Minutes and Sam (HeySam) are both AI meeting assistants for recording, transcription, and summaries, compared here on pricing, features, and workflow fit. Minutes: Open-source, local-first conversation memory layer that records and transcribes meetings, diarizes speakers, and stores searchable notes as markdown for AI agents. Sam (HeySam): Multi-agent AI sales copilot that joins calls, records and analyzes meetings, and assists sales engineers in Slack. They overlap on ai-meeting-assistants, so the right pick depends on team size, budget, and which meeting workflows you automate.
For ai-meeting-assistants workflows, shortlist Minutes when building a private, searchable memory of meetings and voice notes that ai agents can query matters most, and Sam (HeySam) when supporting reps with real-time technical answers during sales calls matters most. Both record across Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams; trial each on real meetings before committing.
Open-source, local-first conversation memory layer that records and transcribes meetings, diarizes speakers, and stores searchable notes as markdown for AI agents.
Cross-meeting search, relationship tracking, and action-item extractionLocal transcription with whisper.cpp or Parakeet, no cloud audio uploadmacOS desktop app plus cross-platform CLI and dictation hotkey mode
Multi-agent AI sales copilot that joins calls, records and analyzes meetings, and assists sales engineers in Slack.
AI RFP Copilot that completes RFPs in Google Sheets from call dataAI Sales Engineer that answers technical questions in real time on SlackCall summaries, video recaps, and CRM updates delivered to Slack
Minutes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Sam (HeySam) is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
Local transcription with whisper.cpp or Parakeet, no cloud audio upload
Joins and records calls on Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet
Standout feature
Speaker diarization to attribute who said what
AI Sales Engineer that answers technical questions in real time on Slack
Team usage
Plain-markdown output with YAML frontmatter stored on your own disk
Call summaries, video recaps, and CRM updates delivered to Slack
Integrations
MCP server exposing tools so AI agents can query meeting history
AI RFP Copilot that completes RFPs in Google Sheets from call data
Languages & capture
Cross-meeting search, relationship tracking, and action-item extraction
Sizzle Reel short video summaries for follow-ups
Best-fit workflow
macOS desktop app plus cross-platform CLI and dictation hotkey mode
Customer-facing Ask AI bot for documentation and communities
Best for
Minutes
Choose Minutes if you need building a private, searchable memory of meetings and voice notes that ai agents can query — strengths include fully local-first and mit licensed, keeping conversation data private and portable.
Sam (HeySam)
Choose Sam (HeySam) if you need supporting reps with real-time technical answers during sales calls — strengths include surfaces sales-engineering expertise on calls without a human se on every meeting.
Pros & cons
Minutes
+ Fully local-first and MIT licensed, keeping conversation data private and portable
+ Markdown-on-disk format syncs through existing cloud-drive tools and avoids lock-in
- Desktop app is macOS-only; Windows and Linux are limited to the CLI
Sam (HeySam)
+ Surfaces sales-engineering expertise on calls without a human SE on every meeting
+ Deep native Slack integration suits Slack-centric go-to-market teams
- Slack-centric workflow may not fit teams that do not standardize on Slack
FAQ
Is Minutes or Sam (HeySam) better for AI meeting notes?
It depends on your workflow. Minutes is strong for building a private, searchable memory of meetings and voice notes that ai agents can query, while Sam (HeySam) is strong for supporting reps with real-time technical answers during sales calls. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do Minutes and Sam (HeySam) compare on price?
Minutes is a free tier with paid upgrades and Sam (HeySam) 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 Minutes and Sam (HeySam)?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.