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Riverside FM vs Otter AI: Ultimate Side-by-Side Comparison (2025)
Riverside FM
Otter AI
Overview
What Is Riverside FM?
Riverside FM is a browser-based platform for recording high-quality audio and video content remotely. It is used by podcasters, video creators, marketers, educators, and others who want to capture conversations virtually.
Riverside FM works by recording lossless audio and up to 4K video locally on each participant's device. This means the quality doesn't degrade due to Internet connection issues. The separate audio and video tracks are automatically uploaded to the cloud, where they are synchronized for editing.
Riverside FM includes tools to facilitate the remote recording process, like scheduling sessions, enabling virtual green rooms for guests, and providing a virtual studio for hosts to monitor recordings in real time. The platform also offers tools powered by AI to streamline post-production and distribution.
Once an audio/video recording is finished, the separate high-quality tracks can be downloaded for further editing in tools like Adobe Audition or Final Cut Pro. Riverside FM also provides its own basic editing tools for light trimming and combining clips.
What Is Otter AI?
Otter AI is a cloud-based AI meeting assistant designed to record, transcribe and summarize voice conversations. It integrates with popular web conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, enabling it to join meetings automatically.
During a meeting, Otter AI records the audio, converts speech to text in real-time, and shares the live transcript with meeting participants. Users can highlight parts of the transcript for later reference.
After the meeting, Otter AI generates a summary of key points and action items. It also offers an AI chatbot that can answer questions about the meeting content.
Otter AI aims to help users stay engaged in conversations while ensuring they don't miss important details. The software stores meeting notes in a centralized, searchable repository for easy access and sharing.
Feature Comparison
Overview of Riverside FM’s Features
Riverside FM offers a range of AI-powered tools designed to simplify the recording, transcribing, editing, and publishing of audio/video content:
Automated Transcription
Riverside FM provides automatic transcription for recorded audio and video files. Once a recording is finished, Riverside FM's AI engine starts transcribing the conversation. The transcript appears alongside the video in the editor page, with each speaker's segments labeled. Users can click on a sentence in the transcript to jump to the corresponding point in the video.
The audio/video transcript is interactive and editable. Users can modify the text to correct any errors or add punctuation as needed. Any changes made to the transcript automatically sync with the video timeline, making it easy to trim or rearrange segments based on the text.
Magic Clips
Magic Clips is a feature that allows users to quickly create short, shareable video clips from a longer recording. After a video recording ends, Riverside FM's AI scans the transcript and identifies key moments or highlights based on keywords, sentiment analysis and speaker energy levels.
These moments are marked on the video transcript as suggested clips. Users can review the suggestions, modify the start and end points, and select which ones they want to turn into Magic Clips. They can also create clips manually by selecting any portion of the video transcript.
Each Magic Clip gets its own dedicated page with a unique shareable link. The clip pages are customizable with options to add a title, description, custom thumbnail, and CTAs. Magic Clips can be downloaded as video files or embedded on external sites.
Captions
Riverside FM offers automatic captioning for recorded podcasts and videos. Using the auto-generated transcript as a base, Riverside FM creates synchronized captions in SRT or VTT format. Users can edit the captions directly on the video timeline to fix any mistakes or timing issues. The caption files can be downloaded separately or burned into the video. Riverside FM supports multiline captions and custom caption styling.
Magic Audio
Magic Audio is Riverside FM's AI-powered tool for enhancing audio quality. It runs automatically after each video or podcast recording to optimize the sound with a single click.
Magic Audio includes several presets tuned for different recording scenarios such as solo videos, podcast recordings, and music. It can fix common issues like background noise, echo, uneven levels, and low volume. Users can preview how each preset affects their audio before applying it.
The enhanced audio is saved as a separate file, preserving the original recording. Users can download the Magic Audio file or replace the original audio track with it in their video editor.
Async Audio/Video Recording
Riverside FM supports asynchronous recording, also known as remote recording. This allows participants to record their audio and video locally on their devices without being online at the same time.
To start an async recording, the host creates a new session and invites guests by email. Each guest receives a unique link that opens a solo recording interface in their web browser. They can record their segment separately and upload it to the cloud.
