Ask Fellow vs Fathom: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Ask Fellow and Fathom comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Fathom wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Transcription list. Granola is the highest-listed Transcription tool with a free plan. Pick Ask Fellow if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Ask Fellow
Secure AI meeting assistant to record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting with privacy in mind.
Best for you if:
- • You want strong emphasis on privacy and security (AI not trained on user data, granular controls)
Fathom
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Ask Fellow requires payment)
| At a Glance | Ask Fellow | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Productivity Transcription | Productivity Transcription |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 2,240 reviews | 4.9/5 G2 5.0 · Trustpilot 4.8 7,187 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Enterprise tier starts at 10 users | Team tier requires 2+ users minimum. |
Choose Ask Fellow or Fathom?
Choose Ask Fellow if
- You want strong emphasis on privacy and security (AI not trained on user data, granular controls)
- You want comprehensive AI capabilities for transcription, summarization, and insights
Choose Fathom if
- You want a fully free tool (Ask Fellow requires payment)
- You want meeting transcription
- You want AI summaries
In-Depth Analysis
Ask Fellow
Secure AI meeting assistant to record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting with privacy in mind.
Ask Fellow's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust Free tier offering 5 lifetime AI notes and recordings.
Watch out
Enterprise tier starts at 10 users
Strengths
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy and security (AI not trained on user data, granular controls)
- Pro: Comprehensive AI capabilities for transcription, summarization, and insights
- Pro: Automates post-meeting tasks like CRM updates and email follow-ups
- Pro: Centralized repository for all meeting recordings and notes
- Pro: Integrates with major meeting platforms and productivity tools
Weaknesses
- Con: Free tier has limited AI notes and recordings (5 lifetime per user)
- Con: Advanced features like unlimited recordings and CRM integration are in higher-paid tiers
- Con: Enterprise features like advanced recording permissions and domain control require the highest plan
Key features
Fathom
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
Fathom's pricing is very generous, especially with its robust Free tier offering unlimited recordings and transcription.
Watch out
Team tier requires 2+ users minimum.
Strengths
- Pro: Meeting transcription
- Pro: AI summaries
- Pro: Free tier generous
- Pro: Privacy focused
- Pro: Good accuracy
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited integrations
- Con: Newer platform
- Con: Enterprise features limited
- Con: Storage limits
- Con: Competition from others
Key features
Pricing: Ask Fellow vs Fathom
| Plan | Ask Fellow | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 per user / month billed annually Free | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $7 per user / month billed annually Team | 20 Premium |
| Tier 3 | $15 per user / month billed annually Business | 18 Team |
| Tier 4 | $25 per user / month billed annually Enterprise | 28 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Ask Fellow pricing and Fathom pricing.
Key Takeaways
Fathom
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.7/5
- Larger review base (7,187 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Ask Fellow
- Choose if you want secure AI meeting assistant to record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting with privacy in mind
The Bottom Line
Fathom wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Transcription list. Granola is the highest-listed Transcription tool with a free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ask Fellow or Fathom better in 2026?
Fathom wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Transcription list. Granola is the highest-listed Transcription tool with a free plan. Pick Ask Fellow for productivity workflows (main strength: strong emphasis on privacy and security (AI not trained on user data, granular controls)). Pick Fathom for productivity workflows (main strength: meeting transcription).
What are Ask Fellow and Fathom used for?
Ask Fellow: Secure AI meeting assistant to record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting with privacy in mind. Fathom: AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
What does Ask Fellow cost vs Fathom?
Ask Fellow's paid plans start at Free (Team). Fathom is free.
What's the main difference between Ask Fellow and Fathom?
Ask Fellow's main strength: strong emphasis on privacy and security (AI not trained on user data, granular controls). Fathom's main strength: meeting transcription.