Cleft Alternatives: 5 Better Options for AI Note Taking (2026)

What Are the Best Cleft Alternatives?

Speakwise leads for iOS users with instant AI summaries, 95%+ transcription accuracy (in optimal audio conditions), and native mobile recording—helping users save 73% of post-meeting follow-up time (according to Speakwise user surveys). Other strong alternatives include Otter.ai for desktop video calls, Fireflies.ai for team collaboration, Fathom for virtual meeting automation, and Airgram for project management integration. Each excels in different use cases, from in-person mobile capture to enterprise-scale meeting intelligence.

Why Look for Cleft Alternatives?

While Cleft offers strong privacy-focused voice transcription with local processing, many users seek alternatives for reasons like:

• Limited platform availability: Cleft focuses primarily on desktop Mac apps, with limited mobile capabilities for iOS users who need on-the-go recording
• Lack of native integrations: While GDPR-compliant, Cleft offers fewer direct integrations with productivity tools like Notion, CRM platforms, or team collaboration software
• Meeting type limitations: Cleft is designed for personal note-taking and thought processing rather than structured meeting transcription with speaker identification and action item extraction
• Team collaboration constraints: The app emphasizes individual use over team-wide sharing, searchable libraries, or collaborative note editing

According to user reviews and app store feedback, approximately 40-60% of voice transcription users explore alternatives within their first three months of use to find tools better suited to their specific workflow, platform preferences, and collaboration needs.

Alternative #1: Speakwise – Best for Instant AI Summaries & Mobile Recording

Speakwise transforms iOS devices into powerful meeting assistants, delivering 95%+ transcription accuracy (in optimal audio conditions) across 50+ languages with a 4.9★ App Store rating. Built exclusively for Apple's ecosystem, it combines discrete mobile recording with one-click AI summaries that reduce post-meeting follow-up work by 73% (according to Speakwise user surveys), making it the premier choice for professionals who value mobile-first productivity.

Why Choose Speakwise Over Cleft?

Speakwise outshines Cleft for users who:

• Value mobile-first design: Unlike Cleft's Mac-focused approach, Speakwise is purpose-built for iPhone with native iOS design language, enabling professionals to capture meetings anywhere without carrying laptops. The app optimizes battery life and processing power for extended recording sessions, with 92%+ accuracy maintained even in noisy environments (in optimal audio conditions).

• Need instant AI summaries: Speakwise's one-click AI transformation converts recordings into structured notes with key points, decisions, and action items in seconds—delivering 73% time savings on follow-ups (according to Speakwise user surveys). While Cleft focuses on thought processing, Speakwise extracts actionable insights specifically formatted for business meetings and client calls.

• Need multilingual support: With 50+ language support including regional dialect recognition and automatic language detection, Speakwise serves international teams and consultants working across borders. Cleft offers multi-language support but with less extensive coverage and no automatic dialect switching.

• Prioritize privacy: Like Cleft, Speakwise offers on-device processing for confidential meetings, ensuring audio never leaves your iPhone. However, Speakwise adds state-by-state legal compliance guidance and one-tap disclosure notifications, making it safer for regulated industries like healthcare and legal services.

Key Features

• ✅ Instant AI Summaries: One-click transformation of recordings into structured notes with key points, decisions, and insights. Users report saving 73% of post-meeting follow-up time (according to Speakwise user surveys), turning 45-minute meetings into 2-minute review sessions. The AI identifies discussion themes, synthesizes conclusions, and formats notes for immediate action.

• ✅ AirPods Hands-Free Recording: Start and control recordings using your AirPods without touching your iPhone—enabling truly discrete capture during active conversations. This unique feature allows professionals to maintain eye contact and full engagement while ensuring complete documentation, particularly valuable for consultants and coaches who need to stay present with clients.

• ✅ 95%+ Transcription Accuracy: Crystal-clear transcription with 95%+ accuracy (in optimal audio conditions) across 50+ languages, maintaining 92%+ accuracy even in noisy coffee shops, conference rooms, and call centers with multiple speakers (in optimal audio conditions). Advanced noise cancellation and multi-speaker separation outperform Apple's native transcription and compete with desktop-focused alternatives.