Overview of Otter AI’s Features
Otter AI offers several features designed to enhance meeting productivity and collaboration. Let's take a closer look at some of its key capabilities.
Automated Transcription
Otter AI's primary feature is the ability to automatically record and transcribe meetings. It integrates with your calendar and joins scheduled meetings on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet as a virtual participant. During the meeting, Otter AI records the audio and converts speech to text in real-time. Participants can view the live transcript and highlight important points as they come up. The software also timestamps the transcript so users can easily jump to specific parts of the recording later. Speaker identification helps keep track of who said what. After the meeting, the full transcript is available for review and sharing.
AI Meeting Notes and Summaries
In addition to transcripts, Otter AI automatically generates meeting summaries. It uses natural language processing (NLP) to identify and extract key points, decisions, and action items from the conversation. This provides a concise overview of the main takeaways without having to read through the entire transcript. The summary is generated a few minutes after the meeting ends and appears at the top of the notes. Users can also edit the summary to add more context or remove irrelevant points. The auto-summary feature aims to help users quickly grasp the essential information and next steps.
Otter AI Chatbot
Otter AI includes an AI-powered chatbot that can answer questions about your meetings. During a meeting, participants can ask the chatbot things like "What's the next step?" or "What did we say about the budget?" The chatbot uses NLP to scan the transcript and find the most relevant information. After the meeting, the Otter chatbot remains available to answer follow-up questions. Users can ask it to list all the action items, explain a specific decision, or find where a topic was discussed. The chatbot extends the value of AI meeting notes by making the content more accessible and actionable.
AI Channels
Otter AI recently introduced AI Channels as a way to bring people and conversations together. AI Channels combine relevant meetings, audio files, action items, and chat in one place. Users can create channels for departments, projects, or meeting series. Channels can include both live meetings and uploaded recordings. Within a channel, users can make inline comments on the transcript to ask questions or share insights. They can also chat directly with the Otter AI to get a quick summary of the channel content. AI Channels aim to provide a collaborative space for teams to communicate, aligned around a shared purpose.
Slide Capture
For virtual meetings where slides are presented, Otter AI can automatically capture the visuals along with the audio. It detects when a screen is being shared and takes screenshots of the slides. The slide images are then added to the AI meeting notes meeting notes at the relevant points in the transcript. This allows users to review the presented content in context with what was said. Slides can be enlarged for a closer look or downloaded for reference. The slide capture feature provides a more comprehensive record of the meeting, making it easier to recall information and share with others.
Ideal Users
Riverside FM’s Ideal Users
Riverside FM caters to a variety of users who require high-quality remote audio/video recording capabilities. Let's take a closer look at some of the key user groups that can benefit from this recording software's features.
Podcasters
Podcasters, particularly those who frequently conduct remote interviews, can find value in Riverside FM's offerings. The platform's ability to record lossless audio and high-resolution video locally on each participant's device ensures optimal quality, minimizing the impact of internet connectivity issues. The separate track recording allows for easier editing and post-production work.
Producers
Producers working on video content, such as interviews, podcasts, documentaries, or educational courses, can leverage Riverside FM's capabilities to streamline their workflows. The platform's browser-based interface eliminates the need for guests to install additional software, making it easier to onboard participants. Producers can monitor recordings in real-time, provide instructions to guests, and ensure a smooth session. The ability to record up to 4K video quality and the option to enable remote guests to share their screens adds versatility to the recording setup.
Marketers
Marketers can use Riverside FM to create engaging video content for their campaigns and social media channels. The Magic Clips feature, which automatically identifies and extracts highlight moments from video recordings, can be particularly useful for generating short, shareable clips that capture audience attention. The customization options for clip length and format make it easier to tailor content for different platforms. Additionally, the ability to add captions to videos enhances accessibility.
