3 min
setup time
Free
unlimited on Zoom
30 sec
summary delivery
Zoom app
native integration
Fathom is the simplest AI note taker to set up. It integrates natively with Zoom as a Zoom app (no separate bot joining your meeting), records on your device, and delivers a formatted summary within 30 seconds of the call ending.
Fathom is completely free and unlimited on Zoom. There is no storage cap, no meeting length limit, and no monthly minute allowance. For Zoom users, it is the fastest path to automatic meeting notes.
Fathom has two installation methods: (1) as a Zoom app that integrates directly into Zoom, or (2) as a desktop app. The Zoom app method is recommended - it has tighter integration and requires no separate window management.
Install Fathom (Zoom App Method - Recommended)
Go to fathom.video and click "Add to Zoom". This takes you to the Zoom Marketplace. Sign in with your Zoom account and authorize the Fathom app. Fathom installs as a Zoom app - it will appear in your Zoom sidebar going forward.
Alternatively, go to the Zoom Marketplace directly at marketplace.zoom.us, search for "Fathom", and click "Add". Authorize the requested permissions (record, access meeting info).
Connect Your Calendar
After installing, go to fathom.video and sign in. Go to Settings > Calendar. Click "Connect Google Calendar" or "Connect Outlook". Fathom will show you upcoming meetings and confirm which ones it will join.
Fathom auto-joins Zoom meetings by default. For Google Meet and Teams, Fathom uses a bot participant (same model as other tools). For Zoom, it records locally via the Zoom app - no bot appears in the attendee list.
During the Meeting: Highlights and Live Transcript
Open the Fathom panel in your Zoom sidebar. You will see the live transcript as the meeting progresses. To mark an important moment: click the Highlight button (star icon) or press the keyboard shortcut (configurable in settings). Highlighted moments are flagged in the summary.
You do not need to do anything for Fathom to work. Recording and transcription happen automatically once the meeting starts. The highlight feature is optional but useful for flagging key decisions or action items in real time.
Access and Share Your Summary
Within 30 seconds of the meeting ending, Fathom delivers a summary to your email and makes it available in the Fathom dashboard at fathom.video. The summary includes: overview paragraph, action items, key topics, and the full transcript with speaker labels.
To share: click the "Share" button in the summary view. Fathom generates a shareable link. You can also copy the action items directly from the summary into your task management tool.
Connect Fathom to Your Other Tools (Optional)
Go to Settings > Integrations. Fathom connects to: HubSpot (auto-log meeting notes to contacts), Salesforce (log to opportunity records), Slack (send summaries to a channel), and Zapier.
For HubSpot: enable the HubSpot integration and map your Zoom meetings to HubSpot contact records. After each call, Fathom pushes a summary to the relevant contact's activity timeline automatically.
Fathom is the fastest-to-value AI note taker for Zoom users. Install, connect calendar, done. The 30-second summary delivery and clean action item extraction make it the default recommendation for individual professionals on Zoom.
Start with the Zoom app install (not the desktop app) and connect your calendar. After your first meeting you will receive an email with the summary - that is the proof of concept. Everything else is optional enhancement.
Comparing costs across tools? Our AI meeting tool pricing guide shows all plans side by side.
Tools Used in This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fathom really free?
Yes. Fathom's free plan is genuinely unlimited on Zoom - no storage caps, no meeting length limits, no monthly minute allowances. The paid Team plan ($19/user/month) adds team sharing features, video highlight reels, and advanced CRM sync. For individual use, the free plan is sufficient for most people.
Does Fathom work on Google Meet?
Yes, but differently than on Zoom. For Google Meet and Teams, Fathom joins as a bot participant (visible in the attendee list). For Zoom, it integrates natively via the Zoom app and does not appear as a separate participant. The output quality is similar on all platforms.
How long does it take to get Fathom summaries?
Approximately 30 seconds after the meeting ends for Zoom (because the recording is local and processed immediately). For Google Meet and Teams where Fathom uses a bot, delivery is typically 2-5 minutes. Both are significantly faster than Zoom's built-in cloud transcript (5-20 minutes).
Can Fathom join Google Meet without me doing anything?
Yes, if you have connected your Google Calendar in Fathom settings. Fathom reads your calendar and sends the bot to Google Meet calls automatically. You do not need to invite Fred or take any action before each meeting.
What is the difference between Fathom free and Team plan?
Free plan: unlimited recordings, AI summaries, action items, basic integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce). Team plan ($19/user/month): team sharing dashboard, video highlight creation, advanced CRM sync with more fields, and manager review features. For solo use, the free plan covers all core needs.
