Spinach | 12 Powerful Otter.ai Alternatives for Your Team

AI meeting transcription tools like Otter.ai have made tedious tasks like note-taking and audio transcription a thing of the past.

With these powerful text transcription tools, converting audio to text happens automatically so that everyone in the room can focus on what’s being said without having to worry about writing it down.

However, if you’re looking for the best AI transcription service, there are several reasons why you may want to consider options other than Otter.ai. The most important reason? It’s really expensive. And there are plenty of tools on the market with the exact same features for a fraction of the cost or completely free.
In this article, we’ll cover other drawbacks of Otter and highlight 12 great alternatives to look into if you’re exploring your options.

Breaking down Otter.ai and its capabilities

Otter.ai is a popular AI transcription tool designed for:

Recording audio
Generating notes and transcripts
Capturing action items
Creating meeting summaries

Along with these features, Otter.ai also offers messaging tools that make it easy for team members to communicate during an in-person or online meeting.

Otter.ai has several paid plans to choose from as well as a free plan, and the exact features you get will depend on which one you choose.

For example, Enterprise offers advanced capabilities like an AI sales assistant and security and compliance controls. Meanwhile, the free plan only has basic transcription and limits the amount of audio you can transcribe each month.

Why consider Otter.ai alternatives?

While Otter.ai has its merits, there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of. Here are a few of the most pertinent reasons why you may want to explore Otter.ai alternatives:

Otter summaries are long and inaccurate

Otter.ai offers decent transcription accuracy, but it isn’t the most accurate tool on the market. You’ll likely need to spend a good deal of time reviewing and correcting the transcripts and summaries you generate.

Another drawback of Otter.ai is that it can only summarize the entire meeting, providing a full play-by-play of everything discussed. If the meeting is long, this often results in information overload and requires you to comb through massive transcripts to find the relevant points you’re looking for.

More advanced tools like Spinach, on the other hand, can identify key points and actions to generate summaries that are more concise and to the point.

Otter integrations are limited

The list of tools Otter.ai can integrate with is a little limited compared to some competitors: Zoom, Slack, and Dropbox. Some Otter.ai alternatives have an abundant list of integrations so you can create a more streamlined and interconnected experience for your team members.

Otter is very expensive

Compared to alternatives with similar capabilities, Otter.ai’s paid plans can be expensive — however, the free plan is ultimately too limited for long-term use.

Along with offering only basic transcription, Otter.ai’s free plan also places a rather strict limit on how much audio you can transcribe each month, capping it at 300 meeting minutes per month. To translate this into real life, that means you can only summarize TEN 30-minute meetings or FIVE 1-hour meetings each MONTH. If you're like me, you'll burn those minutes in a single week. Spinach, meanwhile, offers unlimited users, meetings, and minutes.

Otter.ai’s Pro plan is $20 per month for a single user, while Spinach costs $49 a month for teams of up to 10 users. Unless you’re a one-person operation, Spinach offers a much more affordable way to bring the entire team on board!

Features to look for in Otter.ai alternatives

There are a few key features that every good AI transcription tool should offer. As you go about searching for a high-quality alternative to Otter.ai, here are some things you’ll want to prioritize:

Automated note taking: No more manual note taking means more time to focus on what matters - the meeting itself. With AI tools that offer live transcription, you can take notes automatically in real-time.
Transcription accuracy: A good AI transcription tool should be capable of generating accurate, error-free transcripts so you don’t have to waste time proofreading. It should also be capable of pinpointing key decisions, points, and action items for more targeted and brief summaries.
Accessibility: An AI transcription tool should be user-friendly and accessible across various devices so that every team member can easily access the transcript.
Integrations with other tools: Many tools integrate with popular platforms like Slack, Jira, Salesforce, Zoom, and Google Meet, creating a seamless workflow.
Inclusivity: AI transcription tools should offer features (such as live subtitles) that make meetings accessible for team members who might have hearing difficulties or prefer to read information.
Analysis: Some advanced tools offer insights and analytics to help you evaluate your meetings and understand your team's dynamics better.
Flexibility: From daily stand-ups to major client meetings, a good transcription service should be able to adapt to various business needs.

