Granola AI vs Fireflies AI
Granola and Fireflies both promise better meeting notes — but they couldn't be more different in how they work. Here's the full comparison.
Try a Free Alternative →Quick Verdict
Granola AI and Fireflies AI are both meeting notetakers, but they serve very different needs. Granola (launched 2024, $18/mo) is a Mac-only desktop app that captures system audio without a bot. You take notes during the meeting; Granola enhances them with AI. It's privacy-first — no bot notification to other participants — but requires Mac and personal note-taking. Fireflies AI is a bot-based notetaker that has been around longer and works on all platforms. Its free tier is available (limited by storage), and the Pro plan at $10/month makes it one of the most affordable fully-automated meeting notetakers. Fireflies integrates with 40+ tools including Slack, Notion, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zapier, and supports Webex in addition to Zoom, Meet, and Teams. For individual Mac users who value privacy and prefer note enhancement, Granola is excellent. For Windows users, teams needing integrations, or anyone wanting a cheaper fully-automated transcript, Fireflies wins. Neither handles social video — TranscribeVideo.ai fills that gap with URL-based transcription for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Granola AI | Fireflies AI | TranscribeVideo.ai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free trial only | Free (limited storage) | 2 videos/day |
| Paid price | $18/mo | $10/mo | $10/mo |
| Platform | Mac only | All (web) | All (web) |
| Bot joins meeting | No | Yes | N/A — URL-based |
| Supported platforms | Any (system audio, Mac) | Zoom, Meet, Teams, Webex | YouTube, TikTok, Instagram |
| AI summary | Yes (note enhancement) | Yes (full auto-summary) | Yes |
| CRM integration | No | Salesforce, HubSpot, more | No |
| Social video transcription | No | No | Yes |
How It Works
- 1.Granola AI — Mac desktop app that captures system audio silently. You type your own notes; Granola's AI enhances structure, fills gaps, and surfaces key points. No bot, no participant notifications. $18/mo. Mac-only — no Windows, no mobile app.
- 2.Fireflies AI — Bot joins your meeting on Zoom, Meet, Teams, or Webex. Fully automatic transcript, no note-taking required. Free tier available with limited storage. Pro plan at $10/mo unlocks unlimited storage, advanced search, and integrations with Slack, Notion, Salesforce, HubSpot, and 40+ other tools.
- 3.Key difference — Granola costs $18/mo and is Mac-only with no bot. Fireflies Pro costs $10/mo, works on all platforms, adds a bot, and integrates with your entire stack. If price and integrations matter, Fireflies wins. If you're on Mac and hate bots, Granola is the better choice.
- 4.TranscribeVideo.ai — For recorded social video, paste any YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram URL. Full transcript in seconds, 25+ languages, free for the first two videos. No meeting, no bot, no download.
Why Use This Tool?
- ✓Works on all platforms — not Mac-only
- ✓No notes required — full transcript generated automatically from any URL
- ✓Same price as Fireflies Pro ($10/mo) for social video transcription
- ✓Free for your first two YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram videos
- ✓No desktop app installation or calendar integration needed
Use Cases
- —Mac users comparing Granola vs Fireflies and weighing privacy vs integrations
- —Windows users who need a Granola-style private notetaker but cannot use Mac-only software
- —Sales and marketing teams evaluating Fireflies' CRM integrations vs Granola's simplicity
- —Content creators who need both meeting notes and social video transcription
- —Teams deciding whether to invest in a meeting bot or a note-enhancement workflow
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Granola AI better than Fireflies?
For Mac users who value privacy and a no-bot workflow, Granola is better. For Windows users, teams needing integrations, or anyone wanting a cheaper fully-automated transcript, Fireflies ($10/mo) is the stronger choice.
Why is Fireflies cheaper than Granola?
Fireflies Pro is $10/month vs Granola's $18/month. Granola's higher price reflects its more sophisticated note-enhancement approach and Mac-only engineering. Fireflies is a more straightforward bot-based transcription service.
Can Granola or Fireflies transcribe TikTok videos?
No. Both are meeting-focused tools. Neither can process a TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram URL. TranscribeVideo.ai handles URL-based social video transcription — free for the first two videos.
Does Granola AI work on Windows?
No. Granola is Mac-only. Windows users looking for a bot-free meeting notetaker don't currently have a Granola equivalent. The closest alternatives on Windows are Fathom AI (unlimited free, browser-based) or Fireflies AI (cross-platform, $10/mo Pro).
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