Otter AI’s Ideal Users
Here are some key user groups that can benefit from Otter AI’s capabilities:
Sales Teams
Otter AI offers value for sales teams that spend significant time in meetings with prospects and customers. The software can auto-join sales calls, transcribe the conversation, and extract key details like pricing, timelines, and next steps. This allows sales reps to focus on engaging with the client during the call. Afterward, they can quickly review the summary, add meeting notes, and sync the information to their CRM. Managers can also get visibility into calls for coaching and forecasting purposes.
Faculty and Students
For educational use cases, Otter AI helps improve information retention and accommodates different learning preferences. Professors can use Otter AI to automatically transcribe their lectures and share the meeting notes with students. This is especially helpful for students who have hearing impairments, struggle to take notes, or want to review the lecture at their own pace. Students can highlight key concepts during class and add their own annotations to the transcript.
Media Teams
Media teams can use Otter AI to streamline the process of transcribing interviews, meetings, and events. Journalists can import recordings into Otter to get a searchable transcript. They can then highlight quotes, add comments, and easily export the text for video captions. Podcasters and video creators can also use Otter to record remote interviews.
Third-Party Integrations
Riverside FM’s Integrations
Riverside FM integrates with several platforms to streamline the process of editing, publishing, and sharing content. Let's take a look at some of its key integrations:
Editing Software Integrations
For those using external editing software, Riverside FM provides integrations to smoothly transfer audio/video recordings. Users can import their Riverside FM recordings into popular tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition, and Final Cut Pro. This allows for a seamless workflow when further editing or enhancing the recorded content.
Publishing and Distribution Integrations
Riverside FM also offers integrations with platforms like Spotify, Transistor, and Castos to simplify post-production. With the Spotify for Podcasters integration, users can record and edit directly from Riverside FM and publish their podcast content to Spotify. The Transistor integration enables publishing audio along with its transcript, making it easy to distribute episodes to major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Similarly, the Castos integration allows for publishing both audio and video content.
CRM Integration
Additionally, Riverside FM integrates with HubSpot, a popular CRM platform. This integration allows users to leverage audience registration data collected through Riverside FM to create and update contacts in HubSpot, facilitating targeted marketing efforts.
Otter AI’s Integrations
Otter AI offers integrations with popular productivity and collaboration tools:
Video Conferencing Tools
Otter AI directly integrates with the most popular video conferencing platforms—Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet—to provide a seamless experience. For scheduled meetings, Otter AI will automatically join the call as a virtual participant. During the meeting, users can view the live transcript and highlight key moments. The host can also set Otter AI to capture slides. After the meeting, the recording and transcript are available in Otter AI for review and sharing.
Cloud Storage Platforms
Otter AI integrates with several cloud storage platforms for easy access and backup. Finished meeting notes can be automatically exported to tools like Egnyte, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Microsoft SharePoint, or Dropbox. This allows organizations to store meeting data in their preferred repository and apply existing retention and security policies. Users can also import audio and video files from these storage platforms into Otter AI for transcription.
CRM Platforms
For sales teams, Otter AI offers integrations with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot. Meeting insights like key topics, action items, and attendees are automatically logged as notes in the relevant CRM record. This eliminates manual data entry and provides a more complete history of client interactions over time. The transcription from Otter AI is also attached for easy reference.
Calendar Apps
As mentioned, Otter AI syncs with users' calendars to automate meeting note-taking. It scans upcoming events and allows users to choose which ones they want Otter AI to join. This works with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. Based on users' scheduling preferences, Otter AI starts taking notes at the designated meeting time without any manual setup required.
Available Support
Available Support from Riverside FM
Riverside FM provides several support options for users seeking assistance or guidance. Here are the available channels for getting help from the Riverside FM team:
Live Chat
Users can access live chat support directly from within the Riverside FM app. This chat feature allows for real-time communication with a support representative, enabling quick resolution of queries or issues.
For less urgent matters or detailed inquiries, users can reach out to the Riverside FM support team via email at support@riverside.fm.
Support Tickets
Riverside FM also offers a ticketing system for users to submit support requests. Tickets can be created through their website.
Help Center
In addition to personalized support, Riverside FM maintains an online help center. This resource repository contains articles, guides, and frequently asked questions covering various aspects of using the platform. The help center is searchable, making it easy for users to find relevant information and troubleshoot common issues independently.
