Our verdict
Being tested. An editor is using Fathom hands-on; the verdict and score appear here once they sign it off.
What it does
Fathom records your Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams calls and writes a transcript, summary and action items as soon as the call ends. You can share the notes, clip key moments and search your past calls.
Its free plan includes unlimited recording, which makes it an easy first notetaker. It can join as a visible bot or record from the desktop app without one.
Why use it
- The free plan includes unlimited recordings, transcripts and storage.
- The summary arrives the moment the call ends, ready to share.
- Record with a visible bot, or from the desktop app without one.
- Optional emails ask outside guests for consent before the meeting.
How it works
- Download the desktop app for Mac or Windows and connect your calendar.
- Choose whether Fathom joins as a bot or records from your computer.
- Turn on the consent email or the chat recording notice, and tell people at the start of the call.
- After the call, read the summary and action items, then share them or a clip.
How hard is it to use?
Beginner Easy to start. You need an account, not any technical know-how.
Install it, connect your calendar and it handles your next call, so we rate it Beginner. Team features and CRM sync take more setting up.
What it costs
Free plan; paid plans. A free plan with unlimited recording, transcripts and basic summaries; its fuller AI summaries are limited to a few calls a month. Paid plans lift that limit and add an assistant you can question about your calls, and team plans add shared search, CRM sync and coaching tools.
Prices change often, so check Fathom’s own site before you pay.
Watch out for
- If guests don’t reply to the consent email, Fathom still records, so ask everyone at the start of the call too.
- In bot-free mode no extra participant appears, so keep the chat recording notice on and tell people yourself.
- It doesn’t run on Chromebooks or Linux computers.
Your data
Fathom stores data in the US. It uses de-identified customer data to improve its own AI models unless you opt out in your settings (organisations can opt out for everyone), and its AI suppliers aren’t allowed to train on your data.
We haven’t confirmed that Fathom can keep your data in the UK, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.