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Otter.ai vs Shadow

Two fact sheets from our own research, side by side — pricing, platforms, API access and status re-checked by us rather than quoted from the vendors. Otter.ai starts at $8.33, Shadow at $8. Both have a free tier. Only Otter.ai ships a public API.

Otter.aiMeeting transcription with per-plan minute and length capsShadowMac app that records meetings without a bot and runs custom AI Skills to draft notes, emails, or summaries.

Side by side

FactOtter.aiShadow
CategoryMeeting AssistantsMeeting Assistants
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starts at$8.33 month$8 month
Public APIYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Chrome Ext, APImacOS
CompanyOtter.aiTaper Labs, Inc.
Launched2016—
Last verifiedSep 6, 2026Sep 1, 2026

What our research says

Otter.ai

Still the default for English-language meeting notes, and the free tier is unusually usable. What determines the right plan is not features but the per-conversation ceiling: 30 minutes on Basic and 90 on Pro means a standard hour-long review truncates on the free tier and a workshop truncates on Pro. Pick the tier by your longest recurring meeting.

Pros

  • 300 free minutes a month makes evaluation real rather than token
  • Annual Pro at $8.33 is roughly half the month-to-month rate
  • An MCP server is exposed from the free tier, so assistants can query transcripts without the paid API
  • Business removes the minute cap entirely rather than raising it

Cons

  • The API and webhooks require Enterprise, which is quote-only
  • Per-conversation ceilings (30 min free, 90 min Pro) cut recordings mid-meeting
  • Basic allows three file imports in total, not per month
  • Month-to-month pricing is roughly double annual at both self-serve tiers

Shadow

Shadow's bot-free recording and on-device transcription solve two real complaints about meeting-notetaker tools: awkward bot participants and audio leaving your machine. Skills give it more range than a plain transcription tool, but the whole product is Mac-only, so it's not an option for Windows-based teams.

Pros

  • Free tier includes unlimited transcription and recording, not just a trial
  • No bot joins the call, capture happens locally on the Mac
  • Custom Skills extend beyond notes into emails and structured summaries
  • On-device processing keeps audio off external servers

Cons

  • Mac only, no Windows or Linux client
  • Not joining as a visible bot could raise meeting-recording consent questions depending on jurisdiction

Which one fits

Choose Otter.ai if you need

  • Teams that live in Zoom, Meet or Teams and want notes without a note-taker
  • Accessibility use, where live captions matter as much as the transcript
  • Recruiters and researchers who need searchable interview records across a workspace

Choose Shadow if you need

  • Mac users wanting meeting notes without a visible bot joining the call
  • Privacy-conscious teams wanting on-device transcription
  • Sales teams wanting BANT or similar structured meeting breakdowns automatically

More comparisons

All Otter.ai alternatives →All Shadow alternatives →Browse all Meeting Assistants →