Available Support from Otter AI
Below are the primary channels through which users can seek assistance from Otter AI.
Tickets
Users can submit support tickets through Otter AI's website to get help with account issues, billing, feature requests, and more. The support form collects key details about the user's issue and routes it to the appropriate team. Otter AI has separate queues for sales questions, press inquiries, and general support.
Otter AI Chatbot
In addition to answering questions about meetings, Otter's AI chatbot also provides support. Users can ask the chatbot things like how to change their account settings, upgrade their plan, or troubleshoot common technical issues. The chatbot scans Otter AI's knowledge base to find relevant help articles and instructions. If the chatbot can't fully resolve the issue, it will create a support ticket for human follow-up.
Help Center
Otter AI has an online help center with articles and tutorials covering various aspects of the software. The content is organized into categories like Getting Started, Account Settings & Billing, and Announcements. Users can browse the topics or search for specific keywords, like "OtterPilot" or "Zoom." The articles provide step-by-step guidance with screenshots.
Cost Structure
Riverside FM’s Pricing and Plans
Riverside FM offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different user needs and budgets. Let's take a closer look at the available options.
Free Plan
Riverside FM provides a free plan that allows users to explore the platform's basic features. With this plan, users can record up to 2 hours per month, with a maximum of 720p video quality and 44.1 kHz audio. The free plan includes unlimited video calling and access to limited versions of features like Magic Clips, transcription, screen sharing, and live streaming. However, recordings will include a Riverside FM watermark.
Monthly Plan: $19 to $29 per month
For users requiring more advanced features and recording time, Riverside FM offers two paid monthly plans. The Standard plan, priced at $19 per month, includes 5 hours of recording time, up to 4K video quality, and 48 kHz audio. It also removes the Riverside FM watermark. The Pro plan, at $29 per month, offers 15 hours of recording time and additional features like Magic Audio noise reduction, customizable Magic Clips, teleprompter for host and guests, and live studio add-on.
Annual Plan: $15 to $24 per month
Riverside FM also provides annual billing options that offer a discount compared to the monthly plans. The Standard annual plan is priced at $15 per month (billed annually at $180), while the Pro annual plan is $24 per month (billed annually at $288). These annual plans include the same features as their monthly counterparts but require a one-year commitment.
Otter AI’s Pricing and Plans
Otter AI has a free Basic plan with limited features, plus paid Pro plans and Business plans with more comprehensive capabilities. Here are more details:
Free Plan
Otter AI offers a free plan with limited features. It includes 300 minutes of AI transcription per month, with a maximum of 30 minutes per conversation. The free plan supports up to 3 participants in a meeting and 3 audio imports. Free users can export transcripts and sync highlights to calendar events. However, some advanced features like custom vocabulary, live captions, and bulk export are not included.
Monthly Plan: $16.99 to $30 per month
Otter AI has two paid pricing plans with monthly billing. The Pro plan costs $16.99 per user per month and includes 1200 minutes of AI transcription with a maximum of 90 minutes per conversation. It adds features like advanced search, custom vocabulary, speaker identification, and live captions. The Business plan costs $30 per user per month and includes 6000 minutes of AI transcription with a 4-hour limit per conversation. It adds advanced admin controls, usage analytics, and higher priority support.
Annual Plan: $8.33 to $20 per month
Otter AI's annual pricing plans provide a discount compared to monthly billing. The Pro plan costs $8.33 per user per month ($99.96 billed annually) and the Business plan costs $20 per user per month ($240 billed annually). The features are the same as the monthly pricing plans but the annual commitment provides greater savings. Annual subscribers can also roll over unused minutes for up to 3 months.
Advantages
Pros of Using Riverside FM
Riverside FM offers several advantages that make it an attractive choice for podcasters, content creators, and remote recording enthusiasts. Let's explore some of the key benefits of using Riverside FM for your audio/video recording needs.
Free Plan for Testing
One of the standout features of Riverside FM is its free plan, which allows users to explore the platform's basic functionalities without any upfront cost. Although limited in terms of recording time and video quality, the free plan provides an opportunity to test the software and determine if it suits your needs before committing to a paid subscription.
