Description
Granola is a native app for Mac and Windows that records system audio directly instead of joining a Zoom, Meet, or Teams meeting as a participant. As a result, no bot appears in the meeting's participant list, which makes the tool feel more discreet than bot based alternatives, particularly in client conversations and coaching sessions.
The core idea is the combination of your own notes and automatic transcription: during the call you type keywords, and Granola then merges these with the transcript into a structured summary that includes action items and decisions. This is complemented by ready made meeting templates for formats such as 1:1s, sales calls, retros, or interviews, a calendar integration that automatically detects upcoming meetings, and a follow up question feature that lets you search the transcript afterward. New are agents that, according to the source, are meant to automatically write follow up emails or maintain CRM entries.
The limits lie in the platform (no Linux), in the dependency on clean system audio, and in the restricted free tier. A mobile app for iPhone and Android is now available, mainly for taking notes at in person meetings and on phone calls. Shared notes across a team are only included in the paid Business plan. Important for use in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: even without a visible bot, recording a conversation still requires consent, and participants must be informed.
