Kai for Chrome and Riverside are both AI meeting assistants for recording, transcription, and summaries, compared here on pricing, features, and workflow fit. Kai for Chrome: A Chrome extension that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely on-device in the browser, with no bot, no account, and no upload. Riverside: Browser-based podcast and video recording studio with AI transcription, captions, and text-based editing that also handles interviews and remote meetings. They overlap on ai-meeting-assistants, ai-transcription, so the right pick depends on team size, budget, and which meeting workflows you automate.
For ai-meeting-assistants, ai-transcription workflows, shortlist Kai for Chrome when privately transcribing google meet, zoom web, or teams calls inside chrome matters most, and Riverside when transcribing and captioning recorded podcast episodes and video interviews matters most. Both record across Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams; trial each on real meetings before committing.
A Chrome extension that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely on-device in the browser, with no bot, no account, and no upload.
Bot-free capture from Google Meet, Zoom web, Teams, and any Chrome audio tabFully on-device transcription in the browser via Whisper on WebGPU or WebAssemblyKeyboard-shortcut recording with a live transcript side panel
Browser-based podcast and video recording studio with AI transcription, captions, and text-based editing that also handles interviews and remote meetings.
AI clip generation for short-form social videoAI-generated transcripts with automatic speaker detection and labelingCaption and subtitle export in SRT and VTT formats
Kai for Chrome is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Riverside is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
Fully on-device transcription in the browser via Whisper on WebGPU or WebAssembly
AI-generated transcripts with automatic speaker detection and labeling
Standout feature
Bot-free capture from Google Meet, Zoom web, Teams, and any Chrome audio tab
Transcription support across more than 100 languages
Team usage
No account or sign-up required to start transcribing
Caption and subtitle export in SRT and VTT formats
Integrations
Keyboard-shortcut recording with a live transcript side panel
Text-based editing that lets users cut and rearrange recordings by editing the transcript
Languages & capture
Local summaries with decisions, topics, and assigned action items
Local high-quality recording of each participant's audio and video track
Best-fit workflow
One-click optional email sharing of finished notes
AI clip generation for short-form social video
Best for
Kai for Chrome
Choose Kai for Chrome if you need privately transcribing google meet, zoom web, or teams calls inside chrome — strengths include audio and transcription stay on-device for strong privacy.
Riverside
Choose Riverside if you need transcribing and captioning recorded podcast episodes and video interviews — strengths include records each participant locally, producing cleaner audio and video than typical call recording.
Pros & cons
Kai for Chrome
+ Audio and transcription stay on-device for strong privacy
+ No bot joins the call and no account is needed to get started
- Requires a recent version of Chrome and works only within the browser
Riverside
+ Records each participant locally, producing cleaner audio and video than typical call recording
+ Combines recording, transcription, captions, and editing in a single browser-based tool
- Designed around recorded sessions rather than live meeting note-taking in tools like Zoom or Teams
FAQ
Is Kai for Chrome or Riverside better for AI meeting notes?
It depends on your workflow. Kai for Chrome is strong for privately transcribing google meet, zoom web, or teams calls inside chrome, while Riverside is strong for transcribing and captioning recorded podcast episodes and video interviews. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do Kai for Chrome and Riverside compare on price?
Kai for Chrome is a free tier with paid upgrades and Riverside is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Can I use both Kai for Chrome and Riverside?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.