Fireflies vs Otter.ai (2026): Which Is Better?
Winner
Otter.ai is the better pick for most people as of September 2026, rated 4.3/5 versus 4.2/5 for Fireflies. Both have free plans. Fireflies is the better choice for sales call logging.
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Compiled from BestAI's full reviews of Fireflies and Otter.ai, using the same ratings, pricing and test notes. See our review methodology.
Fireflies vs Otter.ai: side-by-side
| Criterion | Fireflies | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| BestAI rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting price | $10/mo | $8.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Ease of use | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Features | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Output quality | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for money | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | API, Web, Chrome extension | iOS, Web, Android, Chrome extension |
| API access | Yes | No |
| Best for | Sales call logging | Meeting transcription |
| Company | Fireflies.ai, Inc., 2016 | Otter.ai, Inc., 2016 |
Strengths and weaknesses
Fireflies
- Automatic CRM logging of call notes
- Searchable meeting history across the team
- AI summaries and topic tracking
- Works across major video platforms
- Free tier storage is limited
- Advanced integrations require higher tiers
- Overlaps closely with Otter.ai, so pick based on integration needs
Otter.ai
- Automatic meeting join, transcription, and summary
- Speaker identification
- Searchable transcript history
- Works across Zoom, Meet, and Teams
- Free tier minutes are limited
- Accuracy drops with heavy accents or overlapping speech
- Advanced security/admin features require higher tiers
Key features
Fireflies
- Automatic transcription and summaries
- CRM integrations
- Topic tracking
- Soundbite clipping
- Team meeting search
Otter.ai
- Automatic meeting transcription
- AI-generated summaries and action items
- Speaker identification
- Live captions
- Calendar and video-call integrations
Which should you choose?
Choose Fireflies if you need:
- Sales call logging
- CRM-integrated meeting notes
- Cross-team searchable meeting history
- A free plan (paid plans from $10/mo)
Choose Otter.ai if you need:
- Meeting transcription
- Automated meeting summaries and action items
- Searchable meeting history
- A free plan (paid plans from $8.33/mo)
Frequently asked questions
Is Fireflies better than Otter.ai?+
For most people, Otter.ai comes out ahead: BestAI rates it 4.3/5 against 4.2/5 for Fireflies. Fireflies is still the better fit for sales call logging.
Which is cheaper, Fireflies or Otter.ai?+
Otter.ai is cheaper, starting at $8.33/mo versus $10/mo for Fireflies. Both have free plans.
Do Fireflies and Otter.ai have free plans?+
Fireflies has a free plan (limited storage and transcription credits per month). Otter.ai has a free plan (limited monthly transcription minutes and shorter max meeting length).
What is the main difference between Fireflies and Otter.ai?+
Fireflies is best for sales call logging, and its standout strength is automatic CRM logging of call notes. Otter.ai is best for meeting transcription, with automatic meeting join, transcription, and summary as its biggest advantage.