How-to / Productivity
How to make meeting recaps useful with Fathom
Decisions, owners and permissions, checked before anything is shared.
Documentation-based Facts checked on official pages Oct 21, 2026. Interface labels can change.
No affiliate link on this page: we are not a partner of Fathom.
Who this is for: Anyone running recurring calls on Zoom, Google Meet or Teams. You will end with: automatic recordings and a recap you have checked before sharing.
Before you begin
- A Google or Microsoft calendar.
- Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.
- Consent from participants to record.
Sample input
Meeting: a weekly 30-minute project call.
Recap must contain: decisions, owners, due dates, open questions.
Steps
Connect your calendar
Create a free account at fathom.ai and connect Google or Microsoft calendar. With a consumer email, Fathom needs a Zoom, Meet or Teams meeting in the next 7 days to finish sign-up.
Original diagram of step 1, not a screenshot of the product. Checkpoint: your upcoming meetings appear.
Install the desktop app
Fathom recommends its Mac or Windows desktop app even if you use its Zoom app or Chrome extension.
Original diagram of step 2, not a screenshot of the product. Checkpoint: you are signed in on the desktop app.
Choose what gets recorded and shared
In Settings, connect your video platforms. In Auto-Record Settings choose All, External or Internal meetings, then whether attendees receive “Summary & recording”, “Summary only” or “Nothing”.
Original diagram of step 3, not a screenshot of the product. Checkpoint: sharing is set to what participants agreed to.
Review the recap before sharing
After the call, open it in Fathom. Check decisions, owners and dates against the transcript.
Original diagram of step 4, not a screenshot of the product. Checkpoint: every action item has the right owner.
What should you have at the end?
A recording, transcript and a checked recap for each call.
What if something goes wrong?
- Bot did not join
- Check the meeting is on the connected calendar, or add it from the desktop app.
- Summary is generic
- After 5 calls a month, Free uses the General template; upgrade or edit manually.
- Wrong platform
- Connect it under Video Conferencing in Settings.
Quick verdict
Fathom’s free plan includes unlimited recordings, storage and transcription, with advanced AI summaries on your first 5 calls a month. That is enough to set up a reliable recap routine. Always get consent to record.
Best for
- Individuals and small teams with regular video calls
- People who want a searchable transcript
Avoid if
- Participants have not agreed to recording
- You use Linux or a Chromebook (desktop app not supported)
Product details, plans and pricing
The how-to comes first. Below are the product facts, plan limits and prices, taken from official vendor pages. Each fact shows the date it was checked; vendors change plans, so confirm on the official page before you buy.
What is free, and what are the limits?
| Plan | Access type | Key limits (official pricing page) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Renewing free plan | Unlimited recordings, storage and transcription; advanced summaries on first 5 calls a month |
| Premium | Paid | $20/user/month, or $16 on annual billing |
| Team | Trial, then paid | $19/user/month, or $15 annual; 2-user minimum |
Checked Oct 21, 2026 (Team price and trial) and Oct 20, 2026 (other plans).
Which plan do you need?
Free covers most individuals. Premium removes the 5-call limit on advanced summaries; Team adds shared search and highlights.
Alternatives
- Fireflies.ai: AI meeting notes with a free plan.
- Your video platform’s built-in recording and captions.
Sources
- Fathom pricing Not affiliate (checked Oct 21, 2026)
- Fathom quick start guide Not affiliate (checked Oct 20, 2026)
- Free vs Premium Not affiliate (checked Oct 20, 2026)
Written by Mishal Brands Editorial. Spot something outdated? Send a correction.