# Otter.ai vs tl;dv (2026) - Verdict

**Verdict:** both live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Otter.ai if it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $22/mo. Choose tl;dv if you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020.

Category: AI Meeting Notes & Scheduling · Verified: Jul 21, 2026

## Choose Otter.ai if

- it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $22/mo.
- a longer track record matters to you; it has run since 2016.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/otter-ai (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## Choose tl;dv if

- you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020.
- it is built for solo & SMB teams.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/tldv (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## What each one is

**Otter.ai.** Otter.ai transcribes meetings in real time across Zoom, Teams, and Meet, adds speaker identification, and layers a chat that answers questions within and across meetings. It sits at a low per-seat price with a free tier. Note that Otter is currently flagged on Verdict as degrading following privacy litigation, tracked with dated sources on its signals page.
Sources: Otter pricing (https://otter.ai/pricing)

**tl;dv.** tl;dv records and transcribes Zoom, Meet, and Teams calls, then makes them useful after the fact with timestamps, clips, and highlight reels you can share, plus CRM connections. It offers a free tier and leans toward sales and research teams that revisit recordings. It fits teams that want to cut and share meeting moments rather than only read a summary.
Sources: tl;dv pricing (https://tldv.io/app/pricing/)

## Side by side

| Metric | Otter.ai | tl;dv |
|---|---|---|
| From $/mo | $16.99 | $22 |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2016 | 2020 |
| Best for | solo & SMB & enterprise | solo & SMB |
| Status | Live | Live |

All figures = lowest paid monthly plan · verified Jul 21, 2026.

## Where they differ

**Price.** Otter.ai is the cheaper entry at $16.99/mo, versus $22/mo for tl;dv.

**Free access.** Both Otter.ai and tl;dv offer a permanent free tier.

**Track record.** Otter.ai has been operating since 2016; tl;dv since 2020. A longer survival record matters.

## FAQ

### Otter.ai or tl;dv - which is better in 2026?
Both are live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Otter.ai if it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $22/mo. Choose tl;dv if you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020.

### Is Otter.ai cheaper than tl;dv?
Otter.ai has the lower entry price - from $16.99/mo vs $22/mo (verified Jul 21, 2026).

### Does Otter.ai or tl;dv have a free tier?
Both Otter.ai and tl;dv offer a permanent free tier.

### Are Otter.ai and tl;dv still maintained?
Yes - both are live as of Jul 21, 2026, with no official sunset announced for either.

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Canonical: https://verdict.tools/vs/otter-ai-vs-tldv