Holographic pricing chart going up

Otter.ai Pricing Evolution and Discounts over 8 years: A Comprehensive Analysis

We wanted to put together a quick list of the pricing throughout the years for Otter AI. Interestingly, it looks like their price has either stayed the same or somewhat gone down, since their launch.

Foundational Years (2018-2020)

Otter.ai, initially launched by AISense in 2016, revolutionized real-time transcription through AI technology. Its pricing strategy commenced with a freemium model:

  • Basic (Free): 600 transcription minutes/month.
  • Pro: $9.99/month ($7.99/month annually).
  • Business: Customized solutions for larger teams.
the first pricing snapshot we could find on archive.org

Pricing Shifts (2021-2025)

March 26, 2021 Snapshot

  • Basic: Free; live transcription, playback search, comments.
  • Pro: $12.99/month, import pre-recorded files, advanced search.
  • Business: $30/month, Zoom integration, centralized billing.

March 25, 2022 Snapshot

  • Basic: Free; basic features.
  • Pro: $8.33/month annually (36% savings), custom vocabulary, advanced search.
  • Business: $20/month annually (33% savings), team-focused collaboration.

November 2, 2023 Snapshot

  • Basic: Free; AI chat and integrations.
  • Pro: $10/month annually (41% savings), 1,200 minutes, 90 min/conversation.
  • Business: Unchanged at $20/month annually, admin tools, and advanced analytics.

November 13, 2024 Snapshot

  • Basic: Free; AI meeting assistant, multilingual transcription.
  • Pro: Returned to $8.33/month annually (51% savings), robust collaboration features.
  • Business: Stable at $20/month annually, unlimited file imports, enhanced analytics.

June 2025 Snapshot

  • Basic: Free; 300 minutes/month, limited file uploads.
  • Pro: $8.33/month annually or $16.99/month monthly; advanced export and playback.
  • Business: $20/month annually or $30/month monthly; comprehensive admin controls.
  • Enterprise: Customized pricing; enhanced security, OtterPilot integrations.

Key Features and Strategic Changes

  • Annual Billing Emphasis: Significant discounts introduced from 2022, reflecting a strategic shift.
  • Pro Plan Adjustments: Regularly fluctuating, reflecting market response.
  • Business Stability: Consistently attractive to medium-sized teams.

Otter Referral Program

(Effective March 21, 2019)

Otter’s referral program offers existing customers promotional credits or Otter Pro Lite access for referring new users.

Earning Referral Rewards

  • Rewards granted upon referred friends’ qualifying actions:
    • Account Creation: Valid sign-up and email confirmation.
    • Pro Subscription: Completion of the first billing cycle on Pro plan.

Reward Limits

  • 10,000 transcription minutes maximum per user.
  • 12 months maximum access to Otter Pro Lite per user.

Strategic Partnerships and Promotions

  • Educational Discounts: 20% off annual Pro subscriptions.
  • Nonprofit Discounts: Managed via TechSoup.
  • Seasonal Promotions: Black Friday and holiday discounts routinely available.
  • Partnerships: Zoom (integrated meeting transcription), NTT Docomo (investment), ID.me (cashback).

Revenue and Market Growth

Otter.ai reached over $100 million ARR by March 2025, growing from $81 million in 2024, handling over 1 billion transcribed meetings, and maintaining a robust user base of over 25 million globally.

Conclusion

Otter.ai’s pricing evolution, supported by comprehensive archival documentation, demonstrates a calculated balance of customer acquisition, market adaptation, and revenue generation strategies. The consistent refinement of its pricing tiers, referral incentives, and strategic partnerships highlights its robust market approach, continually adapting to changing technological landscapes and consumer expectations.

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