The Cluely Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Cluely in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Cluely
The Insider’s Guide
Live AI answers and bot-free notes in a desktop meeting overlay
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI meeting note takers, read from Cluely’s own pages.
Made by Cluely, Inc. · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Cluely’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Cluely’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 13 of the 48 other AI meeting note takers we grade
Cluely is a desktop app for Mac and Windows that listens to a meeting, transcribes it as it happens and shows AI answers and suggestions in an overlay while the call is still running. It also writes meeting notes afterward. It never joins as a bot, and its most expensive plan keeps the overlay out of screen shares, which the company markets as being undetectable.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Cluely, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Nothing to invite to the call: it sits on your own screen, and Cmd or Ctrl + Enter asks for help.
- 1
Best for AI help while the call is still going
Cluely is a Mac and Windows app that listens to a call, reads your screen and shows answers and suggested replies in an overlay while the call runs, then writes notes.
- 2
Paid plans start at $11.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $11.99 per month, billed annually ($143.88 per year).
- 3
There is a free plan
Starter plan: a limited number of AI responses and meeting notes, with the limit resetting every 24 hours, plus custom instructions and up to 3 uploaded files.
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Windows and iOS.
- 5
Real-time answers during a call
Cluely follows the conversation and can read the screen. Pressing Cmd or Ctrl + Enter asks for help, with shortcuts for what to say next, follow-up questions and a recap.
- 6
Meeting notes and transcripts
Records meeting audio, transcribes it and produces shareable notes and drafted follow-up emails. The full transcript can be copied from the dashboard.
- 7
No bot in the meeting
It runs as an overlay on your own computer and never joins the call, so nothing is added to the guest list. It works alongside Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Webex and Slack.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 13 of 48
That is against the other AI meeting note takers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Cluely you would be making a bot that joins your calls and turns the talk into notes. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Cluely at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $11.99 per month, billed annually ($143.88 per year)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS
- Made by
- Cluely, Inc.
- Category
- AI Meeting Notes
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 557 ratings
The report card
Best for AI help while the call is still going
Cluely is a Mac and Windows app that listens to a call, reads your screen and shows answers and suggested replies in an overlay while the call runs, then writes notes. No bot joins. The free limits aren't published, the iPhone app is a separate subscription, hiding the overlay from screen shares costs $44.99 a month on the yearly plan, and notes go to no CRM or task tool.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Pro is $11.99 a month billed yearly, $19.99 monthly, a bit above where notetakers here start. Then the extras bite: the iPhone app is a separate subscription at $8 a week or $144 a year, and keeping the overlay out of screen shares is $44.99 a month even on the yearly deal. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Starter is free but rations both AI responses and meeting notes each day, resetting every 24 hours, and Cluely doesn't publish the numbers. You'll find the ceiling before you find out where it is. |
| Features | C | The live half: it follows the call, reads your screen and offers what to say next on a keypress, then writes up notes, the transcript and a follow-up email. The other half of this job is missing, though: nothing on the listing sends a note anywhere, no CRM, no task tool, no team space. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.7 from about 560 App Store ratings, which is short of the 1,000 our A asks for. Nothing to invite to the call: it sits on your own screen, and Cmd or Ctrl + Enter asks for help. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Mac, Windows and iPhone, working alongside Zoom, Meet, Teams, Webex and Slack. No Android app and no web version, Windows 10 isn't supported, and the Mac needs macOS Ventura 13 or later. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Cluely is for
- Fits if you want prompts during a call, not only a recap after it
- Works for Mac and Windows users who want notes with no bot on the guest list
Who it is not for
- Pricey if you add extras: the iPhone app is a separate $144 a year, and hiding the overlay from screen shares is $44.99 a month yearly
- Skip it if you're on Android or Windows 10, as neither is supported, and Macs need Ventura 13 or later
- Not for you if you might want your money back, as refunds are limited to 24 hours and to it not running on your computer
- Watch out: the free plan rations AI responses and notes each day, and Cluely doesn't publish the limits
- Too light for teams that want notes filed in a CRM, task tool or shared team space, as none is listed
Good to know
Good for
- People who want AI help during a call, not only a recap afterward
- Mac and Windows users who want notes without a bot joining
- Sales and support calls where quick answers are needed mid-conversation
Worth knowing
- The free plan caps AI responses and meeting notes per day; Cluely does not publish the exact numbers.