The 12 best Otter.ai alternatives

Now you have a better understanding of what Otter.ai does, and the helpful advantages that transcription tools can bring to your meetings. If you're looking for something different or specific to your team's unique needs, the market is full of options.

From specialized Agile meeting tools to all-around transcription services, there's likely a perfect fit waiting to be discovered. Let's dive into the 12 best Otter.ai alternatives that might change how you run your daily scrum meetings.

1. Spinach.io

If you’re looking for a tool that will automatically capture all key points and action items covered in your meetings, then you can’t go wrong with Spinach.

Much more than just a basic transcription tool, Spinach offers powerful features designed to automatically extract the most important information from your meetings and present it in a way that is easily digestible and accessible to everyone.

By generating concise meeting summaries and targeted action items, as opposed to full transcripts, Spinach makes it simple for you and your team to access key points without having to comb through a pages-long transcript.

Spinach summaries are specifically tailored to agile meetings like standups, weekly syncs, and retrospectives — and you can customize these agile templates to align with the information you want.

In addition, Spinach offers several helpful tools and features that make it the top alternative to Otter.ai, including incredible integrations, a user-friendly interface, and advanced analytics for gleaning meeting insights.

By adding Spinach to your meetings, you're not just choosing a transcription tool; you're selecting an AI-powered partner that does real work. Here are a few of the reasons why Spinach is the top alternative to Otter.ai:

Concise summaries: Instead of getting the full transcript and chapters of every single item discussed in chronological order, Spinach gives you a concise, targeted summary that is much easier to digest.
Works where you work: With dozens of integrations, you get meeting notes and action items where you work, not buried in another app behind a login screen.
Action-oriented: Instead of just transcribing what’s said in the meeting, Spinach actively summarizes the key decisions and action items that accelerate your team.
Ease of use: Busy wearing multiple hats? Spinach won't add to your load. It's intuitive and simple, making your meetings productive without adding complexity.
Does real work: The "Ask Spinach" feature allows you to clarify details, provide insights, or create additional meeting content documentation.

2. Fireflies.ai

Next up is Fireflies.ai. This AI-driven transcription tool is popular for teams looking to level up their meetings and boost productivity.

Here's what makes Fireflies.ai a viable option:

Automated transcription: Like Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai provides real-time transcriptions of meetings, converting audio files into text on the fly.
Integration powerhouse: Fireflies.ai integrates with many video conferencing tools, CRM systems, and other platforms, providing a smooth experience that works well with your existing tech stack.
Meeting Intelligence: Beyond mere transcription, Fireflies.ai offers actionable meeting insights. It can highlight important points and follow-ups.
Customizable: Tailor it to your specific needs. Whether it's the kind of transcription you want or how you want to organize your meeting notes, Fireflies.ai has that flexibility.
Accessibility and collaboration: Share transcripts, collaborate on notes, and ensure every team member stays in the loop with ease.

3. Trint

Trint is a popular transcription software that is making a name for itself in the realms of journalism and media production, as well as business meetings. Teams like using Trint because it combines powerful transcription capabilities with a user-friendly design.

Here's why Trint stands out as a good alternative to Otter.ai:

Speedy transcription: Trint offers both real-time and post-meeting transcription options, with a focus on speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Multilingual support: Working with an international team? Trint supports multiple languages, making it a diverse tool for global businesses.
Interactive editor: Want to make tweaks or add notes to the transcription? Trint's interactive editor lets you make changes, highlight important parts, and more.
Collaboration made easy: Share transcripts with team members, collaborate on editing, and ensure everyone has access to the information they need.
Integration options: Though not as extensive as other alternatives, Trint still has integrations with popular platforms, allowing for a streamlined experience.

4. Rev

Rev is another strong player in the transcription game. Unlike fully AI-powered transcription services, Rev combines artificial intelligence with human expertise, creating a unique blend that brings out the best of both worlds.

