The same notes — without a bot in the room
Both tools live-transcribe and write a solid AI summary. The difference is where each one can actually capture the meeting, and what has to join it.
Nothing joins the call
The Fireflies Notetaker shows up as a participant. MeetingSidekick listens through your own device, so no extra attendee appears — good for candid 1:1s, interviews, and client calls.
Works in person
Fireflies records in person only through its separate phone app. MeetingSidekick captures the room from the same browser you already use — laptop or phone.
Nothing to install
It's a web page. No desktop app, no browser extension, no calendar connection to wire up — open it and press Start.
Your audio, your notes
Audio is used to transcribe — not to train models. Nothing's shared unless you share it, and you can delete anything permanently.
MeetingSidekick vs. Fireflies
The honest version — where each tool can capture a meeting.
| MeetingSidekick | Fireflies | |
|---|---|---|
| No bot joins the call | Yes | Bot joins |
| In-person meetings & lectures | Yes | Phone app |
| Nothing to install (runs in browser) | Yes | App / bot |
| Works on your phone | Yes | Yes |
| Live transcript | Yes | Yes |
| Summary + action items | Yes | Yes |
| Chat with the meeting afterward | Yes | Yes |
| Free to start, no credit card | Yes | Free tier |
Comparison reflects each product's primary capture method as of June 2026; competitors' features change, so check their current docs. Fireflies and Fireflies.ai are trademarks of their respective owner. MeetingSidekick isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them. See the full comparison with Otter, Fathom & Granola.
Switching from Fireflies, answered
Is MeetingSidekick a free Fireflies alternative?
Yes — it's free to start with no credit card, including two hours of recording each month. Paid plans add more hours and speaker names.
Does MeetingSidekick join my call like the Fireflies Notetaker bot?
No. Nothing joins your call. MeetingSidekick captures your own device's audio in the browser, so there's no bot added as a participant — and that's why it also works for in-person meetings.
Can it transcribe in-person meetings?
Yes. Because there's no bot to dial in, it works in a conference room, lecture, or interview — anywhere you can hear the conversation. Fireflies records in person only through its separate phone app.
Do I need to install anything?
No. MeetingSidekick runs in your browser on your laptop or phone — there's nothing to install and no extension to add.
Is it private?
Your audio is used to transcribe your meeting, not to train AI models. Nothing is shared unless you choose to share it, and you can delete anything permanently.
Try it on your next meeting — in person or online.
Free to start, no credit card. Press Start and you'll have a summary with action items in minutes.
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