High-Quality Audio/Video Recording
Riverside FM prioritizes the quality of the recorded content, ensuring that users can capture pristine audio and video remotely. By recording locally on each participant's device and then uploading the files to the cloud, Riverside FM minimizes the impact of internet connection issues on the final output. This results in recordings with up to 4K video resolution and 48 kHz audio, providing a professional-grade experience.
Versatile Recording Options
With Riverside FM, users have the flexibility to choose the most suitable recording format for their needs. Whether you require audio-only, audio with video, or a live stream, Riverside FM accommodates various scenarios. The platform supports recording in WAV and MP3 formats, giving you control over the balance between file size and audio quality.
Mobile Accessibility
Recognizing the importance of flexibility in today's fast-paced world, Riverside FM offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. These apps allow users to record, stream, and monitor sessions on the go, extending the platform's functionality beyond desktop computers. While the mobile experience may not be as comprehensive as the desktop version, it still provides a convenient option for remote recording when needed.
Pros of Using Otter AI
Here are some pros of using Otter AI:
Ease of Use
One of Otter AI's standout features is its simplicity and ease of use. Its interface is clean and intuitive, with clear buttons for starting recordings, highlighting text, and sharing notes. This transcription app works across web browsers and mobile without requiring any downloads or complex setup. Even non-technical users can get up and running quickly. The automated scheduling and AI meeting notes and summaries also reduce friction compared to manual alternatives.
Free Plan Available
Otter AI is one of the few transcription tools that offer a free plan. While limited, the free tier still provides a good amount of value. Users get 300 minutes of transcription per month and can sync the meeting notes to their calendar. This allows individuals to try out the core features without any upfront cost. The free plan is sufficient for users with lighter meeting volumes.
Mobile Accessibility
In addition to a web app, Otter AI has full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android. This allows users to record, transcribe, and review meetings on the go.
Drawbacks
Cons of Using Riverside FM
While Riverside FM offers a range of features and benefits, it's essential to consider some of the limitations and potential drawbacks before deciding if it's the right fit for your needs. Let's explore a few cons of using this audio/video recording software.
Limited Editing Capabilities
One of the primary limitations of Riverside FM is its editing capabilities. While the platform includes basic editing tools, such as trimming and combining clips, it lacks the advanced features found in dedicated editing software. Users who require more sophisticated editing options, like precise audio mixing, noise reduction, or complex video transitions, may find Riverside FM's built-in tools insufficient.
Limited Content Repurposing Options
Although Riverside FM provides features like Magic Clips and automatic transcription to facilitate content repurposing, the options are relatively basic compared to more comprehensive solutions like Castmagic. If your workflow heavily relies on efficiently transforming podcast recording or interviews into multiple formats, such as blog posts, social media snippets, or promotional materials, you may find Riverside FM's repurposing capabilities lacking.
Occasional Technical Issues
Despite Riverside FM's focus on delivering high-quality audio/video recordings, some users have reported encountering technical issues occasionally. These can include problems like distorted audio, out-of-sync tracks, or extended processing times for uploading and exporting files. While not widespread, these issues can be frustrating, particularly when working on time-sensitive projects.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While Riverside FM's interface is generally user-friendly, some of its more advanced features may require a learning curve. The platform offers a range of settings and customization options, which can be overwhelming for new users. The Riverside FM team could do a better job helping users get started with using their platform,
Dependence on Internet Connectivity
As a browser-based platform, Riverside FM relies on a stable internet connection for recording, uploading, and accessing content. This dependence on connectivity can be a drawback for users with limited or unreliable internet access. The lack of offline functionality means that any disruption to the internet connection can impact the audio/video recording process or hinder access to previously recorded material.
Cons of Using Otter AI
While Otter AI offers several benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Let's explore a few of its main limitations.
