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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Ellis
Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically
Best for you if:
- • You need note-taking features specifically
- • Automatically captures and transcribes in-person meeting conversations
- • Generates structured notes with action items and key decisions
Fathom
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need productivity features specifically
- • Automatically transcribes, summarizes, and extracts action items from meetings.
- • Integrates with popular tools like Slack, Salesforce, and Notion for automatic syncing.
| At a Glance |  Ellis |  Fathom |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Productivity |
Rating | 5.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Ellis or Fathom?
Choose Ellis if
Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically
- Frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking
- Organizes meeting notes into actionable formats
- Works seamlessly for in-person settings
- Your work is note-taking-shaped, not productivity-shaped
Choose Fathom if
AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.
- Meeting transcription
- AI summaries
- Free tier generous
- You want a fully free tool (Ellis requires payment)
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not note-taking-shaped
| Feature | Ellis | Fathom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★5.0/5 6 reviews | ★5.0/5 7,006 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingTranscription | ProductivityTranscription |
In-Depth Analysis
Ellis
Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically
Strengths
- +Frees you to focus on conversation rather than note-taking
- +Organizes meeting notes into actionable formats
- +Works seamlessly for in-person settings
Weaknesses
- -Relies on clear audio quality for accurate transcription
- -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.
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: 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.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Fathom is free. Ellis is freemium.
Go with: Fathom
Want the highest-rated option?
Ellis: 5.0/5 (6 reviews). Fathom: 5.0/5 (7,006 reviews).
Go with: Ellis
Value user reviews?
Ellis: 6 reviews (5.0/5). Fathom: 7,006 reviews (5.0/5).
Go with: Fathom
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Ellis is freemium. Fathom is free. Go with Fathom if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Ellis is a note-taking tool. Fathom is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 5.0/5.
Key Takeaways
Fathom
- Larger review base (7,006 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Ellis
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Fathom is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellis or Fathom better?
Fathom is rated in our evaluation. Ellis is freemium and Fathom is free.
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 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Fathom is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.