Bot-free, like Granola — but nothing to install
Both capture meetings without a bot, write a clean AI summary, and let you chat with the meeting. The difference is what it takes to run them.
Nothing to install
Granola is a desktop and mobile app you download, install, and keep updated. MeetingSidekick is a web page — open it and press Start. Handy on a locked-down work laptop where you can't install software.
Any device, any OS
Because it runs in the browser, it works on Windows, Mac, Linux, a Chromebook, or your phone — not just the platforms a native app supports.
Bot-free & in person
Like Granola, nothing joins the call — and it captures in-person meetings in the room. No extra attendee, no notification.
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. Granola
The honest version — two bot-free notetakers, run differently.
| MeetingSidekick | Granola | |
|---|---|---|
| Records without a bot in the call | Yes | Yes |
| Runs in your browser (nothing to install) | Yes | App download |
| Any device & OS (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, phone) | Yes | Desktop & mobile app |
| In-person meetings & lectures | 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 and platforms as of June 2026; competitors' features change, so check their current docs. Granola is a trademark of its respective owner. MeetingSidekick isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them. See the full comparison with Otter, Fireflies & Fathom.
Granola vs. MeetingSidekick, answered
How is MeetingSidekick different from Granola?
Both are bot-free AI notetakers — nothing joins your call. The main difference is how you run them: MeetingSidekick is a web app that runs in any browser, with nothing to install, while Granola is an app you download to your computer or phone.
Do I need a Mac or a download like Granola?
No. MeetingSidekick runs in your browser, so it works on any device and operating system — Windows, Mac, Linux, a Chromebook, or your phone — with nothing to install and no app to keep updated.
Is MeetingSidekick also bot-free?
Yes. Like Granola, nothing joins your call. MeetingSidekick captures your own device's audio, so there's no notetaker on the attendee list — and it works for in-person meetings too.
Does it work for in-person meetings?
Yes. Because there's no bot to dial in, it works in a conference room, a lecture, or an interview — anywhere you can hear the conversation — as well as any video call.
Is there a free version?
Yes — it's free to start with no credit card, including two hours of recording each month. Paid plans add more hours, speaker names, and audio replay.
Try it on your next meeting — no download required.
Free to start, no credit card. Open a tab, press Start, and you'll have a summary with action items in minutes.
Start free →