StenoteA Fireflies alternative without the bot.
Fireflies sends a notetaker bot into Zoom, Meet and Teams calls. Stenote records from your own computer instead, so there is no bot to explain.
Stenote is a good Fireflies alternative if you want notes without a bot in the call and do not need CRM sync or team analytics. Fireflies is the better choice for sales and support teams that need CRM sync, team analytics, a wide range of integrations or formal compliance documents such as SOC 2.
Your first hour is free. No card needed.
Stenote vs Fireflies at a glance
| Stenote | Fireflies | |
|---|---|---|
| How it records | From your own microphone and speakers. Nothing joins the call. | A notetaker bot joins Zoom, Meet and Teams. Its Chrome extension can record without the bot. |
| Visible to guests | No. Nothing appears in the participant list. | The bot appears as a participant. Pro and Business plans can buy an add-on to rename it. |
| Importing recordings | Yes. Upload a recording from your phone or a voice recorder. | Yes, on Pro and Business, with rate limits on bulk uploads. |
| Languages | English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Dutch, detected automatically. | 100+ languages, with many in beta, per its pricing page. |
| Integrations | Notion and Evernote export. | Zapier on Pro, plus higher API limits and team analytics on Business. |
| Compliance | Your audio is never used to train AI models, and you can delete it any time. | Lists SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliance on its site. |
| Price | $19.99 a month or $179 a year. One plan with everything. | Free, Pro, Business and Enterprise per-seat plans. See its pricing page for current prices. |
Source: Fireflies pricing, checked 20 October 2026. Plans change, so check the vendor’s own page before you decide.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Stenote if you…
- do not want a named bot in client or sensitive calls
- do not need CRM sync or team analytics
- want to keep the audio and replay the moment behind a note
- also record in person or on the phone
Pick Fireflies if you…
- need a bot that attends meetings without you
- sync calls to a CRM or want team analytics
- need SOC 2 documentation for procurement
- transcribe in many languages, even in beta
How Stenote works
Open a meeting
Join Zoom, Teams or Meet as usual. When the meeting app opens your microphone, Stenote asks whether to take notes. Nothing records until you say yes.
Talk
Stenote listens from your own Mac or PC. Nothing joins the call, and nobody has to admit a notetaker.
Get the notes
A summary, action items with owners, chapters, named speakers and a searchable transcript, with the audio kept alongside.
Frequently asked questions
Does Stenote join my meetings as a bot?
No. Stenote records from your own microphone and speakers on your Mac, PC or phone. Nothing appears in the participant list.
Can Fireflies work without a bot?
Yes. Fireflies offers a Chrome extension that records without the bot. Stenote has no bot mode at all, since it always records from your own device.
How much does Stenote cost compared with Fireflies?
Your first hour in Stenote is free. After that it is $19.99 a month or $179 a year for one plan with everything included. Fireflies has a free plan and per-seat paid plans, so check its pricing page for current prices.
Do I still need to tell people I am recording?
Yes. Not having a bot in the call does not change consent rules, which vary by country and state. Tell people you are taking notes. This is not legal advice.
Be in the meeting.
Download Stenote and let it take the notes. No bot, no admitting anyone.
Last checked October 20, 2026. · Stenote vs Otter · How bot-free note takers work