Granola offers a distinctive approach to meeting notes through its local Mac app that captures audio without requiring a bot to join calls. The tool combines user-written notes with AI-generated summaries, producing structured outputs through customizable templates. Its main strengths include clean interface design, discreet operation, and the ability to work offline while maintaining privacy through local processing.

However, Granola faces significant platform limitations being Mac-only with no mobile app availability yet. The tool also lacks robust integrations beyond basic calendar sync and a beta HubSpot connection, limiting its ability to streamline post-meeting workflows. At $18/month for individual users after a 25-meeting trial, it represents a focused but somewhat isolated solution for meeting documentation.

Otter.ai provides comprehensive transcription services with real-time functionality across multiple platforms and devices. The service offers generous free tier options, mobile apps, and broader language support beyond English. Its OtterPilot feature attempts to automate follow-up tasks like CRM updates and email generation, positioning itself as a more integrated solution.

Despite these features, Otter.ai struggles with transcription accuracy in complex audio environments and produces verbose, poorly structured output that can be difficult to navigate. While it offers more integrations than Granola, the depth of these connections remains limited for users seeking sophisticated workflow automation. The tool works best for organizations prioritizing accessibility and basic transcription needs over nuanced meeting intelligence and actionable insights.

Comparison table

What users say about Granola and Otter.ai

Users on G2 praise Granola for delivering clean, reliable meeting transcripts and smart follow-up summaries without unnecessary features, with many using it for nearly every call to stay organized. A detailed review from tldv.io explores both the strengths and weaknesses of the platform after testing it across 20+ meetings. Overall, Granola appears to focus on simplicity and effectiveness in meeting documentation.

Otter.ai receives mixed reviews from users, with some Reddit users reporting it's "absolutely horrible at capturing multi-speaker transcripts" and recommending to stay away from the service. However, Trustpilot reviewers appreciate the summarized transcription feature and find it "amazingly accurate," though they wish for additional functionality like Teams call transcription on iPhone. CNET's professional review describes it as "an easy-to-use recording and transcription service" while noting there are hard limits on its capabilities and usage.

Platform availability limitations represent a significant barrier that drives users away from Granola. The application is currently only available for Mac users, leaving Windows users unable to access the service entirely. This Mac-only restriction has been a common request among users who need cross-platform compatibility for their teams or personal workflows. Additionally, the lack of mobile applications means users cannot access their notes on iOS or Android devices, limiting their ability to review meeting notes on the go or participate in meetings from mobile devices.

The restrictive pricing model after the initial trial period creates another friction point for users considering long-term adoption. While Granola offers 25 free meetings as a trial, there is no ongoing free tier available after exhausting these credits. Users must commit to paying $18 per month for the individual plan to continue using the service, which can be prohibitive compared to competitors that offer more generous free tiers. This lack of a permanent free option forces users to either pay the subscription fee or abandon the service entirely once their trial meetings are consumed.

Technical limitations around audio capture and integration capabilities also contribute to user churn. Since Granola relies on system audio capture from the user's device, it may not function properly with certain meeting room hardware or audio setups where sound doesn't play through the system. The tool also has limited integration options, with only basic calendar sync and Notion export available, while HubSpot integration remains in beta. For users who need robust workflow automation or extensive third-party integrations, these limitations can make Granola insufficient for their broader productivity needs.

Users frequently switch away from Otter.ai due to issues with the quality and organization of the transcripts it produces. One of the most common complaints is that transcripts can be overly verbose and lack structure, making it difficult to quickly find key takeaways or important information. This forces users to spend additional time sifting through lengthy, unorganized text to extract what's actually relevant from their meetings, which defeats the purpose of using an AI note-taking tool to save time.

Another significant reason users abandon Otter.ai is the accuracy problems that occur with complex audio situations. The transcription service struggles with speaker identification and can make mistakes in transcribing speech, particularly when audio quality is poor or when multiple speakers are involved. These accuracy issues can be particularly problematic in professional settings where precise documentation is crucial, leading users to lose confidence in the tool's reliability.

The third major driver of user switching is frustration with meeting management and operational issues. Users report that the Otter assistant can spam calendar invites or join unwanted meetings if not properly configured, creating awkward situations in professional environments. Additionally, the limitations of the free version, such as the 40-minute cap on free Zoom meetings, create friction for users who need consistent access to the service but find the restrictions too limiting for their regular use.

Using Granola

Does Granola work for in-person meetings?

Granola has partial support for in-person meetings. The Mac app can capture in-room audio locally, but there's no mobile app yet (Android/iOS are "coming soon").

Does Granola require a meeting bot to join the meeting?

No, Granola does not require a meeting bot to join the meeting. It runs on your computer and listens to meetings without needing a bot in the call 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 that Granola will deliver quality notes afterward that can be tailored via templates.

How does Granola help users follow up on action items?

Granola helps with follow-ups by structuring meeting notes with sections like "next steps" and providing 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?

Granola has limited integrations. It includes calendar sync and Notion export capabilities, with HubSpot integration currently in beta. There's no mention of Salesforce or Linear integrations.

Using Otter.ai

Does Otter.ai work for in-person meetings?

Yes, Otter.ai can transcribe live in-person conversations via its app.

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

Otter.ai can work in multiple ways - it can join meetings via an assistant that joins meetings in real-time when integrated with platforms like Zoom and Teams, but it can also record audio via web or mobile app without requiring a meeting bot.

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

Users report mixed experiences with transcription quality. While many find it extremely easy to use for transcribing and note-taking, accuracy can suffer with complex audio, and some reviews note 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's "OtterPilot" feature auto-generates summaries, follow-up emails, and CRM updates to help with follow-up tasks.

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

Yes, Otter.ai integrates with various platforms including HubSpot and can push notes to systems like HubSpot and Notion via OtterPilot. It also integrates with Zoom, Teams, and Slack.

For users seeking alternatives to Granola, there are various solutions that address its platform limitations and integration constraints. Similarly, those looking for alternatives to Otter.ai can explore options that provide better transcription quality and more structured outputs. The best meeting automation tool will depend on your specific needs, workflow requirements, and platform preferences. For those just starting out, getting started with meeting automation can provide valuable guidance on selecting the right solution for your team's 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