Here's why Rev is solid alternative to Otter.ai:

Human-aided accuracy: While AI does the heavy lifting, human transcriptionists review and refine the text, ensuring higher accuracy and context understanding.
Variety of services: Beyond transcription, Rev also offers captioning and translation, making it a multifaceted communication tool.
Quick turnaround: Rev's transcription service promises fast delivery, even with human oversight, making it suitable for tight schedules.
User-friendly platform: Easy to use, Rev’s platform allows you to upload files, track progress, and access transcripts with minimal fuss.
Affordable pricing: With clear pricing structures, Rev provides an affordable option for those conscious of their budget.
Security and confidentiality: Rev takes privacy seriously, employing measures to ensure the confidentiality of your content.

5. Vowel

If you’re looking for a tool that does more than just transcribe your meetings, you may want to check out Vowel. It uses AI to analyze your meetings and deliver actionable insights.

Here's how Vowel enhances collaboration and productivity:

Real-time transcription: Like Otter.ai, Vowel provides instantaneous transcription, turning spoken words into written text as the meeting progresses.
Action items and highlights: Beyond transcription, Vowel helps identify critical takeaways, action items, and highlights, ensuring that meetings lead to actual progress.
Integration galore: Vowel integrates seamlessly with calendar apps, conferencing tools, and project management systems, keeping everything neatly connected.
Search and analysis: Can't remember who said what in which meeting? Vowel's powerful search and analysis features let you find information fast.
Collaboration boost: Share notes, assign tasks, and collaborate with team members within the platform, strengthening unity and follow-through.

6. Dialpad

Dialpad is more than just a name in the world of VoIP business phone systems; it's also making strides in the transcription arena. With its Voice intelligence (Vi) feature, Dialpad provides real-time transcription and analysis that can make meetings more accessible and actionable.

Here's why Dialpad shines as an alternative to Otter.ai:

Voice intelligence (Vi): Dialpad's Vi not only transcribes but offers actionable insights, like tracking customer sentiments and spotting trends within conversations.
Integrated communications platform: Dialpad is a complete business communication solution, allowing for seamless transitions between chats, calls, and meetings.
Customization: Tailor Dialpad to your needs. Set up custom alerts, keyword tracking, and more, to make sure the insights you receive are relevant to your goals.
Security compliant: With an eye on data privacy, Dialpad follows industry compliance standards, ensuring your conversations remain confidential.
Cross-device support: Access transcriptions and insights on various devices, keeping information at your fingertips whether you're at your desk or on the go.

7. Avoma

If you're looking for a transcription tool that dives deep into insights and analytics, Avoma might just be your answer. This intelligent platform is designed to not only transcribe meetings but help in deriving value from those conversations.

Let's face it: a meeting without outcomes is a missed opportunity. Here's why Avoma emerges as a good alternative to Otter.ai:

End-to-end meeting collaboration: From scheduling to follow-ups, Avoma is there through the entire meeting lifecycle, making it more than just a transcription service.
AI-driven insights: Get automated summaries, key takeaways, and trend analysis. Avoma's AI capabilities help you understand what's happening in your meetings.
Integrations: Whether it's your email, calendar, or CRM, Avoma integrates seamlessly, ensuring a unified workflow.
Robust search: Finding specific information from past meetings is a breeze with Avoma's searchable transcripts and categorization.
Privacy and security: Avoma prioritizes data security, with measures in place to keep your information safe and sound.

8. tl;dv

In a world where meetings are abundant and time is scarce, tl;dv (too long; didn't view) comes to the rescue with its unique take on transcription and meeting analysis.

It's designed for those who value brevity and need quick insights without diving into hours of recordings. If your motto is "Time is of the essence," tl;dv might end up being your go-to.

Here's why tl;dv stands out as an alternative to Otter.ai:

Quick summaries: tl; dv doesn't just transcribe; it summarizes. Get concise overviews of meetings, focusing on key points and takeaways.
Real-time insights: Monitor meetings as they happen with real-time analytics, including sentiment analysis and keyword tracking.
Collaborative notes: Work together with your team on notes, ensuring everyone’s perspective is included in the post-meeting summary.
Integration-friendly: tl; dv works smoothly with popular collaboration and conferencing tools, making it a versatile part of your tech stack.
Custom alerts: Set up notifications for specific keywords or topics, so you're always in the loop (even if you miss a meeting).

