# Otter.ai vs Riff

> Otter.ai: Record, transcribe and summarize meetings, with action items and searchable AI chat
> Riff: Draft fresh replies, DMs and posts for X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram on-device

- Otter.ai profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/otter-ai
- Riff profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/riff
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/otter-ai-vs-riff
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Otter.ai is listed under Audio & Speech AI and Riff under Productivity. Otter.ai scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.4 vs 7.8 out of 10), led by ease of use. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Otter.ai is available on Web, Windows and macOS and offers an API.

### Choose Otter.ai if

- You want a tool built for meeting transcription and summaries.
- Permanent free plan with 300 monthly transcription minutes.
- Works through a notetaker bot or bot-free via desktop apps and Chrome extension.

### Choose Riff if

- You want a tool built for writing quick replies and comments on social posts.
- Free, with no account, subscription or API key.
- Generation runs on-device with Gemini Nano, so text is not sent to a server.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | Otter.ai | Riff |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Live transcription | Yes | Not listed |
| Notetaker bot | Yes | Not listed |
| Bot-free recording | Yes | Not listed |
| AI summaries and action items | Yes | Not listed |
| Otter AI Chat | Yes | Not listed |
| Channels | Yes | Not listed |
| File import | Yes | Not listed |
| CRM sync | Yes | Not listed |
| Otter MCP server | Yes | Not listed |
| On-device AI | Not listed | Yes |
| Replies and comments | Not listed | Yes |
| DM replies and first messages | Not listed | Yes |
| Riff a post | Not listed | Yes |
| Dials | Not listed | Yes |
| Repurposing | Not listed | Yes |
| Voices and presets | Not listed | Yes |
| Never sends for you | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

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

## Otter.ai strengths

- Permanent free plan with 300 monthly transcription minutes
- Works through a notetaker bot or bot-free via desktop apps and Chrome extension
- Summaries, action items and AI Chat across past meetings
- Apps for web, iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, rated 4.8 on the App Store from 86K ratings
- Integrations with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Slack and CRMs such as Salesforce and HubSpot

## Otter.ai limitations

- Free plan caps conversations at 30 minutes and file imports at 3 lifetime
- Pro caps monthly transcription at 1,200 minutes and meetings at 90 minutes
- Business costs $30 per user per month on monthly billing
- API access, SSO and HIPAA add-on require the Enterprise plan
- Transcription is limited to six listed languages

## Riff strengths

- Free, with no account, subscription or API key
- Generation runs on-device with Gemini Nano, so text is not sent to a server
- Covers replies, DMs, posts and X threads in one side panel
- Never presses send, which keeps the user in control
- Dials for tone, pitch and length, plus a Fresh score to avoid repetitive openings

## Riff limitations

- Requires desktop Chrome 138 or newer and a one-time Gemini Nano download
- Output quality is limited by the small on-device model
- Chrome only; no Firefox, Safari or mobile support
- Very new, with few reviews on the Chrome Web Store

## FAQ

**Is Otter.ai better than Riff?**

It depends on your workflow. Otter.ai is built for meeting transcription and summaries. Riff is built for writing quick replies and comments on social posts.

**What are the key feature differences between Otter.ai and Riff?**

Otter.ai: Record, transcribe and summarize meetings, with action items and searchable AI chat. Riff: Draft fresh replies, DMs and posts for X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram on-device.

**Does Otter.ai or Riff have a free plan?**

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

**Which is cheaper, Otter.ai or Riff?**

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