The 5 best AI meeting assistants and notetakers in 2026
Otter, Fireflies, Granola, Krisp and Notion AI: get transcripts, summaries and action items from every call.
By 1ai.tools editors · Published 27 October 2026 · Updated 27 October 2026 · 2 min read
Short answer
The top picks for remote teams, managers and sales reps are Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai and Granola. Top pick: Otter.ai (live transcripts and action items). Also strong: Fireflies.ai (a searchable archive of every call).
✓ Updated 27 October 2026✓ 5 tools compared✓ Every tool reviewed by a person
At a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | O | Live transcripts and action items | Freemium |
| 2 | F | A searchable archive of every call | Freemium |
| 3 | G | Notes without a bot joining | Freemium |
| 4 | K | Clear audio plus notes | Freemium |
| 5 | N | Keeping notes with your team's docs | Paid |
An AI meeting assistant lets you listen instead of type. It records or listens to the call, writes a transcript and gives you a summary with action items. The main choice is whether a bot joins the meeting or the tool works quietly on your own device.
All five can save you note-taking time; the real differences are how they join the call, where the notes end up and how your guests feel about being recorded. Use the comparison table to pick one, then test it on your next three meetings.
The 5 best picks
- 1
AI meeting notes and transcription
Best for Live transcripts and action items
Otter records, transcribes and summarises meetings with action items in real time. It is a reliable default for teams with many meetings. Tell participants that the meeting is recorded.
- 2
AI notetaker for meetings
Best for A searchable archive of every call
Fireflies joins calls, transcribes, summarises and makes meetings searchable. It suits sales and customer teams that need a record. A bot joins the call.
- 3
AI notepad for meetings
Best for Notes without a bot joining
Granola enhances your own notes with a transcript, without a bot joining the call. It keeps meetings natural and your notes in your words. You still need consent where the law requires it.
- 4
AI noise cancellation for calls
Best for Clear audio plus notes
Krisp removes background noise and echo and adds meeting transcripts and notes. It improves every call you join. It is lighter on meeting analytics than dedicated notetakers.
- 5
AI built into your Notion workspace
Best for Keeping notes with your team's docs
Notion AI writes, summarises and answers questions across your Notion workspace. It is a good place to store and search meeting outcomes if your team uses Notion. It is not a dedicated recorder.
Pros
- + Works where your knowledge already lives
- + Good at finding answers across pages
- + No new tool to learn
Cons
- − Most useful only if your team uses Notion
- − AI features need a paid plan
How to choose
- Want a full record of calls? Otter or Fireflies.
- Prefer no bot in the meeting? Granola.
- Noisy home office? Krisp.
- Consent first. Tell people when you record or transcribe, and follow local law.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not telling guests that the call is recorded or transcribed.
- Keeping every transcript forever; set a retention rule.
- Trusting AI action items without a quick check by the meeting owner.
How we chose
Every tool on this list is approved on 1ai.tools by a person, not only by an algorithm. We looked at four things:
- Fit: does it do the job this list is about, for the reader it is for?
- A real product: a live website, a clear way to sign up, and a company behind it.
- Value: a free plan or trial where there is one, and what you get when you pay.
- Trade-offs: where each tool is weaker, so you can choose with open eyes.
Tool names, logos, pricing labels and ratings on this page come live from each tool's listing, so they stay current. Pricing changes often: check the tool's own site before you buy.
FAQ
Which AI notetaker does not join the meeting as a bot?
+
Granola works on your device and enhances your own notes, without a bot joining the call.
Is it legal to record meetings with AI?
+
Rules differ by country. In many places you must tell participants or get their consent. Always be open about recording.
Can AI meeting assistants create action items?
+
Yes. Otter, for example, summarises meetings with action items in real time.
About this post
Written by the 1ai.tools editors. Every tool on 1ai.tools is reviewed by a person before it is listed; see our listing guidelines. Tool names, pricing and ratings on this page update from the live listings. Last updated 27 October 2026.
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