Fathom is an AI meeting assistant that works with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. It automatically records meetings and creates transcripts in real-time in over 25 languages. The software can tell different speakers apart and lets users tag important moments or highlight key points during calls.

After meetings end, the tool creates different types of summaries - bullet point lists, action items, and detailed overviews of what happened. It can write draft follow-up emails based on what was discussed. Users can ask Fathom questions about their meetings through an "Ask Fathom" feature that gives AI-powered answers.

Sales reps often use Fathom for call summaries and updating their CRM systems. The software helps anyone who wants to focus on conversations without manually taking notes during meetings.

Users look for alternatives to Fathom because...

• Works with limited platforms - Fathom only works with major platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams. It doesn't support other video tools or in-person meetings, which limits how useful it is for companies that use different meeting platforms. Users who need WebEx, GoToMeeting, or hybrid meetings can't use Fathom's AI features for all their important conversations.

• Privacy and security worries - Many users feel uncomfortable having an AI bot automatically record and process sensitive business conversations, especially when dealing with confidential client information or internal strategy discussions. Legal firms or healthcare organizations often find Fathom's automatic recording problematic because of strict confidentiality rules and compliance requirements that make third-party AI processing risky.

• Makes people tune out - Users report that relying too heavily on Fathom's automatic notes can make them less engaged during meetings. People become passive listeners because they know the AI will capture everything. Team members might zone out during important brainstorming sessions or client calls, thinking they can just review Fathom's summary later. This hurts real-time collaboration and relationship building.

How Circleback can help

People choose Circleback because it takes a more thoughtful approach to AI meeting assistance that fixes many problems users have with other platforms like Fathom.

Works with more platforms Unlike Fathom's limited platform support, Circleback works with a much wider range of video conferencing tools. While Fathom leaves users stuck when they need WebEx, GoToMeeting, or other platforms, Circleback provides broader support that fits different company needs. Circleback also offers smart solutions for hybrid and in-person meetings through phone dial-in options and mobile recording, so no important discussion gets missed regardless of format.

Better privacy and security controls Circleback handles privacy concerns that bother Fathom users in a smarter way. Instead of forcing an all-or-nothing automatic recording approach, Circleback gives users detailed privacy controls. You can customize recording permissions, set up approval workflows, and keep better oversight of sensitive conversations. For companies in regulated industries like legal or healthcare, Circleback offers enterprise-level security features and compliance options that provide peace of mind when handling confidential information - addressing the major concerns users have with Fathom's blanket recording approach.

Keeps people engaged Most importantly, Circleback is built to improve rather than replace human engagement. While Fathom users report becoming passive listeners who rely entirely on AI summaries, Circleback includes features that encourage active participation. Its smart highlighting system asks users to mark key moments in real-time, and its note-taking features are designed to work with rather than replace human attention. The platform's AI summaries are structured to improve follow-up discussions rather than eliminate the need for attentive listening, helping users stay engaged while still capturing comprehensive meeting information.

This combination of broader compatibility, stronger privacy controls, and engagement-focused design makes Circleback especially appealing to users who've experienced these common frustrations with other AI meeting tools.

Circleback provides best-in-class AI meeting notes and automations

Circleback provides best-in-class AI-powered meeting notes and automations. We support over 100 languages and automatic participant identification in both in-person and online meetings.

• Automatically-identified and assigned action items

• AI-enabled search across all meetings

• Automations with 100+ app integrations

• Industry-leading security with SOC 2 Type II, EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, and HIPAA compliance

• Ability to capture both online and in-person meetings with desktop and mobile apps