Tactiq Review

What Makes Tactiq Different

Every other major meeting transcription tool — Otter.ai, Fireflies, Fathom — joins your call as a visible participant. Other attendees see a bot icon and a 'Notetaker has joined' notification. Tactiq avoids this entirely. It runs as a Chrome extension that captures meeting audio from your browser tab, producing transcripts without anyone knowing you're recording. For consultants joining client calls, job candidates in interviews, or anyone who finds meeting bots socially awkward, this discreet approach solves a real friction point.

The free plan includes 10 meetings per month with transcription and AI summaries. Pro at $10/month per user removes limits and adds advanced features. With 60+ languages supported and real-time transcripts visible during the call, Tactiq offers a lightweight alternative to heavier meeting platforms.

How the Bot-Free Approach Works

Tactiq captures meeting audio directly from your browser tab using the Chrome extension. Since it doesn't join the call as a separate participant, there's no bot appearing in the participant list and no notification sent to other attendees. This works for Zoom (web client), Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams when running in Chrome.

The limitation is clear: it only works in Chrome. If you use the Zoom desktop app or Teams desktop client, Tactiq can't capture the audio. You need to join meetings through the browser for Tactiq to function. For Google Meet users this is seamless since Meet runs in Chrome by default. Zoom and Teams users may need to adjust their workflow.

Transcription Quality

Tactiq's transcription accuracy is solid for clear English audio with a good microphone. Speaker identification works well, labeling each person's contributions even in group discussions. The 60+ language support with automatic detection is broader than many competitors — you don't need to manually specify the meeting language beforehand.

The real-time transcript display is a valuable differentiator. During the meeting, you see a live transcript in a side panel. You can highlight key moments, tag action items, and annotate the transcript as the conversation happens — rather than waiting until the meeting ends to review what was said.

AI Summaries and Action Items

After each meeting, Tactiq generates AI summaries that extract decisions, topics discussed, and action items. The custom action item templates are a thoughtful feature — you can define what the AI should look for (deadlines, assignments, blockers, decisions) and it filters the transcript accordingly. This is more targeted than the generic summary most tools produce.

The follow-up email drafting feature takes this further: Tactiq generates email drafts based on meeting context, ready to send with minimal editing. For people who regularly need to send meeting recaps, this saves 10-15 minutes per meeting.

Integrations

Tactiq connects with Slack, Notion, Linear, and HubSpot. The Notion integration is well-executed — meeting notes land directly in your Notion workspace with proper formatting. The Linear integration appeals to engineering teams by converting action items into Linear tickets. Missing integrations include Salesforce, Asana, and Zapier, which limits flexibility for some workflows.

Pricing Breakdown

The free plan covers 10 meetings per month with basic transcription and AI summaries. For casual meeting-goers, 10 meetings is often enough. Pro at $10/month per user unlocks unlimited meetings, custom action item templates, follow-up email generation, and all integrations. Compared to Otter.ai Pro ($16.99/month) and Fireflies Pro ($18/month), Tactiq is the most affordable paid option in the meeting transcription category.

The per-user pricing does add up for teams. A 10-person team would pay $100/month for Tactiq Pro, which is competitive but not cheap. Fathom's free individual plan might be a better fit for teams where only some members need transcription.

Chrome Extension Limitations

Being Chrome-only is both Tactiq's strength and weakness. The extension-based approach enables bot-free transcription, but it means no support for Safari, Firefox, or desktop apps. If your organization standardizes on a non-Chrome browser, Tactiq is not an option. There are also no native mobile apps — you can't use Tactiq for phone meetings or in-person recordings.

Privacy Considerations

The bot-free approach has an interesting privacy dimension. On one hand, it's more private in the sense that other participants aren't notified about recording. On the other hand, recording without notification raises ethical and legal questions depending on your jurisdiction. Many states and countries require all-party consent for recording. Tactiq includes a disclaimer in their terms, but the responsibility falls on the user to comply with local recording laws.

Who Should Use Tactiq

Tactiq fits people who want meeting transcription without the social friction of a visible bot. Consultants, freelancers, and professionals in client-facing roles benefit most from the discreet approach. The 10 free meetings per month are adequate for people who don't attend dozens of meetings weekly. Engineering teams will appreciate the Linear integration for converting action items into tickets.

Skip it if you use desktop apps instead of browser-based meetings, need mobile recording, or prefer the transparency of a visible meeting bot. Also consider local recording laws before using any tool that records without visible notification.

Verdict

Tactiq is the most discreet meeting transcription tool available — no bots, no notifications, just a Chrome extension capturing audio in the background. The 10 free meetings/month and $10/mo Pro plan make it affordable, and the real-time transcript display during meetings is genuinely useful. Best for consultants and client-facing professionals who find meeting bots awkward. Not suitable for desktop app users or mobile recording.