> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.useraven.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Raven vs Read.ai

> A free, open-source Read.ai alternative - local-first, no bot, no per-seat fee, with live in-call help instead of after-the-fact analytics.

Read.ai leans into meeting **analytics and coaching** - engagement scores, sentiment, "meeting coach" readouts - captured by a **bot** that joins your calls and stored in its **cloud**, per seat. Raven skips the bot and the cloud: capture is **local**, it's **free** and **open source**, and it helps you **live during** the call.

## At a glance

|                          | Raven                             | Read.ai                                                                      |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Live in-call assist      | **Yes**                           | No - analytics after the call                                                |
| Capture                  | Local, bot-free (Mac + Windows)   | Bot joins Zoom/Meet/Teams                                                    |
| Where your meetings live | Local SQLite                      | Read.ai's cloud (lost if you cancel)                                         |
| Price                    | Free, open source (your own keys) | Free (5 meetings/mo); Pro \$19.75/user/mo (\$15 annual); Enterprise \$29.75+ |
| Open source              | Yes                               | No                                                                           |

## Price

Read.ai's free plan caps you at **5 meetings/month**; unlimited transcripts start at **Pro \$19.75/user/mo** (\$15 annual), and video playback is gated to **Enterprise \$29.75+/user/mo**. Recordings are only accessible while you keep paying.

Raven is free; you pay your own AI/transcription usage (a few dollars a month), keep everything locally, and nothing disappears if you stop.

## What Read.ai does better (honestly)

* Meeting **analytics/coaching** dashboards, engagement metrics, and cross-workspace search.
* Mobile apps and a polished hosted experience.

If you want engagement analytics across a team's meetings, Read.ai is built for that.

## When Raven wins

* You want **help during** the call, not scorecards after.
* You want meetings **local** and permanent - not a cloud archive you lose on cancel.
* You want **no bot** in the call and a **free**, auditable tool.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Download Raven" icon="download" href="https://useraven.ai/download">
    Free, open source, Mac + Windows. Bring your own keys.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compare the field" icon="scale-balanced" href="/compare/best-ai-meeting-assistants">
    Raven vs the whole category, honestly ranked.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>Read.ai pricing verified August 2026 (read.ai/plans-pricing). Vendors change pricing often - confirm before relying on a figure.</Note>