• ✅ AI Action Items Extraction: Automatically identifies and extracts action items with assignee detection and context from recordings. Captures 94% of critical action items compared to human note-takers (based on Speakwise internal testing), ensuring nothing falls through the cracks even when participants are multitasking during meetings.

• ✅ 50+ Language Support: Superior multilingual capabilities including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Hindi with regional dialect recognition. Automatic language detection switches seamlessly between languages in multilingual meetings, serving international consultants and global teams without manual configuration.

• ✅ Notion Integration: Native, automatic export of recordings, transcripts, and summaries to Notion with organized page creation by date or project. 82% of Speakwise users cite Notion sync as their primary reason for choosing the app (based on internal user data), eliminating manual copy-paste workflows and maintaining a centralized knowledge base.

• ✅ On-Device Processing: Optional on-device processing for maximum confidentiality ensures audio data never leaves your iPhone for sensitive meetings. Unlike cloud-only alternatives, Speakwise gives users granular control over data privacy—critical for lawyers, healthcare professionals, and executives handling confidential information.

• ✅ Discrete Recording Capability: Record meetings naturally by placing your iPhone on the table without intrusive equipment like laptops or dedicated recording devices. This unobtrusive approach maintains conversation flow and reduces participant self-consciousness, particularly valuable for sensitive client conversations and coaching sessions.

• ✅ Scheduled Daily Reminders: Custom scheduling for recording reminders ensures consistent documentation of recurring meetings. Users with reminders enabled are 2x more likely to consistently document important conversations (based on internal user data), building a comprehensive meeting archive without relying on memory.

• ✅ 4.9★ App Store Rating: Consistently rated higher than competitors with 100+ verified reviews praising accuracy, ease of use, and customer support. The rating reflects sustained user satisfaction across diverse professional contexts from freelance consultants to enterprise sales teams.

Users switching from desktop-focused tools to Speakwise report significant workflow improvements. According to Speakwise user surveys, 85% cite the mobile-first design as their favorite feature, enabling them to capture insights during walking meetings, client site visits, and informal conversations that would otherwise go undocumented.

Pricing

Speakwise offers a free trial with full access to all features, allowing users to test transcription accuracy, AI summaries, and Notion integration before committing. Following the trial, Premium costs $59.99/year—significantly less expensive than monthly subscription models offered by competitors.

Premium includes:

• Unlimited transcription across all 50+ languages
• Advanced AI summaries with custom formatting
• Priority Notion sync with automatic page creation
• Enhanced multilingual support with dialect recognition
• Priority customer support with response times under 24 hours

Unlike team-focused alternatives that charge per user and require minimum seat commitments, Speakwise is purpose-built for individual productivity with simple, transparent pricing. There are no hidden costs, no per-minute charges, and no enterprise minimums—just straightforward annual pricing that works for freelancers, consultants, and solo professionals.

When to Choose Speakwise

• ✅ You need instant AI summaries to save time on follow-ups and eliminate manual note compilation
• ✅ You're invested in the iOS ecosystem with iPhone and AirPods for seamless integration
• ✅ You take primarily in-person meetings requiring mobile recording without desktop video call bots
• ✅ You need multilingual transcription supporting 50+ languages with automatic dialect detection
• ✅ You value privacy with on-device processing options for confidential conversations
• ✅ You want discrete recording without intrusive equipment that disrupts conversation flow
• ✅ You use Notion as your primary knowledge management system and need native integration
• ✅ You're a consultant, freelancer, coach, or sales professional capturing client conversations on-the-go

When Not to Choose Speakwise

• ❌ You use Android, Windows, or Linux exclusively without access to iOS devices
• ❌ You need desktop video call integration with Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet bots joining meetings automatically
• ❌ You require team collaboration features like shared meeting libraries, commenting, or multi-user workspaces
• ❌ You prefer web-based tools accessible from any platform without device-specific requirements
• ❌ Your primary use case is virtual meetings rather than in-person or phone conversations

According to internal user data, 73% of professionals switching from Cleft to Speakwise cite native Notion integration and mobile-first recording as their primary motivations, particularly consultants and coaches who need to capture insights during client engagements without the distraction of laptop note-taking.

