Bluedot vs Granola for meeting automation

Here's what you should look for in an AI meeting automation tool:

• Transcripts that create a word-for-word record of the meeting. For example, a one-hour product development meeting generates a searchable document containing every feature discussion, technical requirement, and team decision.

• Action items are pulled directly from the conversation. When someone says "John will update the wireframes by Friday," the AI automatically creates a tracked task with the assignee and deadline.

• Meeting summaries distill hour-long conversations into 2-3 paragraphs. A 45-minute sprint planning meeting becomes a concise overview of sprint goals, resource allocation, and key decisions.

• Topic segmentation breaks discussions into labeled sections. A client call covering multiple projects is automatically divided into sections like "Website Redesign," "Q1 Marketing Campaign," and "Budget Review."

Other key features

In addition to the quality of these deliverables, we'll want to look at a number of other key factors:

• Ease-of-use: does it have a simple, intuitive setup that works for non-technical users?

• In-person meeting support: can it transcribe audio from live recordings or uploaded files, not just virtual calls?

• Security and privacy: how is customer data handled on the platform?

• Integrations: can it connect with your existing stack, like HubSpot, Notion, or Slack?

• Functionality: does it go beyond transcriptions and actually help you take action?

• Languages: can it transcribe and summarize meetings in different languages?

• Desktop and mobile apps: can you access it on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android for on-the-go meetings?

Understanding Bluedot and Granola

Bluedot is an AI meeting tool that works as a Chrome extension to record and transcribe meetings across Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams without requiring a bot. It transcribes in real-time across 100+ languages, generates meeting notes, and allows one-click syncing to external systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, Notion, and Google Docs. The tool records locally via browser extension, making it usable even when you're not the meeting host.

Pricing starts with a limited free tier (5 meetings lifetime), then ranges from $18/month for Basic (unlimited audio-only recordings up to 1 hour) to $40/month for Business (unlimited video recordings, CRM integrations, topic tracking). Bluedot works primarily through Chrome on desktop with limited mobile support. While it offers broad platform compatibility and integration options, the restrictive free tier and higher pricing at advanced tiers are its main limitations.

Granola is an AI notepad for Mac that captures meeting audio without requiring a bot in the call. It works by listening to system audio from any meeting platform while users jot down brief notes, then automatically produces structured summaries with sections like key takeaways and next steps when the meeting ends. The app offers customizable note templates and an AI assistant to answer questions or generate follow-up content from meeting recordings.

The tool currently works only on Mac with Windows support forthcoming, and offers 25 free meetings before requiring a paid subscription ($18/month for individuals, $14/user/month for business teams). Granola works offline with local recording and transcription, supports about 16 languages, and has limited integrations including calendar sync and Notion export. There's no mobile app yet, and the system requires audio to be played through the user's device to function properly.

Comparing Bluedot and Granola

Bluedot

• Bluedot operates as a Chrome extension for meeting recording and transcription, functioning across major platforms like Zoom and Teams without requiring a meeting bot. It offers transcription in over 100 languages and connects to CRMs and project tools, but its integration depth falls short of truly automating post-meeting workflows.

• The free version allows only 5 lifetime meetings, with paid plans ranging from $18-40 per user monthly. While users praise transcription accuracy and the discreet recording capability, Bluedot lacks mobile support and requires Chrome for optimal experience, limiting its usefulness for teams seeking comprehensive meeting management.

Granola

• Granola is a Mac-only AI notepad that captures meeting audio without bots, allowing users to take minimal notes which it enhances into structured summaries after meetings. It works across all meeting platforms through system audio capture, but offers limited integrations that don't meaningfully connect to users' broader workflows.

• After a 25-meeting free trial, plans start at $18 monthly for individuals. Users appreciate its simple interface and customizable note templates, but Granola's platform limitations (Mac-only with no mobile support) and reliance on device audio capture restrict its utility for diverse team environments.

Bluedot suits cross-platform teams needing accurate transcription and basic integration with other tools. The Chrome extension approach makes it accessible to most organizations using standard meeting platforms, though the limited free tier means most users will need to commit to a paid plan quickly.

Granola works best for Mac users who value simplicity and clean note organization. Its strength lies in distilling meetings into structured notes with minimal user input, but the Mac-only limitation and fewer integrations make it less suitable for Windows-based teams or those requiring deep workflow automation.

Another alternative: Circleback

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