Best AI Note Taking Apps 2024 (Otter vs EVERYTHING!)

Meredith Marsh
3 Mar 202411:14

TLDRIn this video, the host compares six AI note-taking apps, including Otter, Fathom, Fireflies, NADA, Nota, and Bubbles, by putting them to the test in a single Zoom call. The goal is to find the best tool for transcribing, summarizing, and sharing notes from group and one-on-one calls. The host evaluates features like summaries, action items, and chatbot interactions, revealing Otter as the most familiar and preferred choice, while also highlighting the unique features of Fathom's Highlight and bookmark functionalities. The summary also touches on the ease of use and trial accessibility of each app, inviting viewers to share their favorite AI note-taking tools for increased productivity.

Takeaways

  • 😀 AI note-taking apps are becoming increasingly popular, with the user testing six different apps to determine the best one.
  • 🤔 The user conducts a head-to-head competition by using all six apps in a single Zoom call to compare their performance.
  • 📝 The user's primary use for AI note-taking is during group and one-on-one Zoom calls, as well as for personal brainstorming sessions.
  • 🔄 The AI note-takers should be capable of sharing notes with teams or clients to alleviate the need for manual note-taking during calls.
  • 📑 Otter stands out for its summary feature, action items, and word-for-word transcript, which the user particularly appreciates.
  • 🗨️ Fireflies offers a similar experience to Otter but includes additional data analytics, such as talk time percentages and words per minute.
  • 🔍 Fathom provides a unique approach with its software-based interface, allowing for highlights and bookmarks within the call transcript.
  • 🚫 Nota (or NADA) requires payment information upfront, limiting the user's ability to fully test the app without committing to a subscription.
  • 📋 Rewatch offers a to-do list format for action items and includes a video recap, although it lacks an interactive chatbot feature.
  • 🔮 Bubbles, despite its fun name, did not detect any action items and had limited interaction with the user, leaving the experience underwhelming.
  • 🏝️ The user expresses a preference for Otter due to familiarity and continuous feature updates, suggesting it would be the choice for a stranded island scenario.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of AI note-taking apps discussed in the script?

    -The main purpose of AI note-taking apps discussed in the script is to assist in transcribing, summarizing, and sharing notes from various types of calls, including group Zoom calls and one-on-one sessions, as well as for personal brainstorming.

  • How does the author use AI note-taking apps in their membership group calls?

    -The author uses AI note-taking apps in their membership group calls to take notes during the sessions, allowing participants to focus on the discussion rather than taking notes themselves.

  • What is the significance of AI note-taking apps being 'sharable' according to the script?

    -The significance of AI note-taking apps being 'sharable' is that it allows the author to share the notes with their team or clients after the calls, ensuring everyone is on the same page and has access to the information discussed.

  • What are the key features that the author appreciates in the Otter AI note-taking app?

    -The author appreciates Otter's ability to provide summaries, action items, outlines, and word-for-word transcripts. They also like the chatbot feature that allows interaction with the transcript.

  • How does Fireflies AI note-taking app differ from others in terms of data provided?

    -Fireflies provides additional data such as the percentage of time each participant spoke, words per minute, and sentiments, offering a more detailed analysis of the call dynamics.

  • What is unique about Fathom's approach to AI note-taking compared to the other apps?

    -Fathom is unique because it is not just an AI bot joining the call, but actual software on the computer. It allows users to create highlights and bookmarks within the call, providing a more interactive experience.

  • Why was the author unable to fully test Nota's AI note-taking app?

    -The author was unable to fully test Nota's app because it only provided a partial transcript of the first three minutes and required an upgrade or credit card information to access more.

  • What does the author find lacking in the Rewatch AI note-taking app?

    -The author finds that Rewatch lacks a chatbot feature and does not provide as much interaction or recap as they would like, making it less engaging compared to other apps.

  • What was the author's experience with Bubbles AI note-taking app?

    -The author found Bubbles to be less interactive, as it did not detect any action items and did not provide a chatbot response, leaving the author with limited information about its capabilities.

  • What does the author suggest about the future of AI note-taking tools?

    -The author suggests that the AI note-taking tools are rapidly evolving and improving, and by the time viewers watch the video, the tools may have significantly advanced features and possibly new options available.

  • How does the author encourage viewers to engage with the video content?

    -The author encourages viewers to leave a comment sharing their favorite AI note-taking tools, hit the like button if they found the video helpful, and subscribe for more content related to improving online presence and productivity.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 AI Note-Taking Apps Showdown

The speaker is enthusiastic about AI note-taking applications and decides to test six of them in a single Zoom call to determine the best one. The apps tested include Otter, Fathom, Fireflies, NADA/Nota, Rewatch, and Bubbles. The purpose of using AI note-taking is discussed, which includes group and one-on-one Zoom calls, as well as personal brainstorming sessions. The speaker emphasizes the need for the notes to be sharable. The video script also includes a casual conversation with a community manager to test the AI chatbots' capabilities, highlighting Otter's summary and transcript features, and the unique chatbot feature of Descript.

