Fathom offers a generous free plan and delivers accurate transcriptions with multiple summary formats through an intuitive interface. However, advanced features like meeting templates are locked behind paid tiers, and the tool lacks mobile app support and the ability to upload external audio files. Its integrations with CRMs and productivity tools, while present, rely heavily on third-party services like Zapier and don't provide deep workflow automation beyond basic summary generation.

Zoom AI provides seamless integration for existing Zoom users at no additional cost for paid subscribers, generating instant meeting summaries and action items. The tool is limited to Zoom's ecosystem only and offers basic functionality compared to dedicated meeting tools, with poor integration capabilities outside of Zoom itself. Users on free Zoom plans face significant restrictions, and the AI features remain relatively immature for complex meeting management needs.

Fathom is best suited for sales teams and professionals who primarily use Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams and want reliable transcription with flexible summary options. Small businesses and individuals who value a straightforward interface and don't require extensive integrations will find Fathom's approach appealing. However, teams needing robust workflow automation or deep integration with their existing tech stack may find the tool's capabilities insufficient for comprehensive meeting management.

Zoom AI works well for organizations already invested in Zoom's ecosystem who want basic meeting summaries without additional software costs. Teams that conduct most meetings through Zoom and need simple transcription and recap features will benefit from its seamless integration. Companies requiring cross-platform meeting support or sophisticated automation workflows will find Zoom AI too restrictive and feature-limited for their operational needs.

Comparison table

What users say about Fathom and Zoom AI

User reviews of Fathom are overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its speed, accuracy, and overall value addition to their workflow. Reviews on Capterra highlight that Fathom is quick and accurate while adding significant value, with users finding it easy to integrate with their existing applications. A detailed review after three months of use notes that Fathom's transcriptions are highly accurate, achieving 85-90% accuracy rates with the added benefit of manual editing capabilities.

Zoom AI Companion receives mixed feedback from users, with some appreciating its features while others question its practical utility. One comprehensive review praises its real-time assistance capabilities, innovative features like Zoom Whiteboard, and its ability to monitor participant engagement during meetings. However, discussions on Reddit reveal user skepticism about whether the AI-generated summaries and transcripts are genuinely helpful or simply unused features, suggesting mixed adoption and satisfaction rates among the user base.

Users switch away from Fathom primarily due to feature limitations imposed by its pricing structure. While Fathom offers a generous free plan with unlimited meeting recordings, many advanced capabilities are locked behind paid tiers. For instance, meeting templates that provide structured note sections are only available in the Team edition, forcing users who need these organizational features to upgrade or seek alternatives that offer more comprehensive functionality at lower price points.

The platform's restriction to live meetings only creates significant limitations for users who need more flexible transcription capabilities. Unlike some competitors, Fathom doesn't support uploading external audio files for transcription, which means users cannot process pre-recorded content, phone calls, or other audio sources outside of scheduled online meetings. This live-only approach forces users to look elsewhere when they need a more versatile solution that can handle various types of audio content beyond just Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams sessions.

Technical limitations and missing features also drive users away from Fathom. The absence of a mobile app means users must rely on desktop applications, which can be inconvenient for those who frequently work on mobile devices or need access to their meeting notes while traveling. Additionally, some users find the on-screen widgets like live transcripts and pop-ups distracting during calls, and while these can often be hidden, the overall user experience may not meet everyone's preferences for a clean, unobtrusive interface during important meetings.

Users often switch away from Zoom AI due to its limited platform compatibility. Unlike dedicated AI meeting tools that work across multiple video conferencing platforms, Zoom AI only functions within Zoom meetings. This creates a significant limitation for users who need to attend meetings on Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or other platforms, forcing them to either go without AI assistance or seek alternative solutions that offer broader platform support.

The restricted integration capabilities of Zoom AI also drive users to seek alternatives. While Zoom AI keeps everything within Zoom's ecosystem, it lacks native integrations with popular business tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Notion. This limitation becomes particularly problematic for sales teams and business professionals who need to sync meeting notes directly with their CRM systems or project management tools, forcing them to manually transfer information or look for more integrated solutions.

Users frequently encounter limitations with Zoom AI's automation and workflow capabilities compared to specialized alternatives. The tool provides basic automated summaries and Q&A functionality but lacks the sophisticated automation engines found in dedicated AI meeting tools. Additionally, some users find certain features immature, with limited control over which meetings to record or summarize, and occasional difficulties in retrieving or sharing AI notes outside of Zoom's interface, prompting them to switch to more full-featured 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 consistently highlight the quality of the transcription service.

How does Fathom help users follow up on action items?

Fathom automatically generates action items after meetings and can even draft follow-up emails. It auto-generates summaries and action items, then pushes them to CRM deals for seamless workflow integration.

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

Yes, Fathom integrates with CRM systems including HubSpot and Salesforce to sync call notes. It also connects with Slack and Notion via Zapier integration.

Using Zoom AI

Does Zoom AI work for in-person meetings?

No. Zoom AI only works for virtual Zoom calls and cannot independently capture in-person audio.

How does Zoom AI help users follow up on action items?

Zoom AI automatically generates meeting summaries and next-action items at the end of Zoom calls. The summaries and highlighted action items are generated almost instantly after the meeting, which users find handy for sharing recaps.

Does Zoom AI integrate with software like Hubspot, Salesforce, or Linear?

No. Zoom AI has limited integrations and stays within Zoom's ecosystem with few native integrations. There is no direct HubSpot or Salesforce sync available.

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