- Hiding the overlay from screen sharing costs $149.99 a month, or $44.99 a month billed annually.
- It needs macOS Ventura 13 or later or Windows 11. Windows 10 is not supported, and the mobile app is iPhone only.
- Cluely lists live transcription in 12+ languages. Refunds are limited to 24 hours and to cases where it will not run on your computer.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$11.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Cluely has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 per month, billed annually ($143.88 per year).
You'll find the ceiling before you find out where it is.
Starter
$0
Limited AI responses and limited meeting notetaking each day, custom instructions with up to 3 files, and AI questions about past meetings.
Pro
$11.99
per month, billed annually ($143.88); $19.99 billed monthly
Unlimited AI responses, unlimited meeting notetaking, unlimited files and customization, access to the latest AI models and priority support.
Mobile
$8
per week, or $144 billed annually
Subscription for the iPhone app: real-time meeting insights, AI responses on mobile and sync across devices.
Pro + Undetectability
$44.99
per month, billed annually ($539.88); $149.99 billed monthly
Everything in Pro, plus an overlay that is hidden from meeting screen-sharing software. It is the only current plan with that feature.
The free plan
Starter plan: a limited number of AI responses and meeting notes, with the limit resetting every 24 hours, plus custom instructions and up to 3 uploaded files.
Read from cluely.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Lower monthly rate on annual billing
At listed prices Pro drops from $19.99 to $11.99 a month and Pro + Undetectability from $149.99 to $44.99 a month when billed annually.
Stated on cluely.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Cluely Mobile Weekly”, against $7.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $9.99 | $7.02 | 12% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 129ribu | $7.21 | 10% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 499.00 | $7.94 | about the same |
| Turkey | ₺399,99 | $8.13 | about the same |
| Mexico | $179.00 | $9.84 | 23% more |
| Brazil | R$ 49,90 | $9.97 | 25% more |
| Germany | 8,99 € | $10.07 | 26% more |
| United Kingdom | £7.99 | $10.56 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and iOS
Live AI answers and bot-free notes in a desktop meeting overlay. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, meeting notes, transcription, chat assistant.
The other half of this job is missing, though: nothing on the listing sends a note anywhere, no CRM, no task tool, no team space.
- Real-time answers during a call
- Cluely follows the conversation and can read the screen. Pressing Cmd or Ctrl + Enter asks for help, with shortcuts for what to say next, follow-up questions and a recap.
- Meeting notes and transcripts
- Records meeting audio, transcribes it and produces shareable notes and drafted follow-up emails. The full transcript can be copied from the dashboard.
- No bot in the meeting
- It runs as an overlay on your own computer and never joins the call, so nothing is added to the guest list. It works alongside Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Webex and Slack.
- Hidden from screen share
- On Pro + Undetectability the overlay does not appear in shared screens or meeting recordings. The standard Pro plan does not include this.
- Custom instructions and files
- Give Cluely your own prompts and upload reference files to shape its answers. Starter allows up to 3 files and Pro is unlimited. Cluely lists custom keybinds among its Pro features.
- iPhone app
- Takes meeting notes and gives live answers from a phone, with notes synced online. The app is currently for Apple devices only, and the pricing page lists a separate Mobile subscription.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
What it works with
- Zoom
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
- Webex
- Slack
Cluely is made by Cluely, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
13/48
Other AI meeting note takers it is graded above
Cluely's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 13 of the 48 other AI meeting note takers we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 20 of 48) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $11.99 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 27 of the 47 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 15 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 49 AI meeting note takers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Cluely’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 13 of 48
- CFree plan and trialAbove 5 of 48
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 48
- BEase of useAbove 20 of 48
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 6 of 48
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 48 AI meeting note takers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Cluely is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Cluely you would be making a bot that joins your calls and turns the talk into notes. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 26 of the 48 other AI meeting note takers grade higher. It costs $143.88 a year.
