Menutes vs tl;dv – Detailed Comparison (2026)
tl;dv is a meeting recording and transcription tool focused on Google Meet and Zoom. It's popular with sales and product teams for its video clip highlighting, CRM integrations, and generous free plan. tl;dv is based in Europe (Germany) and emphasizes GDPR compliance.
TL;DR
Both Menutes and tl;dv offer EU-based data handling, but they serve different meeting types. Menutes is built for in-person meetings with device recording and 50+ languages. tl;dv focuses on virtual meetings with video highlighting and CRM integrations. Choose Menutes for in-room capture; choose tl;dv for video meeting clips and sales workflows.
What is tl;dv?
tl;dv is a meeting recording and transcription tool focused on Google Meet and Zoom. It's popular with sales and product teams for its video clip highlighting, CRM integrations, and generous free plan. tl;dv is based in Europe (Germany) and emphasizes GDPR compliance.
Feature comparison at a glance
| Feature | Menutes | tl;dv |
|---|---|---|
| In-person meeting recording | Native: record from device microphone | Not supported, virtual meetings only |
| Virtual meeting recording | System audio and browser extension | Native Zoom and Google Meet recording with video |
| Video recording | Audio-only transcription | Full video recording with clip highlighting |
| AI summaries | Structured meeting minutes (decisions, actions, next steps) | AI notes with timestamps, action items, and key moments |
| Languages | 50+ languages | 30+ languages |
| Data hosting | EU (Estonia-based company) | EU (Germany-based company) |
| Free plan | 5 hrs/month, 30-day history | Unlimited recordings, limited AI credits |
| Paid pricing | From €10/month | From €18/user/month (Pro) |
How do Menutes and tl;dv handle data privacy differently?
Both Menutes and tl;dv are European companies with GDPR compliance built in, which sets them apart from US-based competitors like Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai. Menutes is built by AI Eesti OÜ in Estonia, while tl;dv is operated from Germany. Both process data within the EU.
The key difference is in what data gets collected. tl;dv records full video and audio of virtual meetings, which means more personal data is stored, including facial expressions, visual backgrounds, screen shares. Menutes records audio only and focuses on extracting the text and structure of conversations.
For organizations with strict data minimization policies (a GDPR principle), Menutes' audio-only approach collects less personal data by design. For teams that need video records for training, sales coaching, or UX research, tl;dv's video capabilities are valuable.
Which platform is better for in-person meetings?
This is the clearest differentiator. Menutes is specifically designed for in-person meeting capture. Open the app, press record, and the AI transcribes with speaker diarization. No meeting link or virtual platform needed. This works in conference rooms, offices, restaurants, or anywhere people meet face to face.
tl;dv requires a Zoom or Google Meet call to function. It works by joining the virtual meeting as a recorder/participant. If your meeting isn't on one of these platforms, tl;dv can't capture it.
For teams that primarily work in-person or in hybrid settings where some meetings happen in a room, Menutes provides coverage that tl;dv simply can't. For fully remote teams on Zoom/Meet, tl;dv's native integrations and video recording offer a richer virtual meeting experience.
How do the free plans compare?
tl;dv has one of the most generous free plans in the market, offering unlimited meeting recordings with limited AI features. This makes it easy to try without commitment. However, the free plan's AI capabilities (summaries, action items) are restricted.
Menutes' free plan offers 5 hours of transcription per month with 30-day meeting history. This is enough for 2-3 typical meetings per week and includes full AI summarization on every recording. The limitation is the history window, not the AI features.
For light users who want unlimited recording storage, tl;dv's free plan is more permissive. For users who want full AI features on every meeting (even if fewer recordings are stored), Menutes' free plan gives you the complete experience in a limited window.
When should you choose Menutes over tl;dv?
Choose Menutes if your team meets in person regularly, needs transcription in 50+ languages (compared to tl;dv's 30+), wants structured meeting minutes with clear decision tracking, or prefers audio-only capture for data minimization. Menutes is also more affordable at €10/month versus tl;dv's €18/user/month.
Choose tl;dv if your team is fully remote on Zoom/Google Meet, needs video recording with clip highlighting for sales coaching or user research, wants CRM integrations for sales workflows, or values an unlimited free recording tier.
For hybrid teams, consider which meeting type matters more. If most important decisions happen in-room, Menutes captures what tl;dv cannot. If your revenue-critical meetings are all virtual, tl;dv's video features add significant value.
The verdict
Menutes and tl;dv are both strong EU-based alternatives to US platforms, but they solve different problems. Menutes excels at in-person meeting capture, broader language support, and structured meeting minutes at a lower price. tl;dv shines in virtual meeting recording with video clips, CRM integrations, and a generous free plan. Your choice depends on where your most important meetings happen.
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5 hours of free transcription per month. No credit card required. Works for in-person and virtual meetings.
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