In 2025, Otter.ai stands out as a top AI tool for turning speech into written notes. But there’s a lot to consider before trying it. Here’s a clear look at what real users say, how much it costs, what the free plan offers, and which alternative tools might fit you even better.

How Does Otter AI Work?

Otter.ai is easy to start. First, sign up with your email or Google/Apple account. Once you log in, you can hit “Record” to capture live audio (from a meeting, class, or even a phone call on speaker), or you can upload audio or video files for transcription.

Otter writes out what it hears, separates speakers, and highlights keywords as it goes. If you use Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, you can have OtterBot join your call and take notes for everyone.

Otter.ai Reviews and Testimonials

When users talk about Otter.ai, they often mention how easy it is. The app records what’s said during meetings, interviews, or classes and quickly turns it into a transcript.

On G2, Otter.ai scores 4.2 out of 5 stars. People like how it makes note-taking fast and meetings more organized. On Trustpilot, it sits at about 3.9 out of 5. The main complaints? Billing surprises and trouble canceling subscriptions.

Students and freelancers on Reddit say Otter’s automatic notes help a lot when reviewing lectures or calls. The downside is the free plan has limits. If you record many or long meetings, you’ll hit those limits fast.

Experts agree Otter.ai makes live transcription simple. But the freemium plan—free to start, pay for more—can frustrate anyone who needs lots of minutes. Users like the summaries and keyword highlights. They also warn: double-check your billing and set reminders, so the auto-renew doesn’t catch you off guard.

Otter.ai Pricing

Let’s talk money. Is Otter AI free? Yes, but with limits. The Basic plan gives you 300 minutes of transcription every month. Each recording can last up to 30 minutes, and you get only a few file imports for life on the free plan.

Once you reach the limit, you wait for the next month or pay up. The Pro plan costs $16.99 per month (or about $10/month if paid yearly). It gives you 1,200 minutes a month, with recordings up to 90 minutes. The Business plan gives teams 6,000 minutes per user and costs $30–$40 per user per month.

If you go over your minutes, you may be charged extra ($0.05/minute). There are no hidden sign-up fees, but auto-renew is common. Many users forget to cancel and get billed again.

Otter has a strict no-refund rule. If you cancel right after being billed, you usually won’t get your money back. Some students use this tip: try the free plan, use the 7-day Pro trial (needs a card), then cancel before paying. Otter doesn’t offer student discounts or special EDU plans right now.

Otter.ai Alternatives

Otter.ai isn’t the only AI note-taker out there. If the limits or pricing don’t fit, here are top options worth a look:

• Fireflies.ai: Similar features and pricing as Otter. It does live transcription and connects to tools like Slack. Some say it’s cheaper for teams, but overall accuracy is about the same.
• Descript: Good for podcasting or video projects. Its $15/month plan gives unlimited transcriptions, but not all features are included. Descript is best if you want to edit audio by editing text.
• Sonix.ai: Supports more languages and works on a pay-as-you-go model (about $10/hour). It’s best for uploading files, not live meetings.
• Rev.com: Uses humans for transcription at $1.50/minute. It costs more, but accuracy is high.
• Jamie, Notta, Microsoft Transcribe, Google Recorder: Each has unique features, like privacy, offline work, or free plans. Google Recorder is free, but only for Pixel users.

You can mix free plans from different tools to get more transcription time. But read each tool’s terms before using this trick.

How Does Otter AI Work?

Otter.ai is easy to start. First, sign up with your email or Google/Apple account. Once you log in, you can hit “Record” to capture live audio (from a meeting, class, or even a phone call on speaker), or you can upload audio or video files for transcription.

Otter writes out what it hears, separates speakers, and highlights keywords as it goes. If you use Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, you can have OtterBot join your call and take notes for everyone.

After your meeting, read, search, or edit the transcript. The app can create summaries and highlight key points. You can copy and share a link or export notes in formats like PDF or DOCX (Pro needed for some exports).

For Students

Students use Otter to record classes, review transcripts, and search for key points while studying. It saves time rewriting or listening again. Otter won’t explain the material, but it makes sure you catch every word said out loud.

For Tutors

Tutors use Otter to record lessons, then send transcripts to students for later review. There isn’t a special tutor mode—Otter just helps you capture what’s said, whenever you need it.

Otter.ai: Company Information

Otter.ai began in 2016. Its founders—Sam Liang (ex-Google, Stanford PhD) and Yun Fu—wanted to make meetings and learning easier by removing manual note-taking. They work from Silicon Valley.

By 2025, Otter.ai serves more than 15 million users and is used by companies like Zoom, IBM, and Dropbox. Most users live in the US, UK, or other English-speaking places, but Otter now transcribes in English, French, and Spanish. All tools are in English only.

Otter’s features keep improving. Their Meeting Agent joins calls, answers questions, and can automate follow-ups. The AI now does a better job separating speakers and making summaries.

Support is by email, with faster service for paying users. Many say support is slow, especially with billing. There’s no live chat or phone help. Refunds almost never happen, so set reminders to cancel before your renewal date.

The company plans to add more AI helpers, more accurate transcriptions, and support for more languages. Updates keep coming for Zoom, Google, and Teams support.

Otter.ai vs. My Engineering Buddy

Otter.ai and My Engineering Buddy (MEB) do different things. Otter.ai writes down what’s said in meetings or classes. MEB connects you to real tutors who help explain concepts or answer questions.

Otter is cheaper each month and great for making notes. MEB costs more per session but gives you expert teaching and homework help. Use Otter if you want to record and review what’s said. Use MEB if you need help understanding the material itself.

FAQ About Otter.ai

• Is Otter AI free?
  Yes, you get 300 minutes/month on the Basic plan, but each session is capped at 30 minutes.
• How does Otter AI work?
  Otter records audio or joins online meetings, then creates real-time transcripts with summaries and keywords.
• Does Otter AI have student discounts?
  No, there are no student discounts or special EDU plans right now.
• Can I get a refund?
  Refunds are almost never given. Cancel before your auto-renew date to avoid more charges.
• Are there hidden costs?
  No sign-up fees, but you may pay extra if you go over your monthly minutes. Free trials convert to paid if not canceled.
• Is Otter AI safe?
  Otter uses standard security for privacy, but check policies before recording sensitive info.
• How do I use Otter AI for lectures?
  Record live in class or upload audio after. Then review, edit, and export the notes.

Conclusion

Otter.ai is a great pick for fast, automatic meeting or lecture notes. The free plan works for light use, but frequent users will need to pay. People say it’s easy and accurate, but billing rules are strict and support can be slow.

If you want real tutoring, check out My Engineering Buddy. For editing podcasts or videos, Descript or Sonix may work better. Exploring the best AI for productivity can help you make the most of tools like Otter.ai.

Otter.ai helps you spend less time on notes and more on learning or working. Always read the details of every subscription and cancel in time if you want to switch.