Granola offers a straightforward AI notepad approach that captures meeting audio locally on Mac without requiring bots in calls. It allows users to jot down brief notes during meetings, then enhances them with structured summaries afterward using customizable templates. The tool works across all meeting platforms by capturing system audio and provides an AI assistant for follow-up tasks, though it currently lacks Windows support and mobile apps.

Granola excels at "set and forget" note-taking with a clean, Apple Notes-like interface that doesn't intrude on meetings. Users appreciate the well-organized summaries and responsive development team, though the Mac-only limitation and lack of mobile access are significant drawbacks. The tool is best suited for Mac users who attend meetings on various platforms and prefer minimal manual note-taking with personalized results.

Zoom AI integrates directly into Zoom's platform, automatically generating meeting summaries and action items without requiring separate software. It allows participants to ask questions during meetings and assists with composing related emails and documents. The tool works seamlessly within Zoom's ecosystem at no additional cost for paid subscribers, but is limited exclusively to Zoom meetings.

Zoom AI's main advantage is its effortless integration for existing Zoom users, providing instant summaries and highlights without setup complexity. However, it only works within Zoom's platform and offers limited functionality compared to dedicated meeting tools, with basic chat integration and occasional issues sharing notes outside the Zoom environment. This tool is ideal for teams already committed to Zoom who want simple, integrated meeting assistance without exploring external solutions.

Comparison table

What users say about Granola and Zoom AI

Users consistently praise Granola for its clean and reliable meeting transcription capabilities, with verified users reporting that it makes transcriptions and follow-ups "a breeze" and produces "clean, reliable meeting transcripts." The tool is particularly valued for its bot-free approach to meeting documentation, allowing users to maintain natural conversation flow while still capturing essential information. G2 reviews highlight that users rely on Granola for "nearly every call" due to its ability to deliver "smart follow-up summaries without any fluff."

Zoom AI Companion receives mixed feedback from users, with some finding practical ways to leverage its capabilities while others question its overall utility. Users report adapting their meeting behavior when AI Companion is active, starting calls with structured introductions and asking participants to state their names and roles to improve summary quality. However, comprehensive reviews suggest that while the tool offers various features, users often seek more powerful alternatives for their AI meeting assistance needs. The platform's integration within Zoom provides convenience, but the effectiveness appears to depend heavily on how users structure their meetings around the AI's capabilities.

Users switch away from Granola primarily due to its limited platform availability, which restricts access for a significant portion of potential users. The tool is currently Mac-only, with Windows support being a frequently requested feature that remains unavailable. Additionally, there is no mobile app yet, meaning users can only access their notes through the desktop application or web interface. This limitation becomes particularly problematic for users who need to review or share meeting notes while on the go, as one user specifically mentioned wishing for an iOS app to complement the desktop experience.

The lack of comprehensive integration capabilities presents another significant barrier for users who rely on connected workflows. While Granola offers basic calendar sync and Notion export functionality, it has limited integrations with popular business tools. The HubSpot integration remains in beta, and there is no robust automation engine for creating advanced workflows. This forces users to manually transfer information between systems, which can be time-consuming and inefficient for teams that depend on seamless data flow between their meeting notes and other business applications.

Cost considerations also drive users away from Granola, particularly after the initial trial period ends. The service offers 25 free meetings as a trial, but there is no ongoing free tier available afterward. Users must commit to paid plans starting at $18 per month for individual use, which may not be justified for occasional users or those who only need basic note-taking functionality. For users who primarily use Zoom for meetings, switching to Zoom AI becomes attractive since it's included at no additional cost for paid Zoom subscribers, making it a more economical choice for teams already invested in the Zoom ecosystem.

One major reason users switch away from Zoom AI is its platform limitations. Zoom AI only works within Zoom meetings, which severely restricts its utility for users who participate in meetings across multiple platforms like Microsoft Teams, Webex, or Slack Huddles. This platform lock-in becomes particularly problematic for professionals who need consistent meeting notes and summaries regardless of which video conferencing tool is being used for different meetings.

Another significant limitation is Zoom AI's poor performance for in-person meetings. The tool is designed exclusively for virtual Zoom calls and cannot independently capture audio from in-person meetings or hybrid scenarios where participants might be physically present in a conference room. This makes it inadequate for users who frequently attend face-to-face meetings or work in environments that blend virtual and physical meeting formats.

Users also find Zoom AI's integration capabilities severely limiting compared to other solutions. The tool stays primarily within Zoom's ecosystem with few native integrations, lacking direct synchronization with popular productivity tools like HubSpot or Notion. Additionally, some users report that the AI's meeting management features are immature, with limited control over which meetings to record or summarize, and basic integration with Zoom Chat. These restrictions make it difficult for users to incorporate meeting insights into their broader workflow and productivity systems.

Using Granola

Does Granola work for in-person meetings?

Partially. Granola's Mac app can capture in-room audio locally, but there's no mobile app available yet (though 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 fully offline on Mac and captures system audio directly.

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 enhances your brief notes with structured sections including next steps. It also offers an AI assistant that can answer questions or 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 functionality. HubSpot integration is currently in beta, but there's no mention of Salesforce or Linear integrations.

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 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 other CRM sync available. For users seeking more robust integration options, exploring alternatives to Zoom AI might be beneficial.

For those considering switching from Granola due to its limitations, looking at alternatives to Granola could provide more suitable solutions. Additionally, for users who need more comprehensive meeting automation capabilities, learning about getting started with meeting automation and exploring meeting automation solutions may be helpful.

When evaluating which tool for AI meeting notes is best for your needs, consider factors such as platform compatibility, integration capabilities, and the specific features that matter most to your workflow.

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