Head to head · Best Transcription Software
Fireflies vs Grain
Fireflies and Grain score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.
| Criterion | FirefliesLimited | GrainLimited |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market | Small, Mid-Market |
| Pricing | Free tier available; Pro plan at $10/user/mo, Business plan at $19/user/mo (billed annually), and Enterprise at $39/user/mo. | Free tier; from $15 per seat/month. (vendor pricing page, verified 2026-08-06) |
Fireflies
- Specialized in business meeting transcription
- AI search feature for specific words and topic filtering
- Conversation Intelligence with post-meeting notes, talk time, and sentiment analysis
- Only 7 languages supported — less than many competitors
- Post-meeting notes feature locked behind Business tier ($29/month)
- Free tier has limited transcription
Grain
- Generous free version — up to 100 meetings via virtual meeting integrations
- Integrates with Zoom, Google Meets, and Slack
- 22 language support for transcription
- Live transcription only available in English
- Importing raw video/audio files requires paid tier ($19/month)
- Free tier limited to virtual meeting integrations only
Common questions
Is Fireflies or Grain better?
Fireflies and Grain score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality. Fireflies scores 2.6/5 and Grain scores 2.5/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Fireflies or Grain?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Fireflies scores 4.5/5 and Grain scores 4.5/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
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Both tools are scored in Best Transcription Software. See alternatives to Fireflies or alternatives to Grain.
