Grain vs Otter.ai: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Grain and Otter.ai 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Grain
AI meeting notes and highlights
Best for you if:
- • You need video editing features specifically
- • Automatically records, transcribes, and generates AI notes for meetings.
- • Provides instant tasks, follow-ups, and CRM synchronization to boost productivity.
Otter.ai
AI meeting notes and transcription
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.1/10)
- • You need transcription features specifically
- • AI meeting assistant and transcription
- • Real-time transcription for meetings
| At a Glance |  Grain |  Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Video Editing | Transcription |
Rating | 81/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Grain | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 81 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Video EditingTranscription | TranscriptionNote-Taking |
How Grain and Otter.ai Compare
Grain
AI meeting notes and highlights
Free tier available · 81/100 score
Otter.ai
AI meeting notes and transcription
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Grain is a video editing tool. Otter.ai is in transcription.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Grain
Want the highest-rated option?
Grain: 81/100. Otter.ai: 84/100.
Go with: Otter.ai
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Otter.ai
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Grain is a video editing tool. Otter.ai is in transcription. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Otter.ai scores higher: 84/100 vs 81/100.
Key Takeaways
Otter.ai
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 81
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Grain
- Better fit for video editing
The Bottom Line
Otter.ai (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grain or Otter.ai better?
Otter.ai scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Grain and Otter.ai used for?
Grain: AI meeting notes and highlights. Otter.ai: AI meeting notes and transcription.
What does Grain cost vs Otter.ai?
Grain is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Otter.ai is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.