Fathom vs Ellis: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Fathom and Ellis 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:
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.
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
| At a Glance |  Fathom |  Ellis |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Productivity | Note-Taking |
Rating | 5.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Fathom or Ellis?
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
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
| Feature | Fathom | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★5.0/5 7,006 reviews | ★5.0/5 6 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityTranscription | Note-TakingTranscription |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Fathom vs Ellis
| Plan | Fathom | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | N/A |
| Tier 2 | 20 Premium | N/A |
| Tier 3 | 18 Team | N/A |
| Tier 4 | 28 Business | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Fathom pricing and Ellis pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Fathom is free. Ellis is freemium.
Go with: Fathom
Want the highest-rated option?
Fathom: 5.0/5 (7,006 reviews). Ellis: 5.0/5 (6 reviews).
Go with: Fathom
Value user reviews?
Fathom: 7,006 reviews (5.0/5). Ellis: 6 reviews (5.0/5).
Go with: Fathom
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Fathom is free. Ellis is freemium. Go with Fathom if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Fathom is a productivity tool. Ellis is in note-taking. 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 Fathom or Ellis better?
Fathom is rated in our evaluation. Fathom is free and Ellis is freemium.
What are Fathom and Ellis used for?
Fathom: AI notetaker that summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation.. Ellis: Capture, transcribe, and summarize in-person meetings automatically.
What does Fathom cost vs Ellis?
Fathom is completely free. Ellis is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.