GoatNote vs Otter.ai
Enterprise Transcription Leader meets privacy-first on-device transcription. Here's how they compare.
What We Genuinely Love About Otter.ai
Otter.ai pioneered accessible AI transcription and remains the industry leader for team collaboration. Their automated slide capture genuinely solves a pain point we don't address, and OtterPilot's seamless meeting integration is polished and reliable. For enterprise teams managing workspaces and permissions, Otter's Business tier offers sophisticated features that transcription-alone tools simply can't match.
- ✓Industry-leading brand recognition and polish
- ✓Automated slide/screenshare capture during meetings
- ✓Strong integration with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
- ✓OtterPilot auto-joins meetings seamlessly
- ✓Sophisticated workspace management for enterprise teams
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Otter.ai | GoatNote Plus | GoatNote Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $16.99 (Pro) | $9.99 | $19.99 |
| Annual Cost | $99.96 | $79.99 | $99.99 |
| Transcription | 300 min/mo free, 1,200 min/mo Pro | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Session Limit | 30 min free, 90 min Pro | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Privacy Model | Cloud (AWS) | On-device | On-device |
| Bot Visibility | Joins meetings | No bot | No bot |
| Real-time Q&A | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Slide Capture | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Team Features | Advanced | Individual | Individual |
Where GoatNote Takes a Different Approach
Privacy Architecture
Stores all data in AWS cloud with indefinite retention unless manually deleted. Audio uploaded to servers for processing.
Transcription Limits
Free tier limited to 300 min/month with 30 min session cap. Pro tier has 1,200 min/month limit.
Bot Visibility
OtterPilot bot visibly joins all meetings. Many organizations block these bots due to privacy concerns.
GoatNote's Philosophy
We chose 100% on-device processing because we believe your thoughts deserve absolute privacy. Otter chose cloud storage to enable team collaboration features we don't offer. Different architectures for different priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
When to Choose Otter.ai
- →Enterprise teams needing workspace collaboration and admin controls
- →Teams requiring slide/screenshare capture during presentations
- →Organizations with established AWS/cloud infrastructure compliance
- →Users who need bot-based meeting attendance (Zoom, Teams auto-join)
When GoatNote Shines
- ✓Privacy-conscious users (students, therapists, legal professionals, medical staff)
- ✓Budget-conscious individuals (32% cheaper annually - $79.99 vs $99.96)
- ✓Users needing unlimited transcription on free tier
- ✓Real-time learners who want to ask questions during meetings, not after
Pricing Breakdown
Otter.ai
Free
$0 - 300 min/month
30 min max per session
Pro
$16.99/month (or $8.33/month annual) - 1,200 min/month
GoatNote
Free
$0 - Unlimited transcription
10 AI credits/month
Plus
$9.99/month (or $79.99/year) - Unlimited transcription
200 AI credits/month
Pro
$19.99/month (or $99.99/year) - Unlimited transcription
Unlimited AI credits
💰 GoatNote Plus saves you 32% annually vs Otter Pro
$79.99/year vs $99.96/year
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Otter.ai to GoatNote?
Yes! You can export your Otter transcripts and manually import them to GoatNote. While we don't have automated migration yet, the transition is straightforward for individual users.
Does GoatNote have slide capture like Otter?
No, we focus on transcription intelligence and real-time Q&A rather than slide capture. Otter's strength here is genuinely impressive for presentation-heavy meetings.
Is GoatNote more private than Otter.ai?
Yes. GoatNote uses 100% on-device transcription (Apple's Speech Framework), so your audio never leaves your device. Otter stores data in AWS cloud with indefinite retention unless manually deleted.
Is GoatNote cheaper than Otter.ai?
Yes. GoatNote Plus ($79.99/year) is 32% cheaper than Otter Pro ($99.96/year), and our free tier includes unlimited transcription vs Otter's 300 min/month limit.
Which is better for teams: Otter or GoatNote?
Otter.ai is better for teams. They offer workspace management, admin controls, and collaboration features that GoatNote doesn't have. GoatNote is built for individual users who prioritize privacy and simplicity.
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