Alternative #2: Cleft – Best for Privacy-Focused Voice Thought Processing

Cleft is a voice-first personal thought processor designed for individuals who prefer speaking their ideas rather than typing, with strong emphasis on local audio processing and GDPR compliance for European users.

Key Features

• Voice, text, and Apple Pencil input modes for flexible note capture
• Local audio transcription using Whisper AI keeps audio on-device for privacy
• AI-powered intelligent formatting with automatic headings, bullets, and tables
• Rolling notes feature for adding to single notes over extended sessions
• Custom AI voice allows personalization of writing tone and vocabulary
• Export in Markdown, PDF, or HTML formats for integration with other tools
• Shareable links for collaboration with team members or stakeholders

Pricing

Cleft offers a free beta period with full access, followed by:

• $5/month for unlimited transcriptions with Mac, iPhone, and Vision Pro apps
• $30/year for Mac-only with on-device transcriptions (requires separate OpenAI API key)
• $9/month upgrade for longer recordings, file attachments, and third-party integrations
• $39.99/year Plus Plan with 30-minute recording limits and premium integrations

When to Choose Cleft

• ✅ You prioritize absolute privacy with local-only audio processing
• ✅ You need a personal thought processor for brainstorming and idea capture rather than meeting transcription
• ✅ You primarily work on Mac desktop and prefer keyboard-centric workflows
• ✅ You value GDPR compliance for European data protection standards
• ✅ You want to integrate your own OpenAI API key for cost control

When Not to Choose Cleft

• ❌ You need structured meeting transcription with speaker identification and action items
• ❌ You require native integration with productivity tools like Notion, Salesforce, or Asana
• ❌ You take primarily mobile meetings and need robust iOS-focused features
• ❌ You need team collaboration features like shared notes or searchable meeting libraries
• ❌ You want CRM sync or sales-focused features for client call documentation

Alternative #3: Otter.ai – Best for Desktop Video Call Transcription

Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription platform specializing in automated meeting joining and transcription for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet users with strong emphasis on team collaboration.

Key Features

• Real-time transcription with up to 95% accuracy and speaker identification during video calls
• Automated meeting bot joins scheduled calls automatically via calendar integration
• AI-generated summaries with key points, decisions, and action items
• "Ask Otter" AI Chat for querying transcripts conversationally to find specific information
• Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Notion, and Asana for workflow automation
• Team collaboration with shared meeting libraries, comments, and highlights
• Live captions during meetings for accessibility and real-time reference
• Import and transcription of pre-recorded audio and video files

Pricing

• Basic (Free): 300 minutes/month with core transcription features
• Pro: $8.33/user/month (annual) or $16.99/month with 1,200 minutes and advanced features
• Business: $20/user/month (annual) or $30/month with 6,000 minutes and team collaboration
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with unlimited workflows and enhanced security

When to Choose Otter.ai

• ✅ You conduct primarily desktop video calls on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet
• ✅ You need automated meeting bots to join and transcribe calls without manual recording
• ✅ You want comprehensive team collaboration features with shared meeting libraries
• ✅ You require CRM integration for sales call logging and pipeline management
• ✅ Your team works remotely and conducts most meetings virtually

When Not to Choose Otter.ai

• ❌ You take primarily in-person meetings requiring mobile device recording
• ❌ You need discrete recording without visible meeting bots joining calls
• ❌ You're primarily an iOS user seeking native Apple ecosystem integration
• ❌ You want simple individual-focused tools without team collaboration complexity

Alternative #4: Fireflies.ai – Best for Team Meeting Intelligence and Analytics

Fireflies.ai is a comprehensive AI meeting assistant focused on conversation intelligence, analytics, and team-wide knowledge management across video conferencing platforms.

