CraftNote and Plaud both capture conversations without a bot joining the call, but they take very different shapes. CraftNote is software you already have on your phone, Mac and the web. Plaud is built around a dedicated wearable recorder you buy and carry. This comparison covers how each one records, what it costs to start, and who each is genuinely best for.
Overview
CraftNote
CraftNote is a bot-free AI note-taker for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and the web. It records meetings and calls, in person or online, straight from the device you already use, then produces a transcript, a summary and action items with speaker labels. It supports 100+ languages, works offline and syncs across your devices, and has a genuinely usable free plan with no hardware to buy.
Plaud
Plaud is a hardware-first AI note-taker built around a wearable voice recorder, the NotePin (around $179), plus a companion app and a newer Plaud Desktop app that captures online meetings without a bot. Used by more than 1.5 million people, it supports 112 languages and spans in-person, phone and online capture, with a free Starter plan (300 minutes/month) and paid Pro and Unlimited tiers.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | CraftNote | Plaud | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording approach | Bot-free. Records from the phone, Mac or browser you already own, for both online calls and in-person conversations. | Bot-free. Centered on a dedicated wearable recorder for in-person capture, plus a desktop app for online meetings. | ― |
| Hardware required | None. Uses devices you already have, so there is nothing to buy, carry or charge. | The wearable NotePin device (around $179) is the core of the experience. | ✓ |
| Hands-free, all-day capture | Runs on your phone or laptop; capturing all day means keeping the app and device running. | The wearable clips on and offers long recording and standby time with a physical record button, built for capturing throughout the day away from a screen. | ✓ |
| Platforms | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and web from one account, so notes are on every device. | Mobile and desktop apps plus the physical device. | ✓ |
| Languages | 100+ languages, including Turkish. | 112 languages. | ✓ |
| Summaries & action items | Automatic transcript, summary and separated action items with speaker labels. | Transcribes and summarizes recordings, with multimodal input like photos and typed notes. | ― |
| Offline use | Records offline and syncs when you reconnect. | The device records locally and syncs to the app afterwards. | ― |
| Cost to start | Free plan with no purchase required; paid tiers for heavier use. | Free Starter plan (300 minutes/month), but the wearable workflow requires buying the device first. | ✓ |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose CraftNote if…
CraftNote is best if you want to start free with nothing to buy, and record meetings and calls straight from the phone, Mac or web you already use. It fits people who work across iPhone, Android and desktop and want notes waiting on every device, in 100+ languages.
Choose Plaud if…
Plaud is best if you want a dedicated wearable for hands-free, all-day capture and don't mind buying and carrying a device. It suits people who record throughout the day away from a screen and want a purpose-built recorder with a physical button and long battery life.