highlights.
Features:
- Free plan available.
- Pricing: Free tier + paid upgrades.
- One-click shareable clips.
How it works:
tl;dv auto-joins your Zoom or Teams call, transcribes it, and lets you clip highlights for quick sharing.
3. Fathom – Free & Fuss-Free Notes📝
Fathom’s unlimited free transcriptions are a rarity. It auto-titles meetings, highlights key quotes, and even suggests next steps—perfect for founders tracking investor asks or freelancers sharing summaries as deliverables.
Best For: Budget-conscious teams.
Features:
- Auto-generates next steps.
- Pricing: Free forever.
- Unlimited free summaries.
How it works:
Fathom joins your Zoom or Teams call, transcribes it, and provides a summary with highlighted moments—all accessible instantly.
4. Krisp – Silence the Chaos🔇
Krisp cancels noise before it hits your call. Its AI works locally (your data stays on-device), making it ideal for healthcare or legal teams needing privacy. Bonus: It transcribes calls after removing distractions.
Best For: Noise-free audio.
Features:
- Local audio processing.
- Pricing: $8/user/month.
- AI noise cancellation.
How it works:
Krisp runs in the background during your Zoom or Teams calls, filters out noise, and provides transcripts and notes afterward.
5. Otter.ai – Real-Time Collaboration Pro🤖
Otter.ai transcribes in real time, letting teams edit notes during the call. Its FedRAMP compliance makes it a go-to for government and healthcare teams, while developers use OtterPilot to auto-join and record standups.
Best For: Live transcription.
Features:
- Editable speaker-specific notes.
- Pricing: $16.99/user/month.
- FedRAMP-compliant security.
How it works:
Otter joins your call, transcribes live, and delivers editable notes you can chat with post-meeting.
How to Choose the Right Tool
Picking the right tool depends on your team’s unique challenges. Here’s how to match your needs to the best AI tools for taking meeting notes:
Assessing Your Team’s Meeting Challenges:
- 🔉Need Noise-free audio?→ Krisp
- 📝Want free transcripts? → Fathom
- 🔗Care about CRM integrations? → Fireflie
Budget Considerations:
- 💰 Free tier available: Fathom, tl;dv
- 💳 Paid plans start at $8/month: Krisp, Otter
Comparison Table
Still unsure? Here’s a quick comparison to match your needs:
| Tool | Best For | Standout Feature | Pricing (Starting) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireflies.ai | CRM Integrations | AI action item detection | $10/user/month |
| tl;dv | Video clip highlights | Free plan + timestamped notes | Free |
| Fathom | Free transcription | Auto-generated summaries | Free forever |
| Krisp | Noise cancellation | Echo removal & local processing | $8/user/month |
| Otter.ai | Live collaboration | FedRAMP compliance | $16.99/user/month |
Key Takeaways from the Table
- Budget pick: Fathom (free forever) or tl;dv (free tier).
- Security-focused: Otter.ai (government-grade compliance).
- Sales teams: Fireflies.ai (seamless CRM sync).
- Hybrid offices: Krisp (background noise removal).
Bonus Tips for Maximizing AI Meeting Tools:
- 🔍 Fireflies: Use “Smart Search” to instantly find budget/competitor talks.
- 🎥 tl;dv: Build a “Best Calls” library to onboard new hires faster.
- 📩 Fathom: Skip post-meeting emails with “Summary Share”.
- 🔇 Krisp: Pair with Otter.ai for noise-free + searchable transcripts.
- 🤖 Otter: Let “OtterPilot” auto-join and record recurring meetings.
FAQs
Are there free AI tools for taking meeting notes?
Yes! Fathom offers unlimited free transcriptions and summaries for Zoom/Teams calls, while tl;dv provides free video highlights and timestamps. For noise cancellation, Krisp has a 60-min/day free tier.S
Which AI tool is best for sales teams?
Fireflies.ai is ideal for sales teams. Its CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot) and “Smart Search” let you instantly find client budget discussions or competitor mentions across past meetings.
Can AI tools join meetings automatically?
Absolutely. Otter.ai’s “OtterPilot” auto-joins scheduled Zoom/Teams calls, records them, and shares summaries afterward. Fireflies.ai also offers similar automation.
Do these tools work with Microsoft Teams?
Yes! All five tools—Fireflies.ai, tl;dv, Fathom, Krisp, and Otter.ai—support Microsoft Teams. Some (like Fathom) also work with Google Meet.
How secure are AI meeting note tools?
Top picks prioritize security:
Otter.ai: FedRAMP compliance (used by government teams).
Krisp: Processes audio locally (no cloud storage).
Fireflies.ai: SOC 2 certified with AES-256 encryption.
Can AI tools translate meeting notes?
Yes! tl;dv transcribes calls in 30+ languages, while Fireflies.ai and Otter.ai offer real-time translation for global teams.
Which tool is best for hybrid meetings with noise issues?
Krisp is unmatched for hybrid meetings. Its AI removes background noise (e.g., keyboard clicks, echoes) and even cleans up audio from conference room mics.
Do these tools integrate with project management apps?
Yes. For example:
Fireflies.ai syncs action items with Asana/Trello.
Fathom pushes summaries to Slack or Google Docs.
tl;dv connects with Notion for clip libraries.
Can AI tools track action items automatically?
Fireflies.ai and Otter.ai excel here. They detect tasks, deadlines, and decisions during calls and add them to summaries.
What if my meetings have technical jargon?
Train AI tools to recognize niche terms:
Otter.ai: Add custom vocabulary (e.g., medical/legal terms).
Fireflies.ai: Use “Topic Trackers” to flag keywords like “Q2 budget.”
Final Thoughts
The best AI tools for taking meeting notes turn chaotic calls into actionable workflows. Whether you’re a startup needing free transcripts (Fathom) or an enterprise prioritizing security (Otter.ai), there’s a perfect fit for your team.
Ready to ditch manual notes? Explore our guide to remote collaboration tools for more time-saving hacks.
Drop your favorite tool in the comments below! 🚀