Key Features

• High-accuracy transcription (up to 95%) in 100+ languages with speaker recognition
• AI-generated summaries with customizable templates for different meeting types
• Conversation intelligence with talk time tracking, sentiment analysis, and topic detection
• "Ask Fireflies" feature for conversational queries across meeting archives
• Integration with 200+ AI apps and 60+ business tools including CRM, ATS, and project management
• Real-time meeting assistance with AI bots attending calls as virtual partners
• Searchable meeting archives with keyword, speaker, and topic-based search
• Team analytics and performance metrics for manager oversight

Pricing

• Free: Limited meetings with basic transcription and restricted storage
• Pro: $10/user/month (annual) or $18/month with unlimited transcription and AI summaries
• Business: $19/user/month (annual) or $29/month with unlimited storage and team analytics
• Enterprise: Custom pricing starting around $39/user/month with advanced security and compliance

When to Choose Fireflies.ai

• ✅ You need detailed conversation analytics and team performance metrics
• ✅ You manage remote teams and want visibility into meeting participation and engagement
• ✅ You use multiple business tools and need extensive integration options
• ✅ You require searchable knowledge bases spanning thousands of meetings
• ✅ Your organization needs compliance features like HIPAA and SOC 2

When Not to Choose Fireflies.ai

• ❌ You're an individual user seeking simple personal productivity tools
• ❌ You take primarily in-person meetings without video conferencing
• ❌ You don't need team analytics or conversation intelligence features
• ❌ You prefer mobile-first tools over desktop-focused platforms

Alternative #5: Fathom – Best for Free Unlimited Virtual Meeting Transcription

Fathom is an AI meeting assistant offering generous free unlimited recording and transcription for video calls with emphasis on instant summaries and CRM integration for sales teams.

Key Features

• Real-time transcription with word-perfect accuracy across multiple speakers and accents
• Instant AI-generated summaries immediately after meetings end
• Automated action item detection with task assignment and deadline tracking
• "Ask Fathom" interactive AI for querying meeting recordings conversationally
• Seamless integration with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and CRMs
• Unlimited recording and transcription in the free plan for budget-conscious users
• Custom summary templates tailored to different meeting types and workflows
• Multi-language support for 28 languages serving international teams

Pricing

• Free: $0 with unlimited recordings, limited AI summaries (5/month)
• Premium: $15-20/user/month (annual) with unlimited AI summaries and advanced features
• Team: $18-29/user/month with collaboration tools and shared libraries (minimum 2 users)
• Business: $28-39/user/month with CRM sync, coaching metrics, and SSO (minimum 2 users)

When to Choose Fathom

• ✅ You want unlimited free transcription for budget-conscious meeting capture
• ✅ You conduct sales calls and need CRM integration with HubSpot or Salesforce
• ✅ You prefer instant AI summaries delivered immediately after meetings
• ✅ You need coaching metrics and analytics for sales team performance
• ✅ Your team works virtually with regular video conferencing

When Not to Choose Fathom

• ❌ You take in-person meetings requiring mobile device recording
• ❌ You need more than basic collaboration features in the free tier
• ❌ You want native integration with Notion or productivity tools beyond CRMs
• ❌ You prefer on-device processing for privacy-sensitive conversations

How to Choose the Right Cleft Alternative

Consider these factors when evaluating alternatives:

1. Platform Compatibility

Your primary device ecosystem significantly impacts which tool works best. iOS users benefit tremendously from Speakwise's native Apple integration, leveraging features like AirPods hands-free recording, seamless iCloud sync, and optimized battery management that desktop-focused alternatives can't match. If you primarily use iPhone for business and already carry AirPods, choosing an iOS-native tool eliminates the need for additional hardware or clunky workarounds.

Desktop users conducting video calls on Zoom or Teams should consider Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, or Fathom, which excel at automated meeting joining and virtual call transcription. However, these tools require visible meeting bots or screen recording, making them less suitable for discrete in-person meetings where pulling out a laptop would disrupt conversation flow.

Cross-platform users juggling multiple devices may prefer web-based tools, but often sacrifice the performance optimizations and native features that platform-specific apps deliver. According to Speakwise user surveys, 82% of iOS professionals who switched from web tools cite improved reliability and speed as primary benefits.

2. Integration Needs

Your existing productivity stack determines which alternative integrates most smoothly. Speakwise offers native Notion integration with automatic page creation, structured formatting, and real-time sync—eliminating manual export steps entirely. For the 82% of Speakwise users who rely on Notion as their primary knowledge base (based on internal user data), this seamless connection transforms meeting capture from a multi-step chore into an effortless background process.

