Bubbles vs Fathom: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Bubbles 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 is our free AI Assistants pick. ChatGPT is our overall pick. Pick Bubbles if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bubbles
AI meeting notetaker and screen recorder that turns every meeting into action and enables async collaboration.
Best for you if:
- • You want allows users to stay present during meetings by automating note-taking
- • You want reduces the need for follow-up calls and unnecessary meetings through async communication
Fathom
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Bubbles requires payment)
- • You want meeting transcription
- • You want aI summaries
| At a Glance | Bubbles | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Bubbles or Fathom?
Choose Bubbles if
AI meeting notetaker and screen recorder that turns every meeting into action and enables async collaboration.
- You want allows users to stay present during meetings by automating note-taking
- You want reduces the need for follow-up calls and unnecessary meetings through async communication
Choose Fathom if
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
- You want a fully free tool (Bubbles requires payment)
- You want meeting transcription
- You want aI summaries
| Feature | Bubbles | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 336 reviews | ★4.9/5 7,187 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityAI Assistants | ProductivityTranscription |
In-Depth Analysis
Bubbles
AI meeting notetaker and screen recorder that turns every meeting into action and enables async collaboration.
Bubbles' pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for basic needs.
Strengths
- +Allows users to stay present during meetings by automating note-taking.
- +Reduces the need for follow-up calls and unnecessary meetings through async communication.
- +Facilitates efficient feedback and project check-ins asynchronously.
- +Easy collaboration with external parties without requiring them to join internal systems.
- +Provides immediate actionable insights from meetings.
Weaknesses
- -Free plan has limitations on recording length, number of recordings, and feature access.
- -AI transcription and summary quality may vary depending on audio clarity and accents.
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
- +Meeting transcription
- +AI summaries
- +Free tier generous
- +Privacy focused
- +Good accuracy
Weaknesses
- -Limited integrations
- -Newer platform
- -Enterprise features limited
- -Storage limits
- -Competition from others
Key features
Pricing: Bubbles vs Fathom
| Plan | Bubbles | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Basic | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $12/member /mo (yearly) Pro Teams | 20 Premium |
| Tier 3 | $18/member /mo (yearly) Pro Personal | 18 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | 28 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Bubbles pricing and Fathom pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Fathom is free. Bubbles is freemium.
Go with: Fathom
Want the highest-rated option?
Bubbles: 4.5/5 (336 reviews). Fathom: 4.9/5 (7,187 reviews).
Go with: Fathom
Value user reviews?
Bubbles: 336 reviews (4.5/5). Fathom: 7,187 reviews (4.9/5).
Go with: Fathom
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Bubbles is freemium. Fathom is free. Go with Fathom if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are productivity tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Fathom is rated higher: 4.9/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
Fathom
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.5/5
- Larger review base (7,187 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Bubbles
- Choose if you want aI meeting notetaker and screen recorder that turns every meeting into action and enables async collaboration
The Bottom Line
Fathom is our free AI Assistants pick. ChatGPT is our overall pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bubbles or Fathom better?
Fathom is rated in our evaluation. Bubbles is freemium and Fathom is free.
What are Bubbles and Fathom used for?
Bubbles: AI meeting notetaker and screen recorder that turns every meeting into action and enables async collaboration.. Fathom: AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation..
What does Bubbles cost vs Fathom?
Bubbles is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Fathom is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.