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Published Jun 24, 2026. Prices, plans and specs last checked Nov 5, 2026.
Quick verdict
Free start: Otter Basic (300 minutes). Individual: Otter Pro ($16.99 monthly, $8.33/month billed annually). Teams in Notion: Notion Business ($20) includes AI Meeting Notes.
Disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate or shop links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change our picks.
Pricing note: Prices are US list prices from the vendors' pages as displayed on Nov 5, 2026, before tax. Plans, limits and prices change often and can differ by country; confirm on the vendor's site before you subscribe. This isn't financial advice.
| Tool | Free | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Otter | Basic: 300 minutes | Pro $16.99 ($8.33/mo annually); Business $30 ($24 annually) |
| Notion AI Meeting Notes | - | Included in Business $20/member |
Consent first
Tell participants when you record or transcribe a meeting; laws in many places require consent.
More: Notion AI plans, best AI tools for business.
How to trial an AI tool properly
Free tiers and trials are the best way to decide, but only if you test with your real work. Pick three tasks you do every week, run each through the tool, and compare the results with how long it would take you by hand. Note where you had to fix the output. Keep sensitive data out of trials unless the vendor's terms and your employer's policy allow it. Cancel trials you won't keep before they renew, and set a calendar reminder the day you sign up.
Watch the usage limits, not just the price
Most AI plans now meter usage with credits, prompts, minutes or 'fair use' caps. Two plans at the same monthly price can give very different amounts of work. Check what happens when you hit the limit: some tools slow down, some switch you to a smaller model, and some charge for extra usage. Annual billing usually lowers the monthly price but locks you in, so start monthly until you're sure.
Privacy and data checklist
- Does the vendor train on your inputs by default, and can you opt out?
- Is there a business plan with stronger data terms?
- Where is data stored, and how long is it kept?
- Can you export or delete your history?
- Does the tool integrate with accounts you already use, and what permissions does it ask for?
What we did and didn't do
This article compares published features and prices. We didn't run scored, hands-on tests, so we don't claim one tool's output is better than another's. Where independent reviewers or the vendors make claims about quality, we attribute them. If you want a quick recommendation, use the plan table to shortlist two tools and try both free tiers for a week.
Avoid paying twice
AI features are now bundled into many products you may already pay for, such as office suites, note apps and chat assistants. Before adding a new subscription, check whether a plan you already have covers the task. A single general assistant plan can replace several single-purpose tools for light use; specialist tools make sense when you use them daily.
Free vs paid: when to upgrade
Free tiers are good enough for occasional use, testing and learning. Upgrade when you hit limits several times a week, when you need a feature that's only on paid plans (such as higher-quality models, longer inputs, team sharing or commercial terms), or when the time saved clearly outweighs the monthly cost. A simple rule: if a tool saves you more than an hour a month and you'd value that hour above the plan price, the upgrade pays for itself. If you only reach for it once a week, stay on free and revisit in a month.
Team and business plans
For companies, the main differences between individual and team plans are admin controls, billing in one place, single sign-on, data-retention settings and stronger commitments about not training on your data. These usually cost more per seat than individual plans, but they reduce the risk of staff pasting company data into personal accounts. If you manage a team, ask vendors for their data processing terms and security documentation before rolling a tool out, and start with a small pilot group.
Always check the output
- Fact-check names, numbers, quotes and links: AI tools can state wrong facts confidently.
- Read generated text aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- For code, run tests and review diffs before merging.
- For images and audio, check licensing and get consent for any real person's likeness or voice.
- Keep a human responsible for anything published or shipped.
Prices outside the US
The prices in this article are US list prices. Many AI vendors charge different amounts in other countries, sometimes with lower regional pricing and sometimes with added local taxes such as VAT or GST. App-store subscriptions can also cost more than subscribing on the web. Check the price shown at checkout in your country, and compare web and app billing before you subscribe.
What we did and didn't do
This article compares published features and prices. We didn't run scored, hands-on tests, so we don't claim one tool's output is better than another's. Where independent reviewers or the vendors make claims about quality, we attribute them. If you want a quick recommendation, use the plan table to shortlist two tools and try both free tiers for a week.
Always check the output
- Fact-check names, numbers, quotes and links: AI tools can state wrong facts confidently.
- Read generated text aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- For code, run tests and review diffs before merging.
- For images and audio, check licensing and get consent for any real person's likeness or voice.
- Keep a human responsible for anything published or shipped.
Check compatibility first
Before buying any smart home device, check three things: which ecosystem you use (Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings or Home Assistant), whether the device supports Matter, and whether it needs a hub. Matter devices can be shared across ecosystems, which reduces lock-in. Read the box or listing carefully: 'works with' badges can refer to different features in each app.
Wi-Fi, Thread and hubs
Wi-Fi devices connect directly to your router, which is simple but can crowd a busy network. Thread and Zigbee devices use a low-power mesh and need a hub or border router, often built into smart speakers, displays or dedicated bridges. If you plan to add many devices, a mesh protocol is usually more reliable. For a few plugs or bulbs, Wi-Fi is fine.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free tier with minutes
- Big annual discount
- Notion option for teams
Cons
- Minute limits
- Consent requirements
- Accuracy varies
FAQ
Is Otter free?
Basic is free with 300 minutes.
How much is Otter Pro?
$16.99 monthly or $8.33/month billed annually.
Does Notion have a note taker?
AI Meeting Notes is on Business.
Is recording legal?
Get consent; rules vary by location.
How we researched this
This is a feature and pricing comparison built from each company's official pricing and product pages, checked on Nov 5, 2026, plus the third-party sources named below. We did not run scored hands-on tests for this article, so we do not rank output quality. Plans, limits and prices change often; confirm on the vendor's site before you subscribe.
Sources
Published Jun 24, 2026. Sources last checked Nov 5, 2026.
