Choose Whisper Web if…
- You already have the recording from Zoom, Teams, Meet or your phone
- You do not want a bot joining the call
- The meeting is in a language Otter.ai does not list, such as Korean, Hindi or Arabic
- You want SRT, VTT or Word files without a paid plan
Choose Otter.ai if…
- You want a notetaker that joins live calls on its own
- You need speaker names, summaries and action items written for you
- Your team shares and searches meeting notes in one workspace
Whisper Web vs Otter.ai at a glance
| Feature | Whisper Web | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Whisper WebTranscribing recordings you already have | Otter.aiLive meeting notes from a notetaker |
| Meeting bot | Whisper WebNone; you upload or record a file | Otter.aiJoins Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet |
| Free plan for files | Whisper Web20 minutes and 200 MB per file, no daily file cap, no account | Otter.aiBasic: 3 audio or video imports in total, 30 minutes per conversation |
| Where the audio is processed | Whisper WebIn your browser on the free plan; cloud on Unlimited | Otter.aiUploaded to Otter.ai |
| Languages | Whisper Web99 | Otter.aiEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Chinese |
| Speaker labels | Whisper WebNot automatic; add names while editing | Otter.aiOn every plan |
| Summaries and AI chat | Whisper WebNot provided | Otter.aiSummaries, action items and AI Chat |
| SRT and Word export | Whisper WebFree | Otter.aiFrom the Pro plan; Basic exports TXT and MP3 |
Otter.ai facts from its official pages, checked 8 Nov 2026. Confirm current plans on each site.
How the audio gets in
Whisper Web
You bring the file: a Zoom, Teams or Meet recording, a voice memo, or a take from your microphone. MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4 and MOV all work. Nothing joins your calls, so there is no bot for other attendees to see.
Otter.ai
Otter's notetaker joins your Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet calls and writes notes while the meeting runs. You can also import audio and video files, within your plan's import limit.
Verdict
If the meeting is still ahead and you want notes written live, Otter fits. If the meeting is over and you have the recording, Whisper Web gets you the transcript without a bot.
Free plan limits
Whisper Web
Free local mode transcribes files up to 20 minutes and 200 MB each in your browser, with no account. The file is not uploaded for transcription. There is no daily or lifetime cap on how many files you transcribe.
Otter.ai
Otter's free Basic plan includes a monthly allowance of meeting minutes, 30 minutes per conversation and 3 audio or video file imports in total. Paid plans raise those limits and are billed per user.
Verdict
For transcribing files on a free plan, Whisper Web goes further: Otter's Basic plan stops after three imports. For live meetings, Otter's free minutes are the relevant limit.
Languages and exports
Whisper Web
99 languages, plus translation of speech into English. Export TXT, Word (DOCX), JSON, SRT and VTT on the free plan, and replay any passage by its timestamp while you edit.
Otter.ai
Otter's pricing page lists transcription in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Basic exports TXT and MP3; Pro adds PDF, DOCX and SRT; Business adds bulk export.
Verdict
Whisper Web covers more languages and gives subtitle and Word files for free. Otter's exports are tied to its plans.
Where Otter.ai is stronger
Otter is built for live meetings. Its notetaker joins calls on its own, identifies speakers by name, writes summaries with action items and shares notes with your team. Whisper Web does not join calls, label speakers or write summaries, so if those are the job, Otter is the better choice.
Other Otter.ai alternatives
Pick by how the audio reaches the tool. Free-plan details are from each official pricing page.
| Tool | How the audio gets in | Free plan | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whisper Web | How the audio gets in: You upload a file or record in the browser; no bot | Free plan: 20 minutes and 200 MB per file in your browser; no account | Good fit when: You already have the recording, or it is confidential |
| Fireflies.ai | How the audio gets in: Notetaker joins meetings; file upload too | Free plan: Transcription with limited AI summaries and 400 minutes of storage per team | Good fit when: Your team wants notes synced to other apps |
| Fathom | How the audio gets in: Records calls with a bot, or bot-free capture in beta on Mac | Free plan: Lists unlimited recordings and transcriptions | Good fit when: You want free call summaries for Zoom, Meet or Teams |
| Notta | How the audio gets in: Meeting bot, live recording or file upload | Free plan: 120 minutes a month, 3 minutes per conversation | Good fit when: Short recordings and quick notes |
| TurboScribe | How the audio gets in: You upload files for cloud transcription | Free plan: 3 transcripts a day, each up to 30 minutes | Good fit when: You upload long files and accept a daily cap |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Otter.ai alternative?
For a recording you already have, Whisper Web: its free local mode needs no account and transcribes each file up to 20 minutes and 200 MB in your browser, with no daily file cap. For free live call notes, compare notetakers such as Fathom.
Can I transcribe a Zoom or Teams recording without Otter.ai?
Yes. Download the cloud or local recording, then open the MP4 or M4A file in Whisper Web. Files up to 20 minutes are transcribed free on your device; longer files can go to Unlimited. See meeting transcription.
How many files can I import on Otter's free plan?
Otter's pricing page lists 3 audio or video file imports in total on the free Basic plan, as checked on 8 Nov 2026. Whisper Web's free local mode has no file-count cap.
Does Whisper Web label speakers like Otter.ai?
No. Whisper Web produces a continuous, timestamped transcript. Add speaker names while you edit, before you export.
Which languages does Otter.ai transcribe?
English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Chinese, per otter.ai/pricing. Whisper Web transcribes 99 languages, including Korean, Hindi, Arabic and Vietnamese.
When is Otter.ai the better choice?
When you want a notetaker that joins calls, labels speakers, writes summaries and shares notes with a team. Whisper Web is for accurate, editable transcripts of files you provide.