Granola
Granola is an AI meeting notepad that blends your own notes with what’s being said, all without needing a bot in the call.
Granola is an AI notepad for meetings with a unique twist: it doesn't join the call as a visible bot. Instead, the app listens in the background while you type your own bullet points, then merges your notes with the audio to create a polished summary at the end.
This bot-free approach is exactly why many prefer it over Otter or tl;dv: no "notetaker" participant pops up in client calls that you have to explain or justify. Your notes stay private, and you decide what gets shared with your team or CRM. It integrates directly with HubSpot, Attio, and Affinity.
The trade-off: because Granola builds on your own notes, you need to jot down a few points yourself. Without any input from you, the summary will be thinner than what you'd get from pure transcription tools. The London-based startup raised $125 million in a Series C round in March 2026.
It’s the right choice for consultants, founders, and sales pros who want to avoid having a visible bot in sensitive meetings and prefer to take notes anyway. If you’re looking for a verbatim transcript without lifting a finger, you’re better off with Otter or tl;dv.
Functions
- No visible bot in the call, stays discreet during client meetings too
- Enhances your own notes instead of replacing them
- Private by default: you decide what gets shared
- Clean, fast interface for Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android
- Backed by a $125 million Series C round at a $1.5 billion valuation
Core Functions
- Bot-free note-taking: no participant visibly joins the call
- Merge your typed notes with the transcribed conversation
- Ready-to-use meeting notes automatically at the end of the call
- Native integration with HubSpot, Attio, and Affinity
- Ask questions about all your past meetings via AI chat
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