Fathom vs Tactiq
Both scored against the same 13 criteria, from the same hands-on testing. Here is where each one actually wins.
Last updated August 2026 · 28 tools ranked
Fathom rates higher overall, 3.9 out of 5 against Tactiq's 3.3, across our 13 weighted criteria. Fathom leads on platform support, transcription accuracy, data retention & training transparency. Tactiq still wins on price alone.
Fathom
#2 of 28Free AI meeting assistant with instant summaries
- Pricing
- Free tier available; paid from $16/mo
- Platforms
- Web, macOS, Windows
Tactiq
#26 of 28Real-time transcription for Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
- Pricing
- Free tier available; paid from $12/mo
- Platforms
- Chrome extension
All 13 Criteria, Side by Side
| Criterion | Weight | Fathom | Tactiq | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy & Data Security | High | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Transcription Accuracy | High | 5 | 4 | Fathom |
| AI Analysis Quality | High | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Recording Consent & Compliance | Med | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Data Retention & Training Transparency | Med | 4 | 3 | Fathom |
| Real-Time / Live Capability | Med | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Recording Method | Med | 4 | 3 | Fathom |
| Ease of Use | Med | 5 | 4 | Fathom |
| Platform Support | Med | 4 | 2 | Fathom |
| Offline Capability | Med | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Integration Ecosystem | Med | 5 | 4 | Fathom |
| Knowledge Connection | Low | 5 | 4 | Fathom |
| Pricing & Value | Low | 4 | 3 | Fathom |
| Overall (weighted) | 3.9 | 3.3 | Fathom |
Overall is a weighted average, not a mean: high-weight criteria count triple and low-weight criteria count once. See the formula.
Choose Fathom if…
- → Platform Support matters to you. Fathom scores 4/5 here against 2/5.
The best free option for individuals who want simple, no-fuss meeting notes, now backed by a transparent paid ladder and a real-time desktop app.
Choose Tactiq if…
Tactiq does not lead on any individual criterion in this pairing. It can still be the right call if you are already committed to its ecosystem, but on the merits the other tool is ahead across the board.
A lightweight, affordable transcription extension for Chrome-based meetings that has grown an automation layer, though serious AI usage now lives behind its higher tiers.
Fathom at a glance
Strengths
- +Genuinely generous free tier
- +Very easy to use
- +Clean summaries
- +Bot-free capture and real-time summaries
Limitations
- −Cloud processing required
- −Advanced summaries capped at 5 calls/month on free plan
- −No mobile app yet (iOS announced, not shipped)
- −No offline mode
Tactiq at a glance
Strengths
- +Simple Chrome extension, no bot, no install beyond the browser
- +Good real-time transcription captured live in a side panel
- +Free plan now includes AI summaries, Ask Tactiq, and action items
- +AI Workflow Builder routes meeting insights to Slack, HubSpot, Linear, and more
Limitations
- −Chrome only — no desktop, mobile, or other browser support
- −Pro plan caps AI usage at 10 credits/month; unlimited AI needs Team
- −No offline capability
- −Depends on platform-generated captions rather than its own audio engine