Fathom vs tl;dv: the two best free bots
Disclosure: I make MeetMouse, which competes with both. Neither of these is a bad choice, which is kind of annoying for me.
What each tool is
Fathom joins your call, records it, and gives you clean summaries and action items. Generous free plan with no shot clock.
tl;dv joins your call, records it, and is built around clipping and sharing moments. The free plan keeps data up to 3 months.
Head to head
| Fathom | tl;dv | |
|---|---|---|
| Bot joins the call | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Unlimited recordings + summaries | Unlimited recordings, data kept up to 3 months |
| Paid | Team from $19/user/mo | Pro $29/seat/mo |
| Best at | Summaries and action items | Clips and highlights |
| Where AI runs | Cloud | Cloud |
Where Fathom wins
- The free plan. No 3-month deletion. Your recordings stick around.
- Summaries. The cleanest out of the box.
- Cheaper paid tier. $19 vs $29.
Where tl;dv wins
- Clipping. Grab the moment, send it to the team. That's the product.
- Show, don't tell. For product and research teams, a 40-second clip changes minds faster than a paragraph.
The part neither fixes
Both are bots, both are cloud, and both document the meeting after it's over. MeetMouse doesn't join the call, keeps transcription and AI on your Mac, and coaches you while the meeting's still winnable — notes after, too. Free for 3 meetings a week, $20 once for unlimited. It happily runs alongside either one. MeetMouse vs Fathom · MeetMouse vs tl;dv.
Questions
- Is Fathom or tl;dv better?
- Fathom for summaries and a free plan that doesn't delete recordings. tl;dv for clipping and sharing moments.
- Are Fathom and tl;dv free?
- Both have free plans. Fathom's keeps recordings; tl;dv's free plan keeps data up to 3 months. Paid: Fathom Team from $19/user/month, tl;dv Pro $29/seat/month.
- Do both join as a bot?
- Yes. For no bot, look at Granola (cloud notes) or MeetMouse (on your Mac).
- Can I use MeetMouse with Fathom or tl;dv?
- Yes. They record; MeetMouse listens through your Mac and coaches you live. No conflict.
Try MeetMouse
Free to start: unlimited your first week, then 3 meetings a week, and your notes are never locked. Invite 2 friends or pay $20 once for unlimited. No subscription, no account.
Download MeetMouse freeI checked prices and features for the tools here in September 2026. This stuff changes constantly, so double-check before you buy.