Fireflies.ai sends a notetaker bot into your meetings and stores transcripts in its cloud, with lots of integrations.
Backchannel keeps recording, transcription and speaker identification on your Mac, adds no bot to the call, and writes notes to a location you own with an AI model you choose.
| Feature | Backchannel | Fireflies.ai |
|---|---|---|
| No bot joins the call | ✓ On-device audio | — Bot |
| Audio stays on your device | ✓ | — Cloud |
| On-device transcription | ✓ | — |
| Notes saved to a location you own | ✓ | — |
| Bring your own AI model / key | ✓ | — |
| Captures the shared screen | ✓ | — |
| Platform | macOS | Web |
| Status | In development | Generally available |
Details about Fireflies.ai are summarized from public information and can change — check Fireflies.ai for the latest. Backchannel is in active development.
Choose Fireflies for CRM integrations and a shared team workspace. Choose Backchannel if privacy and on-device processing matter more than integrations.
Yes, for teams that want no bot and on-device processing rather than a cloud workspace.
No — it captures your Mac's audio directly.
In development — register your interest.
Backchannel is in active development. Leave your details and we'll tell you the moment you can try it — no spam, just the launch.