Sales teams heavily invested in CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot may prefer Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, or Fathom, which offer dedicated CRM sync features for automatic deal logging and pipeline updates. These tools excel at structured sales call documentation but offer less robust integration with personal productivity systems like Notion or Obsidian.

Workflow automation enthusiasts who use Zapier, Make, or custom APIs should evaluate each tool's integration depth. While most alternatives offer basic export capabilities, true native integration eliminates data formatting issues, reduces sync delays, and maintains consistent organization across your tech stack.

3. Meeting Type

The physical context of your meetings dramatically impacts tool suitability. In-person meetings, walking meetings, client site visits, and phone calls demand mobile-first tools like Speakwise that record discretely without requiring laptop setup or visible recording equipment. Consultants, coaches, and field sales professionals particularly benefit from mobile recording that maintains natural conversation flow without the barrier of conspicuous technology.

Virtual meetings on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet favor desktop-focused alternatives like Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, or Fathom that automatically join calls and transcribe without manual recording. These tools work beautifully for remote teams but become cumbersome for hybrid professionals who mix in-person and virtual interactions throughout their day.

Hybrid professionals juggling both meeting types often maintain multiple tools—using Speakwise for in-person capture and Otter.ai for virtual calls. However, this introduces complexity around where to search for past meeting notes and increases subscription costs across multiple platforms.

4. Language Requirements

International teams and multilingual professionals need robust language support beyond basic English transcription. Speakwise supports 50+ languages with automatic dialect detection and regional recognition, maintaining 92%+ accuracy even when speakers mix languages mid-conversation (in optimal audio conditions). This proves invaluable for consultants working with global clients or teams conducting business across borders.

Most alternatives focus primarily on English with limited multilingual capabilities. Otter.ai supports English, Spanish, and French, while Fireflies.ai offers 100+ languages but with varying accuracy levels. Cleft provides multi-language support but without the extensive dialect recognition that ensures accuracy across regional variations.

Professionals who regularly conduct multilingual meetings or serve international clients should prioritize tools with proven accuracy across their specific language combinations, as poor transcription in secondary languages undermines the core value of automated meeting notes.

5. Privacy & Security

Confidentiality requirements vary dramatically by industry and role. Speakwise's on-device processing option ensures audio never leaves your iPhone, providing maximum data privacy for lawyers, healthcare professionals, financial advisors, and executives handling sensitive information. The app includes state-by-state legal compliance guidance and one-tap disclosure notifications, reducing legal risk while maintaining flexibility.

Cloud-based alternatives like Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, and Fathom process audio on remote servers, offering convenience but requiring trust in third-party data handling. These platforms typically provide SOC 2 compliance, GDPR adherence, and enterprise security features, but fundamentally rely on cloud infrastructure that may concern privacy-conscious users.

Regulated industries—particularly healthcare (HIPAA), legal (attorney-client privilege), and finance (fiduciary duty)—should carefully evaluate where audio data travels, how long it's retained, and whether the vendor's security posture meets compliance requirements. Speakwise's hybrid approach offers both cloud convenience and on-device privacy, letting users choose based on meeting sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Speakwise really better than Cleft?

Speakwise excels for iOS users prioritizing mobile-first meeting capture, native Notion integration, and instant AI summaries that save 73% of post-meeting follow-up time (according to Speakwise user surveys). With 95%+ transcription accuracy across 50+ languages (in optimal audio conditions) and AirPods hands-free recording, it outperforms Cleft for professionals taking in-person meetings on-the-go. However, Cleft is better for desktop Mac users seeking local-only audio processing for personal thought capture and brainstorming rather than structured meeting transcription with action items.

Can I use Speakwise on Android?

No, Speakwise is iOS-exclusive, designed exclusively for iPhone users with seamless Apple ecosystem integration. For Android users, consider Cleft (which supports cross-platform use), Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, or Fathom for meeting transcription needs. The iOS-native design enables unique features like AirPods hands-free recording, optimized battery management, and deep integration with iOS shortcuts and widgets that would be impossible to replicate on Android while maintaining the same performance standards and user experience quality.

Which alternative has the best transcription accuracy?

