Bluedot vs Read.ai for meeting automation

Bluedot is an AI meeting recorder and transcriber that operates as a Chrome extension, working on Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms without requiring a meeting bot. It records meetings in real-time, generates AI-powered notes, and can sync these to various systems including CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot), project tools (Notion, Slack), and Google Docs. The tool supports over 100 languages for transcription and functions whether you're hosting the meeting or not.

The service operates on a tiered pricing model: a free version limited to 5 lifetime meetings, Basic at $18/month for unlimited audio recordings (1-hour max), Pro at $25/month adding unlimited video recording and custom templates, and Business at $40/month with CRM integrations and unlimited guest members. Bluedot works on desktop Chrome browsers with limited mobile support, and records locally via its application, making it suitable for both virtual and in-person meetings.

Read.ai is an AI meeting copilot that provides real-time transcription, summaries, and analytics for virtual meetings across Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet. It generates reports with key points, action items, and metrics like speaker time distribution, sentiment analysis, and attention scores. The platform includes an AI search function across all meeting transcripts and can handle asynchronous communication by summarizing Slack threads or emails. It supports over 20 languages with real-time translation capabilities and offers integrations with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Confluence, Jira, Notion, and Slack.

The service is tiered with a free plan allowing 5 meeting transcripts monthly, a Pro plan at $19.75/user/month (annual) for unlimited meetings and integrations, and Enterprise plans starting at $29.75/user/month with video playback features. Read.ai works via web app and browser extensions rather than a desktop client, offers an iOS app for recording in-person meetings, and doesn't require meeting bots to join calls. Some users find the interface complex, and privacy concerns exist around joining others' meetings with the tool without consent.

Comparing Bluedot and Read.ai

Bluedot

• Bluedot offers Chrome-based meeting recording without requiring a bot, working across major platforms like Zoom and Teams. It provides accurate transcription in over 100 languages and syncs to CRMs and project tools, though its limited free version and lack of mobile support restrict accessibility.

• While praised for transcription accuracy and discreet background recording, Bluedot has notable limitations in its integration depth and post-meeting productivity features. The tiered pricing structure with the most useful features locked behind higher-cost plans makes it less accessible for small teams that need comprehensive meeting assistance.

Read.ai

• Read.ai functions as a meeting copilot that transcribes meetings and analyzes engagement and sentiment, supporting 20+ languages and offering real-time transcription with on-the-fly summaries. Despite its comprehensive feature set, it falls short on workflow automation and has limited third-party integrations for post-meeting productivity.

• The tool creates reports with key points and metrics like speaking time and sentiment, but its complex UI and restrictive free tier (5 meetings monthly) create barriers to adoption. While it has valuable meeting analytics capabilities, it lacks the depth of integration needed to seamlessly incorporate meeting outcomes into actionable workflows.

Bluedot is better suited for individual users and small teams who prioritize transcription accuracy and need a discreet recording solution that works across platforms without requiring host permissions. Its simple interface and focus on core functionality make it appealing for those who want meeting notes without the complexity of additional analytics.

Read.ai works best for management teams and organizations interested in measuring meeting effectiveness through engagement metrics and sentiment analysis. Its additional analytical features provide insights into communication patterns and team dynamics, making it valuable for companies focused on improving meeting culture and measuring participation across distributed teams.

Bluedot vs Read.ai: What do users say?

Bluedot is an AI meeting recorder and note-taker known for its exceptional transcription accuracy across major platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Users consistently praise its discreet recording capability via Chrome extension, eliminating the need to invite a meeting bot. Its extensive integration capabilities with CRM systems, project tools, and document platforms are highlighted as major advantages. Bluedot supports over 100 languages and offers local recording functionality through its desktop app. The main criticisms center on its limited free tier (only 5 lifetime meetings) and relatively steep pricing at higher tiers, with the Basic plan starting at $18/month (or $14/month annually). Some users note limited mobile support as a drawback.

Read.ai functions as an AI meeting "copilot" that goes beyond basic transcription to analyze engagement and sentiment during meetings. It provides real-time transcription, on-the-fly summaries, and post-meeting reports with metrics on speaking time and tone. Users appreciate its insights into meeting quality, support for 16+ languages, and seamless integration with platforms like Zoom (where it's recognized as an Essential App). Read.ai can also summarize Slack threads and emails, and offers an iOS app for in-person meeting capture. Criticisms include a restrictive free tier (5 meetings/month), a potentially complex UI, and privacy concerns from some users about recording meetings without explicit consent from all participants.

To learn more about these tools:

• Trustpilot reviews of Read.ai

• Microsoft AppSource ratings for Read.ai

• G2 reviews of Bluedot

• Reddit discussion about Bluedot

FAQs

• Would Bluedot work for in-person meetings? What about Read.ai? Yes, both Bluedot and Read.ai work for in-person meetings. Bluedot can capture any meeting on your device without requiring a bot to join. Read.ai offers an iOS app that captures in-person/offline meetings with one tap.

• What about meeting bots? Does either of these tools require a meeting bot? Neither tool requires a meeting bot. Bluedot is specifically noted as being "bot-free" and works as a Chrome extension that quietly records in the background. Read.ai also operates without meeting bots, recording virtual meetings via cloud or extension, and offline audio via its mobile app.

• What do users say about the quality of transcriptions? Bluedot is widely praised for its transcription accuracy, with marketing and early users often describing it as "the most accurate" AI notetaker they've tried.

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