AI note takers that work without a bot: 15 compared

We make ChadFlow, so it is on this list. Where another tool does a job better, we say so. Every price and limit below was checked on the vendor's own site on October 6, 2026.

What “without a bot” means

A bot-based note taker joins the call as an extra participant and records from inside the meeting. A bot-free one runs on your computer and records two things directly: your microphone and the sound your computer is playing. Nobody else on the call sees anything join. Our guide to AI meeting notes without a bot explains the mechanics.

Two things the label does not tell you:

• Where the audio goes. Most bot-free tools still send audio to the cloud to transcribe it. Only a few transcribe on your own machine.
• Whether you may record. Consent rules apply however the audio is captured. Without a bot in the room, telling people you are recording is your job.

All fifteen, side by side

Prices are in US dollars unless a euro sign is shown. Jamie and MacWhisper publish euro prices. “Not stated” means the vendor's pages do not say where transcription runs.

Tools built without a bot

ChadFlow

ChadFlow's desktop apps for Mac and Windows record your microphone and system audio on the device, label the speakers, and write the notes. What sets it apart is the live side: during the call it shows the transcript as it happens and can suggest answers, which is why people use it for interviews and client calls. Speech is transcribed in the cloud, and the audio is not kept as a stored copy afterwards. Plans start at $9.99 a week, which includes five hours of meeting recording.

Granola

Granola uses your computer's audio and merges the transcript with the rough notes you type during the call. It covers the most devices of the bot-free tools: Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Audio goes to cloud transcription providers and is not stored; transcripts and notes are hosted in the United States. The free plan has no meeting limit but shows only the last 30 days of notes. Business is $14 per user a month.

Jamie

Jamie records through your microphone and system audio on Mac and Windows. Audio is uploaded to servers in Frankfurt, transcribed, and then deleted. It recognises speakers by voice and remembers them in later meetings. The free plan allows 10 notes a month with a 30-minute limit per meeting. Plus is €21 a month, billed annually.

Muesli

Muesli is a free, open-source Mac app for Apple Silicon. Transcription runs on the device, and recordings and transcripts stay in local storage. Summaries are optional and use a provider you choose or a local model. There is no Windows version.

MacWhisper

MacWhisper transcribes on the Mac by default and can record meetings as well as files. Speaker recognition is part of Pro, a one-time purchase of €64 with lifetime updates, and the checkout page lists meeting recording under Pro as well. The free version has fewer models and features.

Anarlog

Anarlog is the open-source app formerly called Hyprnote. It records microphone and computer audio on Mac, with Windows and Linux builds in beta. You choose between on-device models, your own API keys, or hosted transcription. The free plan includes unlimited on-device transcription; Pro is $14 a month.

ChatGPT record mode

The ChatGPT app for Mac has a record button that captures microphone and system audio and files the notes in your chat history. Audio is deleted after transcription. It is not on the free plan, so the entry price is ChatGPT Plus at $20 a month, and it is Mac only for now.

Notion AI Meeting Notes

Notion's desktop app captures system audio and microphone on Mac and Windows; in the browser and on phones it hears only the microphone. Audio is transcribed in the cloud and not stored by Notion's providers. The feature is included from the Business plan, $20 per member a month billed yearly, with only a limited trial on cheaper plans.

Krisp

Krisp installs a virtual microphone and speaker that you select in your calling app, so it removes background noise and takes notes in one step. Noise cancelling runs on the device; transcription runs in the cloud. Krisp no longer has a permanent free plan, only a 7-day trial. Core is $8 per user a month billed annually, or $16 monthly.

Bluedot

Bluedot captures from a Chrome extension or a desktop app instead of joining the call, which suits people who live in Google Meet. Recordings are stored in the cloud. The free plan covers five meetings in total; Basic is $14 per user a month billed annually and records audio only.

Bot-based tools that added a bot-free mode

These five are known for their meeting bots. Each now also offers recording without one, usually as an option in the desktop app.

• Otter. The desktop app can record device audio so the Notetaker does not join. The free plan gives 300 transcription minutes a month; Pro is $8.33 per user a month billed annually. Otter says it trains its models on de-identified user data.
• Fireflies. The desktop app's bot-free notes capture system audio and save only a transcript and summary, with no audio file. Speakers are labelled generically without the bot. Pro is $10 per seat a month billed annually.
• tl;dv. Its desktop app records without a bot, audio only. The free plan includes unlimited recordings and AI notes for 10 meetings; Pro is $18 per seat a month billed annually.
• Fathom. Bot-free capture is in beta on Mac, with Windows listed as coming. The free plan includes unlimited recordings and transcription; Premium is $16 per user a month billed annually. Superhuman acquired Fathom in September 2026.
• Fellow. Botless Recording runs in the Mac and Windows apps and is aimed at companies that need admin-set retention rules. The free plan covers five recordings in total; Team is $7 per user a month billed annually.

How to choose

• The audio must not leave your computer: Muesli, MacWhisper or Anarlog.
• The data must stay in the EU: Jamie.
• You want it free: Muesli on a Mac; Granola, tl;dv or Fathom if cloud processing is fine.
• You want help during the meeting, not only afterwards: ChadFlow.
• You work in noisy places: Krisp.
• You already pay for it: ChatGPT on a Mac, or Notion if your team's documents live there.
• You sometimes want video or a shared team archive: one of the bot-based tools with a bot-free switch.

Frequently asked questions

Can an AI take meeting notes without a bot joining the call?

Yes. A desktop app can record your microphone and your computer's audio directly, so nothing is added to the participant list. All fifteen tools on this page can work that way.

Is a bot-free note taker more private?

Not automatically. Bot-free describes how the audio is captured, not where it goes. Most of these tools still send audio to the cloud for transcription. Muesli, MacWhisper and Anarlog can transcribe on your own computer.

Do I still need permission to record?

Yes. Recording-consent laws apply however the audio is captured, and they differ by country and state. The other people cannot see a bot, so telling them you are taking recorded notes is up to you.

Which bot-free note takers are free?

Muesli is free and open source. Granola, Jamie, Anarlog, tl;dv, Fathom and Fireflies have free plans with limits. Krisp and Notion offer only a trial, and ChatGPT's record mode needs a paid plan.

Which ones work on Windows?

ChadFlow, Granola, Jamie, Krisp, Notion, Bluedot, Otter, Fireflies, tl;dv and Fellow have Windows apps with bot-free recording. Anarlog's Windows build is in beta. Muesli, MacWhisper, ChatGPT's record mode and Fathom's bot-free capture are Mac only.

Method: Checked October 6, 2026 against each vendor's own pricing, product, help and privacy pages, linked above. Notion and tl;dv show prices in local currency outside the United States; the figures here are their US list prices. Accuracy claims were not tested. Vendors change plans often, so check the vendor's page before you buy.