Otter.ai and Riverside are both AI meeting assistants for recording, transcription, and summaries, compared here on pricing, features, and workflow fit. Otter.ai: AI meeting assistant that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings in real time with an auto-joining meeting agent. 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, so the right pick depends on team size, budget, and which meeting workflows you automate.
For ai-meeting-assistants workflows, shortlist Otter.ai when real-time meeting transcription 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.
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 video
AI-generated transcripts with automatic speaker detection and labeling
Caption and subtitle export in SRT and VTT formats
Otter.ai 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.
AI-generated transcripts with automatic speaker detection and labeling
Standout feature
OtterPilot auto-join agent
Transcription support across more than 100 languages
Team usage
AI summaries and action items
Caption and subtitle export in SRT and VTT formats
Integrations
Searchable meeting notes
Text-based editing that lets users cut and rearrange recordings by editing the transcript
Languages & capture
Live highlights and comments
Local high-quality recording of each participant's audio and video track
Best-fit workflow
Real-time transcription
AI clip generation for short-form social video
Best for
Otter.ai
Choose Otter.ai if you need real-time meeting transcription — strengths include fast, well-known real-time transcription.
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
Otter.ai
+ Fast, well-known real-time transcription
+ Auto-join agent reduces manual setup
- Advanced features and higher minute limits require paid plans
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 Otter.ai or Riverside better for AI meeting notes?
It depends on your workflow. Otter.ai is strong for real-time meeting transcription, while Riverside is strong for transcribing and captioning recorded podcast episodes and video interviews. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do Otter.ai and Riverside compare on price?
Otter.ai 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 Otter.ai and Riverside?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.