Bluedot excels in transcription accuracy and operates discretely through a Chrome extension without requiring a meeting bot to join calls. Its ability to record across all major platforms and automatically sync notes to CRM systems and project tools makes it particularly valuable for workflow integration. However, the free version is severely limited at only 5 meetings lifetime, and the pricing becomes quite steep for higher-tier plans, which may deter smaller teams.

Otter.ai offers an intuitive experience with live transcription and a generous free tier that provides 600 minutes monthly. The platform captures extensive meeting information and provides AI-generated summaries, making it accessible for teams just starting with AI note-taking. Its main weaknesses include overly verbose transcripts that lack structure, accuracy issues with complex audio, and limited language support beyond English.

Bluedot is best suited for sales teams, user researchers, and professionals who prioritize transcription accuracy and need seamless CRM integration. Otter.ai appeals more to general business users, educators, and teams seeking an affordable entry point into AI meeting assistance with broad platform compatibility through mobile and web access.

Both tools provide basic integrations and automation features, but neither offers the depth of workflow integration or actionable insights that would truly transform how users handle post-meeting tasks. Users may find themselves still manually processing meeting outcomes despite the automated note-taking capabilities. The tools serve more as transcription services than comprehensive meeting productivity solutions.

Comparison table

What users say about Bluedot and Otter.ai

User reviews of Bluedot are overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its ability to transcribe meetings discreetly and its simple interface that delivers transcriptions immediately after meetings. The platform receives high marks for making it incredibly easy to keep track of meetings, notes, and action items with AI-generated summaries that are described as accurate and well-structured. Users also appreciate that Bluedot offers better native integration options compared to some competitors, making it valuable for workflow integration.

In contrast, user reviews of Otter.ai are more mixed, with significant concerns about its core functionality. Users report that Otter is absolutely horrible at capturing multi-speaker transcripts, with some advising others to stay away from the platform entirely due to transcription quality issues. The criticism extends to its overall performance in meeting scenarios, where accurate speaker identification and transcription are crucial for effective meeting minutes.

Users may switch away from Bluedot due to its extremely restrictive free tier, which offers only 5 meetings total for the lifetime of the account. This essentially forces users into a paid subscription after a very brief trial period, unlike competitors such as Otter.ai which provides 600 minutes of transcription monthly on their free plan. The aggressive paywall can be particularly frustrating for users who want to thoroughly evaluate the service before committing to a paid subscription.

The platform's limited compatibility and device support presents another significant barrier for users. Bluedot works best with Chrome on desktop, which can be problematic for organizations that use different browsers or for users who need mobile functionality. Since the mobile and desktop app support are not fully mature yet, users who require flexible access across different devices and platforms may find themselves constrained by these technical limitations.

Cost considerations also drive users away from Bluedot, particularly for smaller teams and organizations. The higher-tier Pro and Business plans are relatively expensive, with pricing ranging from around $18-40 per user per month depending on the plan and billing cycle. Additionally, many advanced features like custom templates, longer video recordings, and unlimited meeting length are locked behind these higher-tier plans, making the service cost-prohibitive for teams that need comprehensive functionality but have limited budgets.

Based on user reviews and feedback, there are several key reasons why users switch away from Otter.ai to alternatives to Otter.ai like Bluedot. One major issue is transcript quality and structure. Users frequently complain that Otter.ai's transcripts are overly verbose and lack clear organization, making it difficult to quickly locate key takeaways or action items from meetings. This creates additional work for users who need to sift through lengthy, unstructured text to find the information they actually need.

Another significant pain point is transcription accuracy, particularly in challenging audio environments. Users report that Otter.ai struggles with complex audio situations, leading to mistakes in both transcription content and speaker identification. This can be especially problematic for professional settings where accuracy is crucial. Additionally, the assistant feature can create workflow disruptions by sending spam calendar invites or joining unwanted meetings when not properly configured, leading to frustration with meeting management.

The limitations of Otter.ai's free tier also drive users to seek alternatives. The free version includes restrictions like a 40-minute cap on Zoom meetings, which can be particularly frustrating for users who need longer recording capabilities. Furthermore, Otter.ai's language support is quite limited, primarily supporting English with only basic Spanish and French capabilities, which doesn't meet the needs of users working in multilingual environments or global teams who require broader language support.

Using Bluedot

Does Bluedot work for in-person meetings?

Yes, Bluedot works for in-person meetings. Its bot-free recorder can capture any meeting on your device without requiring a bot to join calls.

Does Bluedot require a meeting bot to join the meeting?

No, Bluedot does not require a meeting bot to join the meeting. It works via a Chrome extension and can quietly record and transcribe meetings without any bot presence, which users find convenient as there's no awkward bot in meetings.

What do users say about the quality of Bluedot transcriptions?

Users widely praise Bluedot for its transcription accuracy. Marketing materials and early users often note it as "the most accurate" AI notetaker they've tried.

How does Bluedot help users follow up on action items?

Bluedot's AI generates follow-up emails from notes and can log action items to participants. It also offers one-click sync to various systems like CRM tools, project management apps, and other workflow tools.

Does Bluedot integrate with software like Hubspot, Salesforce, or Linear?

Yes, Bluedot integrates with HubSpot and Salesforce, along with other popular tools like Slack, Notion, and Google Drive. It offers a wide integration suite that allows automatic syncing of meeting summaries to these systems.

Using Otter.ai

Does Otter.ai work for in-person meetings?

Yes, Otter.ai works for in-person meetings and can transcribe live in-person conversations via its app.

Does Otter.ai require a meeting bot to join the meeting?

Yes, Otter.ai integrates with platforms like Zoom and Teams via an assistant that can join meetings in real time. However, it can also record audio via web or mobile app without requiring a meeting.

What do users say about the quality of Otter.ai transcriptions?

Users have mixed opinions about transcription quality. While many find it extremely easy to use and appreciate the real-time transcript capability, some note that accuracy can suffer with complex audio, with mistakes in transcription or speaker identification. Additionally, transcripts can be overly verbose and lack structure, making it hard to quickly find key takeaways.

How does Otter.ai help users follow up on action items?

Otter.ai uses "OtterPilot" which auto-generates summaries, follow-up emails, and CRM updates to help users follow up on action items from meetings.

Does Otter.ai integrate with software like Hubspot, Salesforce, or Linear?

Yes, Otter.ai integrates with various platforms including Zoom, Slack, HubSpot, and Notion via OtterPilot.

Users looking for alternatives to Bluedot often cite these limitations and may benefit from exploring other AI meeting agents that offer more comprehensive features and better value for their specific needs.

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