Ellis vs Fathom: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Ellis 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 Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Ellis if you need note-taking.
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:
Ellis
Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically
Best for you if:
- • You want frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking
Fathom
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Ellis requires payment)
| At a Glance | Ellis | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Note-Taking Transcription | Productivity Transcription |
Rating | 5.0/5 G2 5.0 6 reviews | 4.9/5 G2 5.0 · Trustpilot 4.8 7,187 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Team tier requires 2+ users minimum. |
Choose Ellis or Fathom?
Choose Ellis if
- You want frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking
- You want organizes meeting notes into actionable formats
- You work in note-taking, not productivity
Choose Fathom if
- You want a fully free tool (Ellis requires payment)
- You want meeting transcription
- You want AI summaries
- You work in productivity, not note-taking
In-Depth Analysis
Ellis
Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically
Strengths
- Pro: Frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking
- Pro: Organizes meeting notes into actionable formats
- Pro: Works seamlessly for in-person settings
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies on clear audio quality for accurate transcription
- Con: Limited to meetings within the product's supported environment
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: Ellis vs Fathom
| Plan | Ellis | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 20 Premium |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 18 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | 28 Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Ellis pricing and Fathom pricing.
Key Takeaways
Fathom
- Larger review base (7,187 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Ellis
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Fathom wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellis or Fathom better in 2026?
Fathom wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Ellis for note-taking workflows (main strength: frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking). Pick Fathom for productivity workflows (main strength: meeting transcription).
What are Ellis and Fathom used for?
Ellis: Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically. Fathom: AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
What does Ellis cost vs Fathom?
Ellis pricing is on their site. Fathom is free.
What's the main difference between Ellis and Fathom?
Ellis's main strength: frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking. Fathom's main strength: meeting transcription.