Short answer: An AI note taker records a call and writes the notes. Before you pay, ask 12 questions, record a 5-minute practice call, and try it on a few real calls for 7 days.
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1. Ask the maker: 12 questions
Send these to two or three makers. Ask for the answers in writing. They are neutral: they do not name any tool.
- What does it cost each month? What do I lose on the free plan, like minutes or saved history?
- Which meeting and phone tools does it work with?
- How does it join a call? Can the other people see it?
- How are people told they are being recorded?
- Where are the recordings and notes stored, and who can see them?
- Does it use my calls to train its AI? Can I say no?
- Can I delete a recording and its notes for good?
- How does it do with accents, phone calls and noisy rooms?
- Can I edit the notes and the to-do list?
- Can it send to-dos to my email, my task list, or my CRM?
- Can I export everything if I leave?
- Is there a contract? How do I cancel?
2. Record one 5-minute practice call
Get a friend on a call. Say names, numbers, dates and one to-do on purpose, then check the notes.
- Say 3 full names and 2 phone numbers. Did it spell them right?
- Say a date and a dollar amount. Are they right in the notes?
- Give one clear to-do. Did it show up in the to-do list?
- Both talk at once for 10 seconds. Does it keep the speakers straight?
- Call from a noisy place. How bad is the text?
- Delete the recording. Is it really gone from the notes too?
3. Your 7-day trial plan
- Day 1Write down how long you spend on notes after a call each week.
- Day 2Ask the questions. Check the storage and delete settings.
- Day 3Do the 5-minute practice call. Fix what you can.
- Day 4Tell people at the start of each call that you are recording.
- Day 5Use it on 2 or 3 real calls. Read the notes against what you remember.
- Day 6Note every mistake. Check that to-dos went where they should.
- Day 7Compare time spent to Day 1. Keep it, change it, or cancel.
4. Red flags: walk away if you see these
- It records without telling the people on the call.
- You cannot delete a recording.
- They claim the notes are always right.
- It uses your calls to train its AI and you cannot opt out.
- You cannot export your notes.
- They will not say where the recordings are stored.
Know the recording rule
Most states let one person on a call say yes to a recording. A smaller group of states needs everyone on the call to say yes. If your callers live in different states, the Justia survey says to follow the stricter rule. So ask the maker how the tool tells people it is recording, and say it out loud at the start. This is a starting point, not legal advice.
Sources: Justia: Recording phone calls and conversations, 50-state survey (last reviewed Sept 2024)
Tools in our directory for this job
These are the listings that match this job. We do not test every tool, and the order is not a ranking. Prices and hours come from each listing and its source.
- Hours not stated
Otter
AI meeting notes and transcripts.
Price: Pro $8.33/user/mo billed yearly ($16.99 monthly); Business costs more; a limited free plan (300 minutes/mo) is also listedSetup: EasySoftware or service
Source: otter.ai/pricing
- Hours not stated
Fathom
AI notetaker that records and sums up Zoom, Meet, and Teams calls.
Price: Team from $15/user/mo billed yearly ($19 monthly, 2-user minimum); Premium $16/mo billed yearly for one person; a limited free plan is also listedSetup: EasySoftware or service
Source: fathom.ai/pricing
- Hours not stated
Fireflies
AI meeting notes, transcripts, and search.
Price: Pro from $10/seat/mo billed yearly ($18 monthly); Business $19/seat/mo billed yearly; a limited free plan is also listedSetup: EasySoftware or service
Source: fireflies.ai/pricing
- Hours not stated
TurboScribe Call and Meeting Transcripts
Turns recorded calls, meetings, and voice memos into text with speaker labels.
Price: Free: 3 transcripts a day (30 min each). Unlimited $10/mo billed yearly or $20/mo monthly. Check siteSetup: EasySoftware or service
- Hours not stated
Plaud AI Note Taker
A wearable recorder that turns site walks, showings, and calls into summaries and to-do lists.
Price: Devices from $159 (NotePin S $179). Pro plan $8.33/mo billed yearly or $17.99 monthly. A free Starter plan has 300 transcription minutes a month. Check siteSetup: EasySoftware or service
Source: reddit.com
- Hours not stated
Zocks
AI meeting notes and follow-up for advisors.
Price: $67/user/mo billed yearlySetup: EasySoftware or service
Source: zocks.io/pricing
- 20–25hours a week across 4 advisorsMaker’s claim
Advisor Meeting Notes Bot
Takes client meeting notes, writes the follow-up email, and updates your CRM.
Price: From $100/advisor/moSetup: EasySoftware or service
Hours: 20 to 25 hours a week across 4 advisors (vendor claim)
- Hours not stated
Gong
Records sales calls and shows what works and what doesn't.
Price: Check siteSetup: Needs setupSoftware or service
Source: gong.io/pricing
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