05:01

📝 Comparing Features and User Experiences

This paragraph delves into the comparison of the AI note-taking apps. The speaker notes similarities between Otter and Fireflies, such as providing summaries, action items, and transcripts. Fathom is highlighted for its unique features like the Highlight and bookmark functionalities, which are beneficial for group calls. The speaker expresses disappointment with Nota for requiring payment information upfront and not providing a full transcript in the trial. The paragraph also touches on the limitations of Rewatch and Bubbles, with the latter not detecting any action items and lacking interactive features.

10:05

🚀 Final Thoughts on AI Note-Taking Evolution

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker reflects on the rapid evolution of AI note-taking tools and invites viewers to share their experiences and favorite apps in the comments. The speaker also encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more content on improving online presence and building a thriving business on platforms like YouTube.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI note taking apps

AI note taking apps are software applications that use artificial intelligence to transcribe, summarize, and organize notes from audio or video content. In the video, the main theme revolves around comparing different AI note taking apps to determine which one offers the best features for transcribing and summarizing Zoom calls, which is essential for productivity and organization.

💡Otter

Otter is one of the AI note taking apps mentioned in the script. It is highlighted for its ability to provide summaries, action items, and word-for-word transcripts. The video creator expresses familiarity and preference for Otter, indicating that it is a key player in the AI note taking app market and is used for testing against other apps.

💡Fathom

Fathom is distinguished from other apps as it is not just an AI bot but also includes software that interacts with the computer. It offers unique features like Highlights and Bookmarks, which allow users to mark important parts of the conversation and easily navigate the transcript. This is particularly useful for group Zoom calls where multiple topics and questions are discussed.

💡Action items

Action items refer to tasks or steps that need to be taken following a meeting or discussion. In the context of the video, AI note taking apps are evaluated on their ability to identify and list these action items, which is crucial for ensuring that nothing is overlooked after a call.

💡Transcription

Transcription is the process of converting spoken language into written text. The video script discusses the transcription capabilities of various AI note taking apps, emphasizing the importance of accurate and complete transcriptions for note-taking purposes.

💡Summarization

Summarization in the context of AI note taking apps involves condensing lengthy discussions into shorter, more digestible formats. The script mentions that apps like Otter provide summaries, which help users quickly grasp the key points of a conversation.

💡Chatbot

A chatbot is an AI program designed to simulate conversation with users. In the script, the video creator tests the chatbot feature of some AI note taking apps, which allows for interaction with the transcript, such as asking questions and receiving responses about the content discussed during the call.

💡Productivity

Productivity in this video refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which tasks are completed. The main goal of using AI note taking apps, as discussed in the script, is to enhance productivity by reducing the time and effort spent on note-taking during meetings.

💡Templates

Templates in the context of AI note taking apps are pre-defined structures or formats that users can apply to their notes. The script mentions Nota's approach to allowing users to create their own templates, which could potentially customize the note-taking experience to better suit individual needs.

💡Trials and subscriptions

Trials and subscriptions are methods by which users can access AI note taking apps. The script notes that some apps offer free trials, while others require payment information for access. This aspect is important for users considering the cost and value of the service.

💡Zoom calls

Zoom calls are video conferencing sessions facilitated by the Zoom platform. The video script uses Zoom calls as the context for testing AI note taking apps, highlighting the practical application of these apps in a common business and communication setting.

Highlights

AI note taking apps have become a favorite tool for managing group Zoom calls and brainstorming sessions.

The test involved six AI note taking apps: Otter, Fathom, Fireflies, NADA or Nota, Rewatch, and Bubbles.

Otter is known for its excellent summaries, action items, and word-for-word transcripts.

Fireflies provides an overview, action items, outline, and interesting data about the call, such as talk time and words per minute.

Fathom offers a unique approach with software on the computer, allowing for highlights and bookmarks during the call.

Nota or NADA requires a paid account to access more than the first three minutes of the transcript.

Rewatch provides a recap, action items in the form of a to-do list, and a transcript.

Bubbles notetaker did not detect any action items from the meeting and provided a summary.

Otter and Fireflies provided similar experiences with their AI note taking capabilities.

Fathom's highlight and bookmark features could be very handy for group Zoom calls.

Nota's template library idea is appealing but requires payment to fully test.

Rewatch lacks a chatbot and offers limited recap compared to others.

Bubbles' notetaker did not interact as expected, despite having a chatbot feature.

Otter is a long-term favorite and continues to improve with new features.

The AI note taking tools are rapidly evolving, with new features and improvements being added frequently.

The author encourages viewers to share their favorite AI note taking tools and experiences in the comments.

The video aims to help viewers look good, sound good, and feel good on camera to build a thriving online business.