Fathom excels as an AI meeting notetaker with strong transcription accuracy and quick AI-generated summaries across multiple formats. Its generous free plan and intuitive interface make it accessible for individuals and small teams who want to focus on conversations rather than note-taking. The tool works well for sales teams and professionals who need instant call recaps, though advanced features like meeting templates require paid plans and it lacks mobile app support.

Granola takes a different approach as an AI notepad that captures system audio locally without requiring meeting bots. Its strength lies in allowing users to jot down brief notes during meetings, which are then enhanced with AI-generated structured summaries afterward. This makes it ideal for users who prefer some manual input while still wanting automated note enhancement, though it's currently limited to Mac users only.

Both tools serve distinct audiences based on their meeting styles and technical preferences. Fathom suits users who want completely hands-off automated transcription and summaries, particularly those using Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams regularly. Granola appeals to users who prefer a more collaborative approach with their note-taking and need cross-platform meeting support, especially those already in the Apple ecosystem.

However, both tools have limitations in their integration ecosystems and workflow automation capabilities. While they excel at capturing and summarizing meeting content, neither provides robust pathways for turning meeting insights into actionable workflows or deep connections with productivity tools. Users may find themselves still needing to manually transfer information and action items to their preferred task management or CRM systems.

Comparison table

What users say about Fathom and Granola

Users consistently praise Fathom for its accuracy and ease of use, with reviewers noting that Fathom is quick and accurate and adds tons of value and integrates seamlessly with popular applications. The platform's transcription capabilities receive particular acclaim, with users reporting that Fathom's transcriptions are pretty accurate (between 85% and 90%) and appreciating the ability to manually edit transcriptions when needed. Many reviewers highlight innovative features like hyper-text links to videos as game-changing additions to their workflow.

Granola receives mixed but generally positive feedback from users who have extensively tested the platform in real-world scenarios. After thorough evaluation, reviewers provide detailed insights into both the strengths and limitations of the platform, as documented in this comprehensive Granola review that covers experiences across more than 20 meetings. Users appreciate the platform's practical applications but also note specific areas where improvements could enhance the overall experience.

Users switch away from Fathom primarily due to its limited platform support and integration capabilities. The tool only works with scheduled online meetings on supported platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, and cannot import external audio files for transcription. This means users conducting in-person meetings or using other meeting platforms cannot utilize Fathom's features. Additionally, the lack of a mobile app forces users to rely solely on desktop access, which can be inconvenient for users who need flexibility in accessing their meeting notes and summaries on the go.

Feature limitations in the free plan drive some users to seek alternatives to Fathom that offer more comprehensive capabilities without additional costs. While Fathom offers a generous free tier, advanced features like meeting templates with structured note sections are gated behind paid plans, specifically the Team edition. Users who need these organizational features but don't want to upgrade to premium plans may find other solutions that include such capabilities in their free offerings.

Technical and user experience issues also contribute to user churn from Fathom. Some users find the on-screen widgets, including live transcripts and pop-ups, distracting during calls, even though these elements can typically be hidden. The tool's dependency on being present as a bot in meetings, rather than working discretely in the background, can be intrusive for users who prefer more seamless integration. These interface and workflow disruptions can push users toward alternatives that offer cleaner, less obtrusive meeting note-taking experiences.

One major reason users switch away from Granola is the limited platform availability. Currently, Granola only works on Mac computers, which excludes all Windows and mobile users from accessing the service. This Mac-only restriction significantly limits the user base and forces Windows users to either find alternatives to Granola or wait for platform expansion that may never come.

Another significant drawback is the lack of a free tier after the initial trial period. Unlike competitors that offer ongoing free plans, Granola only provides 25 free meetings as a trial, after which users must pay $18/month for individual use. This pricing model can be prohibitive for casual users or those who only need occasional meeting notes, pushing them toward alternatives with more generous free offerings.

The third reason users abandon Granola is its limited integration capabilities and lack of automation features. While some competing tools offer robust CRM integrations, advanced workflow automation, and extensive third-party connections, Granola provides only basic calendar sync and limited Notion export functionality. Users who need their meeting notes to automatically sync with their existing business tools or require sophisticated automation workflows find Granola insufficient for their needs, leading them to switch to more comprehensive solutions.

Using Fathom

Does Fathom work for in-person meetings?

No, Fathom does not work for in-person meetings. It only works for scheduled online meetings on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, and cannot import external audio files.

What do users say about the quality of Fathom transcriptions?

Users praise Fathom's transcriptions as quick and accurate. The AI-generated summaries appear just seconds after meetings, and users appreciate the quality and speed of the transcription service.

How does Fathom help users follow up on action items?

Fathom automatically generates action items as part of its AI summaries after meetings. It also provides draft follow-up emails and has an automation engine that can push action items to CRM deals. Users can get different summary formats including action items, and the system helps ensure important tasks are captured and tracked.

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

Yes, Fathom integrates with CRM systems like HubSpot and Salesforce to sync call notes. It also integrates with Slack and Notion via Zapier. These CRM integrations are available in the higher-tier plans, with advanced integrations included in the Team Pro plan.

Using Granola

Does Granola work for in-person meetings?

Partially. The Mac app can capture in-room audio locally, but there's no mobile app yet (Android/iOS versions are "coming soon").

Does Granola require a meeting bot to join the meeting?

No. Granola runs on your computer and listens to meetings without needing a bot in the call. It works discreetly with no meeting intrusion by capturing system audio.

What do users say about the quality of Granola transcriptions?

Users report that Granola produces quality notes and well-organized summaries. They appreciate the "set and forget" note-taking approach, knowing Granola will deliver quality notes afterward that can be tailored via templates.

How does Granola help users follow up on action items?

Granola enhances your brief notes with structured sections including "next steps" and offers an AI assistant that can generate follow-up content, such as drafting email summaries of meetings.

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

Limited integrations are available. Calendar sync is included and Notion export is available. HubSpot integration is currently in beta. There's no mention of Salesforce or Linear integrations.

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