Choose between Fathom, a meeting tool with 38 transcript languages, and Potok, which covers about 30 languages. The decisive difference is input: Fathom does not support uploads of outside recordings, while Potok takes files up to 2 GB through its Telegram bot, with Speaker 1, 2 labels and six export formats.
Transcribe a recording
In Telegram, write to @potok_now_bot and add your file. The finished text appears in the conversation when recognition ends.
Go to @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Facts that matter here
- Fathom translates summaries for 6 languages, but its transcripts are not translated.
- Fathom transcripts can be copied but not downloaded; recordings download as MP4.
- Potok exports TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT files.
- Fathom does not state speaker labels on its public pages; Potok can switch them on.
- On export formats, Fathom lists Transcripts can be copied but not downloaded; recordings download as MP4, and Potok lists TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT.
Side by side
| Fathom | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | 38 languages for transcripts | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | Summaries are translated for 6 languages, transcripts are not | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Not stated on its public pages | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | Transcripts can be copied but not downloaded; recordings download as MP4 | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Telegram bot | Not stated on its public pages | Yes, @potok_now_bot |
| Largest file | Uploads of outside recordings are not supported | Up to 2 GB |
Facts about Fathom come from its public pages and from third-party reviews. They can change; check the vendor's site before you decide.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Where it works | In Telegram, through @potok_now_bot; the bot's mini app takes large files |
| Upload limit | Files up to 2 GB |
| Summary | The result message has a summary button for a digest of the text |
| Recognition | Around 30 languages have good published results; a few more come with warnings |
| Desktop app | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
What people get wrong here
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming Fathom accepts any recording you already have | The file is rejected and the work stalls | Check whether your audio comes from a Fathom meeting first |
| Expecting to download a Fathom transcript as a file | You can only copy the text out | Pick Potok when you need TXT or DOCX files |
| Counting on translated transcripts from either tool | Neither tool translates transcript text | Translate the exported text with a separate tool |
| Assuming speaker labels carry real names | Labels read Speaker 1, 2 instead of names | Rename speakers by hand after exporting the text |
| Deciding from one line of the table alone | A strong line can hide a weak one that matters for your recording | Go through every row and mark the ones that are deal breakers for you |
Next steps
Check your language on the languages page, try a converter from tools or look a term up in the glossary.
Common questions
Can Fathom transcribe a recording made elsewhere?
Fathom's public pages say uploads of outside recordings are not supported, so an existing file needs another tool.
Does Fathom translate transcripts?
It translates summaries for 6 languages, but transcripts are not translated. Potok does not translate text either.
How do I send a file to Potok?
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram and send the file; anything larger than the chat limit goes through the Upload button.
Can I download a Fathom transcript?
Transcripts can be copied but not downloaded, while recordings download as MP4. Potok exports transcripts as files.
How are speakers shown in Potok?
Speakers appear as Speaker 1, Speaker 2 and so on when labels are switched on, not as real names.
What does the table say about speaker labels?
For Fathom it lists Not stated on its public pages, and for Potok it lists Yes, can be switched on. Both entries come from public pages, so check the vendor page before you decide. The wording above follows the vendor page as it was read for this comparison.
Sources
The dates show when each source was opened. Pages are edited over time; read the original before you rely on a detail.
- Fathom, official page, Fathom · checked
- Fathom, official page (help.fathom.video), Fathom · checked
- Fathom, official page (help.fathom.video), Fathom · checked
- Whisper speech recognition system (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
See the result on your recording
Your recording goes to @potok_now_bot as a file or a voice message, and the transcript returns to you in Telegram.
Go to @potok_now_bot in Telegram