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AI · head to head

Fathom vs Grain

Fathom logo

Fathom

AI

Free AI meeting assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Grain logo

Grain

Remote Work

AI meeting highlights and clips

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Fathom team plan requires minimum 2 users; cannot purchase single seat at team pricing; Grain no concurrent recording - only one meeting per account at a time
  • They diverge on capability: Fathom covers AI summaries, Grain covers AI highlights.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fathom and Grain actually diverge.

Attributes where Fathom and Grain differ
AttributeFathomGrain
PlatformsWeb, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft TeamsWeb, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio Capture
CategoryAIRemote Work
Founded20202018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Fathom

  • AI summaries
  • Highlight clips
  • HubSpot
  • Salesforce
  • Desktop support

Only in Grain

  • AI highlights
  • Video clips
  • Notion
  • Slack
  • Browser-extension support

Both cover

  • Auto-recording
  • Transcription
  • Zoom
  • Google Meet
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fathom

  • AI-powered meeting transcription and automatic note-taking for sales teams and professionalsnot Grain
  • Meeting analysis with AI scorecards and action item generation that syncs to CRMsnot Grain

Grain

  • ai tools managementnot Fathom
  • Workflow automationnot Fathom
  • Reportingnot Fathom

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fathom

  • Team plan requires minimum 2 users; cannot purchase single seat at team pricing
  • CRM field sync and deal view summaries available only on Business plan ($34/user/month) and above

Grain

  • No concurrent recording - only one meeting per account at a time
  • No automatic slide capture for presentations
  • Limited video demo context - audio-focused with poor video file support
  • Cannot record in-person meetings
  • No native mobile app
  • Limited admin controls for company-wide automatic recording
  • Free plan limited to 20 recordings if using personal email
  • No automatic file uploads on free tier
  • Lacks advanced sales analytics features of enterprise competitors
  • Limited CRM integration compared to higher-end platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

Fathom

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Fathom review.

Grain

Free
  • Free ForeverFree
    • Unlimited meetings up to 45 minutes each
    • AI transcription and notes
    • 90-day history
  • Starter$15/month
    • Unlimited meeting length
    • Unlimited AI highlights
    • Video clip creation
  • Business$33/month
    • All Starter features
    • Advanced team coaching
    • Deeper analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Fathom if

  • You need ai summaries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
  • You also want highlight clips.
Fathom review

Choose Grain if

  • You need ai highlights.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio Capture.
  • You also want video clips.
Grain review

Questions people ask

Is Fathom or Grain better?
Neither clearly leads. Fathom starts at Free and Grain at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fathom or Grain?
Fathom starts at Free and Grain at Free.
Does Fathom or Grain run on more platforms?
Fathom runs on Web, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams. Grain runs on Web, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio Capture.
Can I use Fathom for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Fathom best used for?
Fathom is most often used for ai-powered meeting transcription and automatic note-taking for sales teams and professionals, meeting analysis with ai scorecards and action item generation that syncs to crms. Of those, ai-powered meeting transcription and automatic note-taking for sales teams and professionals and meeting analysis with ai scorecards and action item generation that syncs to crms are not what Grain is typically brought in for.
What can Fathom do that Grain cannot?
Fathom covers AI summaries, Highlight clips, HubSpot, Salesforce. Grain covers AI highlights, Video clips, Notion, Slack. Both handle Auto-recording, Transcription, Zoom, Google Meet.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Fathom: What is the most affordable paid plan for individuals, and what does it include?

Fathom Premium costs $20 per month (or $16 per month billed annually). It includes advanced summaries, action items, and a conversational AI assistant, in addition to the features in the free plan.

Source
Grain: Is Grain free?

Grain offers a Free Forever plan with unlimited meetings up to 45 minutes each and 90-day history. Paid plans start at $15/month per user for unlimited meeting length and advanced AI features.

Source
Fathom: What is included in Fathom's free plan?

The free plan includes unlimited recordings, transcriptions, AI summaries, clips, and playlists at no cost forever.

Source
Grain: Does Grain require a bot in meetings?

No. Grain uses bot-less transcription to capture meeting audio without requiring a bot participant, though video recording requires bot participation if you want recording visible.

Source
Fathom: How much does the Team plan cost per user, and what features does it add?

The Team plan costs $19 per month per user (minimum 2 users, or $15 per month annually). It includes everything from Premium plus global search, collaboration features, and team playlists.

Source
Grain: What platforms does Grain work with?

Grain integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and supports desktop audio capture. It exports to Claude, ChatGPT, Slack, and CRM platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce.

Source
Fathom: What trial or guarantee is available before committing to a paid plan?

All paid plans offer a 90-day guarantee to test features risk-free.

Source
Grain: Can Grain record multiple meetings at once?

No. Grain does not support concurrent meeting recordings, meaning only one meeting per account can be recorded at a time.

Source
Fathom: Does Fathom offer free or discounted plans for startups or nonprofits?

Yes, qualified portfolio companies get up to 2 years free, and nonprofits can apply for 10 free seats.

Source
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