Cluely vs Rylo
Which Transcription AI tool is better in 2026?
Cluely
AI desktop overlay that listens, sees the screen, and whispers answers in real time.
Rylo
Real-time AI captioning and text-to-speech for deaf and hard-of-hearing users
Side-by-side
Rylo is the more established option (raised $100M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Cluely | Rylo |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI desktop overlay that listens, sees the screen, and whispers answers in real time. | Real-time AI captioning and text-to-speech for deaf and hard-of-hearing users |
| Foundedi | 2025🏆 | — |
| HQi | New York, US | New York, United States |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 61🏆 | 41 |
| Total fundingi | $20.3M | $100M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Jun 2025 | Venture · Jun 2026 |
| Valuationi | $120M🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Pricing not listed | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cluely and Rylo.
| Capability | Cluely | Rylo |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cluely
- Higher Neuron score (61 vs 41)
- Newer company (2025)
🔵 Strengths of Rylo
- Has raised more capital ($100M vs $20.3M)
- Offers a free plan
Which should you choose?
Choose Rylo if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Transcription tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Rylo if you want the most established option — it has raised $100M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Cluely vs Rylo — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cluely is the leaner option; Rylo has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cluely cheaper than Rylo?
No — Rylo's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Cluely's is Pricing not listed.
Do Cluely and Rylo offer free plans?
Cluely: Paid only. Rylo: Yes, has a free plan.
Explore more AI Transcription tools
Contextual paths to related AI startups, deals and rankings.