# Descript vs Fireflies.ai

> Descript: Edit video and podcasts by editing their transcript, with AI audio cleanup and clips
> Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform

- Descript profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/descript
- Fireflies.ai profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/fireflies
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/descript-vs-fireflies
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Descript is listed under Video AI and Fireflies.ai under Audio & Speech AI. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Descript is available on Windows and macOS. Only Fireflies.ai is available on iOS, Android and Chrome Extension.

### Choose Descript if

- You want a tool built for podcast editing.
- Editing by transcript makes cutting speech content faster than a timeline alone.
- Studio Sound, filler word removal and retake removal are built in.

### Choose Fireflies.ai if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms.
- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.

## Pricing

| | Descript | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Descript | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Text-based editing | Yes | Not listed |
| Underlord | Yes | Not listed |
| Studio Sound | Yes | Not listed |
| Filler word and retake removal | Yes | Not listed |
| AI speech and voice clones | Yes | Not listed |
| Create clips | Yes | Not listed |
| Recording | Yes | Not listed |
| Translation and dubbing | Yes | Not listed |
| Generation tools | Yes | Not listed |
| API and MCP | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Notetaker Bot | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Summaries and Action Items | Not listed | Yes |
| AskFred Assistant | Not listed | Yes |
| Multilingual Transcription | Not listed | Yes |
| Conversation Intelligence | Not listed | Yes |
| Search and Soundbites | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Skills and Apps | Not listed | Yes |
| Integrations and MCP Server | Not listed | Yes |
| Chrome Extension and Uploads | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Descript | Fireflies.ai |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Chrome Extension | No | Yes |

## Descript strengths

- Editing by transcript makes cutting speech content faster than a timeline alone
- Studio Sound, filler word removal and retake removal are built in
- Includes recording, transcription, captions and clip creation in one app
- Free plan available with no credit card required
- API and MCP server allow automated editing
- SOC 2 Type II and SSO or SCIM on Enterprise

## Descript limitations

- Free plan exports 720p with a watermark and allows only 1 media hour per month
- Paid prices are $24 to $65 per month on monthly billing, with annual billing needed for the lowest rates
- Media hours and AI credits are capped, with top-ups only on Creator and above
- Desktop app needs macOS 14 or Windows 11 and there is no listed mobile app

## Fireflies.ai strengths

- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.
- Broad integrations covering CRM, ATS, dialers, Slack and an MCP server.
- Conversation analytics and team insights on the Business plan.
- Web, iOS, Android and Chrome extension coverage plus a desktop app with a public API.

## Fireflies.ai limitations

- Free plan limits AI summaries and caps storage at 400 minutes per team.
- Per-seat pricing rises quickly for teams: Business is $29 per seat on monthly billing.
- AI credit pools are small (20 to 50 per plan), and some features consume credits.
- HIPAA compliance, SSO and audit logs require the sales-led Enterprise plan.

## FAQ

**Is Descript better than Fireflies.ai?**

It depends on your workflow. Descript is built for podcast editing. Fireflies.ai is built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms.

**What are the key feature differences between Descript and Fireflies.ai?**

Descript: Edit video and podcasts by editing their transcript, with AI audio cleanup and clips. Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform. Descript is rated 4.0/5 from 1 user review.

**Does Descript or Fireflies.ai have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Descript is freemium and Fireflies.ai is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Descript or Fireflies.ai?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.