Otter is the original AI notetaker, and its bot joins your calls by default. recd records on your Mac with nothing in the call, and keeps the audio, transcript and notes in your Google Drive.
Otter transcribes and summarises meetings, usually by sending Otter Notetaker into Zoom, Meet or Teams; its desktop app can also record without it. recd records on your Mac and saves to your Drive.
| recd | Otter | |
|---|---|---|
| Records your screen | Yes | No |
| Records meetings | Yes, both sides, in any call app | Yes |
| Sends a bot into your calls | Never | Yes by default; the desktop app can record without it |
| Where your files live | Your Google Drive | Otter’s cloud |
| Transcribed on your Mac | Yes, with Apple’s speech engine | Not stated |
| AI notes | Yes, written by your own Claude | Summaries and AI chat across meetings |
| Runs on | Mac (macOS 26) | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, web |
| Free plan | Free while in beta | 300 minutes a month, 30 minutes per conversation |
| Paid plan | None yet | Pro $8.33/mo billed yearly, $16.99 monthly |
Otter prices from otter.ai/pricing, checked 20 Oct 2026. Prices change; check theirs before you decide. recd is free while in beta.
By default, Otter Notetaker joins Zoom, Google Meet and Teams calls on your calendar. Otter’s desktop app can also record without it. recd never sends anything into the call.
300 transcription minutes a month, 30 minutes per conversation, and only your 25 most recent conversations are kept.
No. recd records on your Mac, so you need to be on the call.
Both skip the bot. Only one keeps the audio and records your screen.
$14/mo vs free in betaSee full comparison → recd vs FirefliesNo bot in the call, and no storage minutes to run out of.
$10/seat vs free in betaSee full comparison → recd vs FathomBoth start free. Only one records your screen and saves to your Drive.
Their cloud vs your DriveSee full comparison →Free while in beta. Your recordings stay in your Google Drive.