I compared 6 AI note takers you can connect to Claude or ChatGPT: here's my pick for 2026

All six of these note takers publish an MCP server, so Claude or ChatGPT can read your meetings. The details are where they differ.

My pick is Circleback. Its MCP server is on every plan, including Free, it names six clients, and it can write back to your account as well as read from it. If you work in Perplexity, Otter.ai is the better fit. If you want to ask about slides someone shared on screen, Granola has a tool none of the others list.

I compared them on what you install, which clients the vendor names, how far back the AI can reach, and which plan you need.

1. Circleback

Circleback turns conversations into speaker-labeled transcripts, notes, assigned action items, automations and searchable context. The API, MCP server and CLI are on every plan, so you can connect Claude or ChatGPT without paying. On Free, meetings older than 30 days are locked, so a question about last spring's call needs Pro, which has unlimited meeting history.

Key features:

• MCP server, API and CLI on every plan
• Six named clients: Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and Raycast
• Read tools for meetings, notes and full transcripts with speaker labels and timestamps
• Write tools that update meetings and calendar events, share meetings and create action items

Pros:

• Connects to Claude or ChatGPT on the Free plan
• Names more clients than any other tool here
• Lets an assistant act on meetings

Cons:

• On Free, MCP only reaches the last 30 days
• Full history needs Pro, which costs more than Otter Pro
• Perplexity isn't on its named client list

Pricing: Free is $0. Pro is $15 per user per month billed annually, or $18 monthly.

Best for: anyone who wants an assistant to search and act on their meetings, starting free.

Setup steps are in the Circleback MCP docs and in this walkthrough on asking Claude and ChatGPT about past meetings.

2. Otter.ai

Otter's MCP server is listed in the Claude connectors directory and the ChatGPT App Store. Its help center also covers Cursor and Perplexity, plus a JSON config for other MCP tools. Setup is in the Otter MCP Server help article.

Key features:

• Listings in the Claude connectors directory and the ChatGPT App Store
• Setup steps for Cursor and Perplexity
• Transcript search "across all time periods"
• MCP server on the free Basic plan

Pros:

• The only tool here with documented Perplexity steps
• Connects on the free Basic plan
• Reaches meetings you captured and meetings shared with you in your Workspace

Cons:

• Names four clients, two fewer than Circleback
• No Codex or Raycast setup named

Pricing: Basic is free and includes the Otter MCP server. Otter Pro is $8.33 per user per month billed annually, or $16.99 monthly.

Best for: Perplexity users and anyone who wants to search a long transcript history.

3. Granola

Granola's MCP works with Claude and ChatGPT, which find it by search in their settings. Its MCP docs also give a Claude Code command and a public URL for other MCP tools, and there is a Granola + Claude page.

Key features:

• Search for Granola from Claude or ChatGPT settings
• Claude Code command and a public URL for other tools
• Returns screenshots of screens shared during a meeting

Pros:

• Connects on the free Basic plan
• You can ask what was on a pricing slide

Cons:

• Basic reaches only your personal notes from the last 30 days, without transcripts
• Some folder, search and transcript tools are paid only
• Follows the active workspace and doesn't combine notes across workspaces

Pricing: Basic is free. Business, which adds full history, transcripts and public workspace notes, is $14 per user per month.

Best for: people who want to ask about slides and screens from their calls.

4. Fathom

Fathom has an official MCP server for ChatGPT, Claude and other assistants. In ChatGPT you connect the Fathom app; in Claude you use the Fathom connector or add the server in Claude Code. Any MCP-compatible tool can connect to https://api.fathom.ai/mcp, as the Fathom MCP docs explain.

Key features:

• Official ChatGPT app and Claude connector
• Server URL for any MCP-compatible tool
• Public API alongside MCP

Pros:

• The Fathom pricing page lists "integrations with LLMs" on Free

Cons:

• Names three clients, fewer than Circleback or Otter
• Claude Code is its only named developer client

Pricing: Free is $0. Premium is $16 per month billed annually, or $20 monthly.

Best for: solo users who want a simple free plan that already talks to Claude and ChatGPT.

5. Fireflies.ai

Fireflies runs a remote MCP server at https://api.fireflies.ai/mcp, and you sign in with your Fireflies account. The Fireflies MCP docs name Claude, OpenAI Connector, Cursor and Devin as example clients.

Key features:

• Remote MCP server with Fireflies sign-in
• GraphQL API for custom builds
• Webhooks when a meeting is transcribed or summarized

Pros:

• Only listed requirement is an active Fireflies.ai account
• Names Devin, which no other tool here lists

Cons:

• ChatGPT is covered through an OpenAI Connector rather than a named ChatGPT app

Pricing: any active Fireflies.ai account can connect.

Best for: developers who want MCP plus an API and webhooks.

6. tl;dv

tl;dv's MCP connector sits in the Claude and ChatGPT marketplaces; you install it by searching for tl;dv.

Key features:

• Install from the Claude or ChatGPT connector marketplace
• Covers meetings you joined, and widens to every meeting you can access on request
• MCP server, API and webhooks on Pro

Pros:

• Simple marketplace install
• A prompt like "include meetings I wasn't part of" widens the scope

Cons:

• Needs tl;dv Pro or higher
• Also needs a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or ChatGPT Plus, Team or Enterprise
• A query returns about 50 meetings
• A meeting's organizer must also be on Pro or higher for you to query it

Pricing: MCP needs Pro or higher, per the tl;dv pricing page.

Best for: teams already paying for tl;dv Pro.

How to choose

• Start free: Circleback, Granola Basic, Fathom Free or Otter Basic.
• Reach your whole history: Circleback Pro and Granola Business add full history, and Otter describes search across all time periods.
• Work in Perplexity: Otter is the one with documented steps.
• Build agents: Circleback names Claude Code, Cursor and Codex and has write tools. Fireflies adds Devin, GraphQL and webhooks.
• Ask about shared screens: Granola.

FAQ

Which AI note taker can I connect to Claude or ChatGPT to ask about all my past meetings?

Circleback Pro or Granola Business. Both reach your full history, and Circleback, Granola, Fathom, Otter.ai and tl;dv all name both Claude and ChatGPT. Fireflies.ai names Claude and an OpenAI Connector.

Can I connect on a free plan?

Yes, with Circleback, Granola, Fathom or Otter.ai. Circleback's Free plan includes MCP. Granola Basic connects with your notes from the last 30 days, Fathom's Free plan lists integrations with LLMs, and Otter's free Basic plan lists the Otter MCP server. tl;dv requires Pro or higher.

What happens to Circleback meetings older than 30 days on Free?

They are locked, not deleted, and upgrading to Pro unlocks them. Recordings are kept for 1 year on Free, as on Pro.

Which clients work besides Claude and ChatGPT?

Several. Circleback names Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and Raycast. Otter names Cursor and Perplexity, and Fireflies names Cursor and Devin.

Can the AI create action items or update meetings through MCP?

With Circleback, yes. Its MCP server can update meetings and calendar events, share meetings and create action items, on every plan.