Fireflies.ai vs Plaud AI
Which Note-taking AI tool is better in 2026?
Fireflies.ai
AI meeting assistant
Plaud AI
AI voice recorder devices for hands-free note-taking
Side-by-side
| Fireflies.ai | Plaud AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | AI meeting assistant | AI voice recorder devices for hands-free note-taking |
| Founded | 2016 | 2021 |
| HQ | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employees | 51-100 | 201-500 |
| Total funding | $19M | $5M |
| Latest round | Series A · Jan 2022 | Convertible Note · Apr 2025 |
| Valuation | $1B | — |
| Cheapest paid plan | Pro · $10/mo | From $159/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · $39/mo | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summary | 4 published plans | Free trial · From $159/mo |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Fireflies.ai and Plaud AI.
| Capability | Fireflies.ai | Plaud AI |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (JavaScript, Python, Java) | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Fireflies.ai
- Has raised more capital ($19M vs $5M)
- Offers a free plan
- Lower starting price ($10/mo)
- More mature (2016)
🔵 Strengths of Plaud AI
- Higher Neuron score (86 vs 40)
- Offers a free trial
- Newer company (2021)
Which should you choose?
Choose Fireflies.ai if price matters most — it starts at Free · From $10/mo, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Note-taking tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Fireflies.ai if you want the most established option — it has raised $19M, 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
Fireflies.ai vs Plaud AI — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Fireflies.ai has raised more capital and is the more established option; Plaud AI has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Fireflies.ai cheaper than Plaud AI?
Yes — Fireflies.ai's cheapest paid plan is Pro · $10/mo, while Plaud AI's is Free trial · From $159/mo.
Do Fireflies.ai and Plaud AI offer free plans?
Fireflies.ai: Yes, has a free plan. Plaud AI: Free trial only.
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