9. Gong.io

Gong.io is a conversation intelligence powerhouse, going beyond mere transcription to provide insights that can drive growth. Particularly known for its application in sales and customer success, Gong.io listens to your calls, deciphers what's being said, and transforms that information into actionable intelligence. It's like having a dedicated analyst at every meeting!

Here's why Gong.io makes an exciting alternative to Otter.ai:

Data-driven insights: Gong.io doesn’t just transcribe; it analyzes, identifying key patterns, trends, and behaviors in your conversations.
Sales and customer focus: If sales and customer relations are your priorities, Gong.io is tuned to provide insights specifically tailored for those domains.
Competitor analysis: Learn how your competitors are being talked about in the industry through Gong.io's analytical capabilities.
Integration with CRM and communication tools: Gong.io plays nicely with popular CRM systems and communication platforms, ensuring a cohesive workflow.
Compliance and security: Gong.io adheres to robust compliance standards, offering peace of mind when it comes to data protection.

10. Tactiq

Tactiq brings a fresh approach to the transcription world with its emphasis on making your meetings actionable. It doesn't just capture words; it captures the meeting’s essence, ensuring that insights, decisions, and action items are all neatly documented.

If you're looking for a better way to turn conversations into tasks, Tactiq might be the tool you've been waiting for.

Here's why Tactiq stands out as an alternative to Otter.ai:

Interactive transcriptions: Tactiq's transcripts are more than static text; they're interactive documents that allow for annotations, highlights, and more.
Action items extraction: Automatically extract and track action items, making sure that decisions translate into tasks.
Seamless integration: Works effortlessly with popular video conferencing tools, making it a natural extension of your virtual meetings.
Accessible archives: Your meeting notes and transcripts are organized and easily accessible, ensuring that past insights are never lost.
Privacy compliant: Tactiq takes data privacy seriously, employing stringent measures to keep your conversations secure.

11. Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe takes the stress out of transcription, offering a user-friendly platform that's all about simplicity and efficiency.

Whether it's interviews, podcasts, or meetings, Happy Scribe can turn spoken words into written text with a smile. It's a tool for those who value precision without complication.

Here's why Happy Scribe dances its way into being an alternative to Otter.ai:

Highly accurate transcriptions: Utilizing advanced speech recognition technology, Happy Scribe prides itself on delivering accurate transcripts.
Multi-language support: Catering to a global audience, Happy Scribe supports various languages, embracing communication diversity.
User-friendly interface: With a focus on simplicity, Happy Scribe offers an intuitive design that makes transcription a breeze, even for first-time users.
Fast turnaround: Need transcripts in a hurry? Happy Scribe delivers quickly, ensuring you aren’t kept waiting.
Data privacy: Rest easy knowing that Happy Scribe maintains robust security protocols.

12. Amberscript

Last but certainly not least, Amberscript emerges as a versatile transcription tool that offers both automated and human-assisted transcription services. If you seek precision paired with flexibility, Amberscript could be your transcription ally.

Here's why Amberscript shines as an alternative to Otter.ai:

Automated and manual transcription options: Choose between AI-driven transcriptions for quick results or human-assisted transcriptions for complex projects.
High accuracy levels: Amberscript offers up to 99% accuracy, ensuring that the subtleties of speech aren't lost in translation.
Multi-language support: With an extensive range of supported languages, Amberscript is ready to listen, no matter what language you speak.
Customizable transcripts: Tailor your transcripts with timestamps, speaker identification, and other formatting options.
Secure and compliant: Data privacy is paramount for Amberscript, with safeguards to protect your information.

Harness the power of AI with Spinach

If you’re looking for the most feature-rich and capable alternative to Otter.ai, Spinach is a tool you and your entire team will love!

Going beyond traditional transcription platforms, Spinach is an AI-powered meeting assistant designed specifically for agile meetings. It provides concise and accurate meeting summaries, detailed insights, targeted action items, and much more, all at a significantly more affordable price point than Otter.ai.

With Spinach, capturing the key points from any in-person or online meeting has never been easier.

Sign up for Spinach today to get more value from your meetings and say goodbye to manual note-taking for good!

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