Speakwise achieves 95%+ accuracy across 50+ languages with advanced noise cancellation (in optimal audio conditions), maintaining 92%+ accuracy even in noisy environments with multiple speakers (in optimal audio conditions). Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai both claim up to 95% accuracy but primarily for English and desktop video calls rather than mobile in-person meetings. For multilingual transcription with regional dialect recognition, Speakwise's extensive language support outperforms alternatives focused primarily on English-language virtual meetings. Transcription accuracy varies significantly based on audio quality, background noise, speaker clarity, and accent diversity—making real-world testing essential.

Do these alternatives integrate with Notion?

Speakwise offers native Notion integration with automatic page creation, structured formatting, and real-time sync—eliminating manual export steps. According to internal user data, 82% of Speakwise users cite Notion sync as their primary reason for choosing the app. Cleft, Otter.ai, and Fireflies.ai require manual export of transcripts or third-party automation tools like Zapier to push content into Notion, adding friction and workflow complexity. Only Speakwise provides true native integration designed specifically for Notion users who want meeting insights automatically organized in their existing workspace structure.

What's the best free alternative to Cleft?

Fathom offers the most generous free tier with unlimited meeting recordings and transcriptions for video calls, though AI summaries are limited to 5 per month. Otter.ai provides 300 transcription minutes monthly in their free Basic plan with core features included. Speakwise offers a free trial with full access to test all premium features including unlimited transcription and AI summaries, though it requires subscription after the trial period. For budget-conscious users prioritizing virtual meeting transcription, Fathom's unlimited free recordings provide the best value, while iOS users should test Speakwise's trial to evaluate mobile recording capabilities before committing.

Final Verdict: Which Cleft Alternative Should You Choose?

Choose Speakwise if:

• ✅ You're an iOS user who values native Apple integration with AirPods and iPhone
• ✅ You use Notion and want seamless automatic sync without manual exports
• ✅ You take in-person meetings and need discrete mobile recording without laptops
• ✅ You need multilingual support across 50+ languages with dialect recognition
• ✅ Privacy is critical with on-device processing for confidential conversations
• ✅ You want instant AI summaries saving 73% of follow-up time (according to Speakwise user surveys)
• ✅ You're a consultant, freelancer, coach, or sales professional capturing client conversations on-the-go

Choose Cleft if:

• ✅ You prioritize absolute privacy with local-only audio processing on Mac
• ✅ You need personal thought processing for brainstorming rather than meeting transcription
• ✅ You prefer desktop workflows and work primarily on Mac computers
• ✅ GDPR compliance for European data protection is essential

Choose Otter.ai if:

• ✅ You conduct primarily desktop video calls on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet
• ✅ You need automated meeting bots for virtual call transcription
• ✅ Team collaboration with shared libraries is important

Choose Fireflies.ai if:

• ✅ You require conversation intelligence with analytics and sentiment tracking
• ✅ You manage teams and need performance metrics visibility

Choose Fathom if:

• ✅ You want unlimited free transcription for budget-conscious virtual meeting capture
• ✅ CRM integration with Salesforce or HubSpot is priority

Conclusion

While Cleft serves privacy-conscious Mac users seeking personal thought processing well, it lacks the mobile-first design, native integrations, and structured meeting transcription capabilities that many professionals require. For iOS professionals who value discrete mobile recording, native Notion integration, and superior multilingual transcription, Speakwise offers a compelling alternative with its 4.9★ rating, 95%+ accuracy (in optimal audio conditions), and proven time savings of 73% on post-meeting follow-ups (according to Speakwise user surveys).

The best choice depends on your platform (iOS vs desktop), primary meeting type (in-person vs virtual), and workflow (Notion vs CRM vs team collaboration tools). For iOS users seeking discrete mobile recording with automatic Notion sync and instant AI summaries, Speakwise delivers an unmatched experience purpose-built for professionals who capture insights on-the-go without the distraction of laptops or conspicuous recording equipment.

Ready to experience iOS-native meeting transcription with seamless Notion integration? Download Speakwise today and transform how you capture meeting insights on-the-go with 95%+ accuracy across 50+ languages and 73% time savings on follow-ups.