What you could not
- A bot that joins your calls and turns the talk into notes.
- An AI model, which you can rent by the request but not make.
- Speech turned into text you can trust.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams among them.
What this rests on. Cluely’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Granola, Otter.ai, Jamie, Krisp and Bluedot
The 5 tools Cluely is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
Granola
Free plan · from $14/mo
AI notepad that transcribes meetings from device audio, no bot.
- Only Granola lists an Android app.
- Granola also covers templates.
- 3.0GPA
Otter.ai
Free plan · from $8.33/mo
Live meeting transcription with summaries and AI chat.
- Only Otter.ai lists a web app.
- Only Otter.ai lists an Android app.
- Only Otter.ai lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
Jamie
Free plan · from €21/mo
Bot-free AI note taker with EU data hosting.
- Only Jamie lists an Android app.
- Jamie also covers templates.
- 3.0GPA
Krisp
Free trial · from $8/mo
Noise cancellation and bot-free AI meeting notes in one app.
- Cluely has a free plan. Krisp does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Krisp lists an Android app.
- Only Krisp lists a browser extension.
- 2.6GPA
Bluedot
Free trial · from $14/mo
Bot-free meeting recorder and AI notetaker for every platform.
- Cluely has a free plan. Bluedot does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Bluedot lists a web app.
- Only Bluedot lists an Android app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Cluely free?
Cluely has a free plan. Starter plan: a limited number of AI responses and meeting notes, with the limit resetting every 24 hours, plus custom instructions and up to 3 uploaded files.
How much does Cluely cost?
Cluely lists 4 plans. Starter: $0.
What platforms does Cluely work on?
Cluely is available on macOS, Windows and iOS.
Does Cluely offer any discounts?
Cluely publicly lists the following: Lower monthly rate on annual billing.
How is Cluely rated?
Cluely's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 557 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does Cluely have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Cluely is listed for macOS, Windows and iOS.
Does Cluely have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Cluely is listed for macOS, Windows and iOS.
Is Cluely open source?
Cluely is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
What does Cluely integrate with?
Cluely's listing names Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex and Slack.
Who makes Cluely?
Cluely is made by Cluely, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Cluely?
The closest alternatives to Cluely in our directory are Granola, Otter.ai, Jamie, Krisp and Bluedot.
How does Cluely compare with other AI meeting note takers?
Cluely's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 13 of the 48 other AI meeting note takers we grade, and level with 9.
Is Cluely good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Cluely C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $11.99 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 27 of the 47 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Cluely?
To replace Cluely you would be making a bot that joins your calls and turns the talk into notes.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Cluely’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cluely's own pages on 5 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-01-17.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Cluely, Inc. Prices change, so check cluely.com before you buy.
- cluely.com/
- cluely.com/pricing
- cluely.com/mobile
- cluely.com/terms
- support.cluely.com/en/articles/11127977-using-cluely-for-free
- support.cluely.com/en/articles/12665173-cluely-pro-vs-pro-undetectability
- support.cluely.com/en/articles/11628643-what-are-the-system-requirements
- support.cluely.com/en/articles/11128040-refund-policy
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Cluely, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cluely
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Cluely: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cluely
Know someone choosing between AI meeting note takers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cluely/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded AI meeting note takers after Cluely, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Meeting Notes Insider's GuideEvery one of the 49 AI meeting note takers we grade, compared
- HyNote Insider's GuideAI note taker for meetings, audio, PDFs and videos3.4 GPA
- Wave AI Insider's GuideAI note taker and recorder for meetings, calls and lectures3.4 GPA
- Fireflies.ai Insider's GuideMeeting notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes calls3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Cluely’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Cluely is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Cluely, Inc. Prices and plans change: check cluely.com before you buy.