Substandard Transcription Quality
One issue with Otter AI is the accuracy of its transcriptions. While the software generally captures the gist of the conversation, it often struggles with specific words, names, and context and with punctuating sentences. Background noise, overlapping speakers, and accents can exacerbate the problem. This means users may need to spend significant time reviewing and editing the transcript or hire a human transcriber to ensure accuracy. Even with clear audio, Otter AI's transcription accuracy falls short of other audio to text apps like Castmagic.
Very Limited Language Support
Currently, Otter AI can only transcribe English, Spanish, and French. This is a fairly limited selection compared to some other transcription apps. For example, Castmagic supports voice to text in over 60 languages, making it more useful for multilingual teams and global organizations. If you need to transcribe audio in languages beyond the three that Otter AI supports, Castmagic may be a better fit.
Limited Content Output
Otter AI is primarily designed for transcribing meetings and conversations. It lacks features for repurposing meeting content into other formats like blog posts, social media snippets, or newsletters. Users can't directly turn meeting transcripts into more polished, shareable content. This means Otter AI is not ideal for audio/video content creators and marketers who want to efficiently reuse interviews or recordings. Castmagic offers more flexibility and templates for turning video or audio files into transcripts then into multiple content types.
No Offline Access
Otter AI requires an internet connection to work. There's no way to record and transcribe meetings offline. For users who frequently travel or work in low-connectivity environments, this can be a major drawback. The lack of offline support also means that any network issues or outages disrupt the entire workflow. The dependence on a stable internet connection limits Otter AI's reliability and flexibility.
Limited Customer Support
While Otter AI does offer a knowledge base and email support, many users report slow response times and generic answers. There's no live chat or phone support for urgent issues. For large organizations, the lack of premium support options may be a concern. Timely, personalized support is especially important for mission-critical tools like AI meeting apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Riverside FM used for?
Riverside FM is a remote audio/video recording software. It is primarily used by podcasters, interviewers, and content creators who need to capture professional-grade conversations or performances virtually. Riverside FM allows users to record lossless audio and up to 4K video locally on each participant's device, ensuring optimal quality regardless of internet connectivity. The platform also offers features like automated transcription, audio/video editing tools, teleprompter, script support, screen sharing, and post-production tools.
Is Riverside FM free to use?
Riverside FM offers a free plan with limited features and usage restrictions. The free plan includes unlimited video calling and up to 2 hours of audio/video recording time per month, with a maximum of 720p video quality and 44.1 kHz audio. However, recordings made on the free plan will include a Riverside FM watermark. To access advanced features, higher recording quality, and additional recording time, users need to upgrade to one of the paid plans.
How expensive is Riverside FM?
Riverside FM’s paid plans start at $15 per month (billed annually) or $19 per month (billed monthly) for the Standard plan, which includes 5 hours of audio/video recording time, up to 4K video quality, and 48 kHz audio. The Pro plan, priced at $24 per month (billed annually) or $29 per month (billed monthly), offers 15 hours of audio/video recording time and additional features like Magic Audio, teleprompter, and live studio. Enterprise plans with custom pricing are also available for larger organizations with specific requirements.
Who owns Riverside FM?
Riverside FM was founded in 2019 by Nadav Keyson and Gideon Keyson, two brothers with backgrounds in video production and software engineering. The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
What is Otter AI?
Otter AI is a transcription service commonly used for meetings, lectures, interviews, and other spoken content.
Which languages does Otter AI support?
As of now, Otter AI supports transcriptions in English (U.S. and U.K.), Spanish, and French. Users can set their default language for transcription within the app.
What is OtterPilot?
OtterPilot is an AI meeting assistant that automates various aspects of meetings, including joining scheduled meetings, transcribing conversations in real-time, capturing images of slides shared during virtual meetings, and providing AI meeting notes and summaries of key topics discussed.
Is there a limit to the duration of recordings on Otter AI?
The duration limits for recordings depend on the subscription plan. For instance, the Basic plan offers 300 free transcription minutes per month, with a maximum of 30 minutes per recording. Upgrading to Pro or Business plans increases both the monthly transcription minutes and the maximum duration per recording.
Does Otter.ai integrate with other apps?
Yes, Otter.ai integrates with various applications, including calendar apps for scheduling, and virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams for real-time transcriptions.
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