Granola vs. Read.ai for meeting automation

What do users say?

Based on user reviews, Read.ai has received significant criticism from users, earning a low rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars across 60 reviews on Trustpilot. Users report frustration with the platform's requirement to create an account and connect calendars just to access meeting notes shared by partner companies. The service faces ongoing security concerns, with multiple users reporting that Read.ai continues to join calls without permission even after account deletion.

Granola brands have been evaluated by various food publications and testing organizations for taste, nutritional content, and overall quality. Bon Appétit editors conducted taste tests of popular granola brands including Purely Elizabeth, Early Bird, and Sakara, covering options like grain-free and nut-free varieties. Consumer Reports found that some granolas successfully balance flavor with relatively low levels of added sugars and saturated fat.

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Why users choose Granola or Read.ai

Users switch away from Granola primarily due to platform limitations. The tool is currently Mac-only, which excludes Windows users who need cross-platform compatibility. Additionally, Granola lacks a mobile app, restricting access to notes only through the desktop application or web interface. This limitation prevents users from capturing in-person meetings or accessing their notes on mobile devices.

The pricing structure creates a barrier for users with moderate meeting frequency. After the initial 25 free meetings, users must pay $18 per month for unlimited meetings on the Individual plan, with no ongoing free tier available. This pricing model can be problematic for users who exceed the free trial limit but don't have consistent high-volume meeting needs that would justify the monthly subscription cost.

Integration capabilities present another switching factor. Granola offers limited integrations, with only calendar sync included and Notion export available, while HubSpot integration remains in beta. Users requiring robust workflow integrations with CRM systems, project management tools, or other business applications may find Granola's current integration ecosystem insufficient for their needs. The tool also lacks an automation engine, focusing solely on note-taking and summaries without advanced workflow capabilities. Users switch away from Read.ai primarily due to its limited free tier, which restricts users to only 5 meetings per month with full notes. This constraint proves too restrictive for many individuals, especially when compared to competitors offering more generous free allowances.

The complex and cluttered user interface creates a significant barrier for users seeking straightforward meeting transcription. With multiple features including notes, analytics, and search functionality, the learning curve becomes steep, with some users finding the platform "confusing" and less time-saving than expected rather than streamlined for basic note-taking needs.

Privacy and consent concerns drive users away when Read.ai joins meetings as a visible participant. Reddit discussions highlight boundary issues when the service joins others' meetings without explicit consent from all attendees, creating uncomfortable situations and potential workplace friction that users prefer to avoid.

Comparing Granola and Read.ai

Granola offers a simple, clean approach to meeting notes with its Mac-based system that captures audio locally without requiring meeting bots. Users appreciate its Apple Notes-like simplicity and customizable templates, though the platform is currently limited to Mac users only. While it provides solid basic functionality for note-taking and summaries, its integration ecosystem remains sparse and offers little in terms of actionable workflow automation.

Read.ai provides a more comprehensive feature set with engagement analytics, sentiment analysis, and real-time transcription across multiple platforms. The tool offers broader integrations and mobile support, making it more versatile for diverse team environments. However, users often find the interface cluttered and complex, and despite its extensive feature list, the automation capabilities remain limited for users seeking to transform meeting insights into concrete actions.

Granola is best suited for individual Mac users or small teams who prioritize simplicity and privacy in their note-taking process. Its offline functionality and clean interface appeal to users who want straightforward meeting documentation without complex analytics or extensive integrations. The tool works particularly well for those who prefer minimal meeting disruption and are comfortable with basic export options.

Read.ai serves larger teams and organizations that need comprehensive meeting analytics and extensive third-party integrations. Its engagement metrics and sentiment analysis provide value for managers seeking to optimize meeting effectiveness, while its robust integration ecosystem supports more complex workflows. However, teams seeking deep automation or those prioritizing interface simplicity may find Read.ai's feature-rich approach overwhelming for their needs.

FAQs

Would Granola work for in-person meetings? What about Read.ai?

Granola has partial support for in-person meetings - the Mac app can capture in-room audio locally, but there's no mobile app yet (though Android/iOS are "coming soon"). Read.ai works well for in-person meetings with its iOS app that can capture in-person/offline meetings with one tap.

Does either of these tools require a meeting bot to join the meeting?

No, neither tool requires a meeting bot. Granola runs on your computer and listens to meetings without needing a bot in the call. Read.ai also works without meeting bots - it records virtual meetings via cloud or extension, and offline audio via mobile app.

What do users say about the quality of transcriptions?

For Granola, users report that it produces quality notes and well-organized summaries. The summaries are considered "smart" and can be tailored via templates, with one review noting it formats notes "exactly how you like it" if you give it guidance.

For Read.ai, users appreciate that the summaries are considered "smart," effectively capturing questions asked and topics discussed during meetings.

Do these tools help a user follow up with action items from the meeting? How so?

Yes, both tools help with follow-ups. Granola produces enhanced meeting notes with structured sections including next steps, and offers an AI assistant that can generate follow-up content like drafting email summaries of meetings.

Read.ai generates reports with key points and action items after meetings, and can auto-sync notes to CRM systems.

Do these tools integrate with software like Hubspot, Salesforce, or Linear?

Granola has limited integrations - it includes calendar sync and Notion export, with HubSpot integration currently in beta.

Read.ai has robust integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce, Confluence, Jira, Notion, and Slack.

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