Omi alternatives. Fewer than you think.
Omi is the open-source AI pendant: $129 on sale and in stock. Of the pendants people compare it with, Limitless is no longer sold, Bee is sold out and owned by Amazon, and Friend is a companion rather than a notetaker. That leaves Plaud.
And if Omi's app is the problem, not the hardware, you can keep the pendant.
Omi and the alternatives
| Omi | Plaud NotePin | Bee | Limitless | Friend | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price and availability | $129 on sale ($179 list); in stock | $159; in stock | $49.99; sold out, US only | Not sold since December 5, 2025 | $249 |
| Subscription | Optional; free tier includes 300 cloud minutes a month | Optional; free 300 minutes a month, Pro $17.99/mo or $99.99/yr | None | Existing owners get Unlimited free | Optional $10/mo for memory beyond 30 days |
| Built for | All-day capture: transcripts, summaries, tasks | Meetings and recordings you start | All-day capture | All-day capture (existing owners) | A companion to talk with, not notes |
| Open source | Yes: hardware, firmware and app | No | No | No | No |
| Trains AI on your data | Not without your explicit permission | Not by default; opt-in only | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Independent (Based Hardware) | Independent | Amazon (since July 2025) | Meta (since December 2025) | Independent |
| Works with Fluent | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Checked October 8, 2026 · Sources: Omi pricing, Omi privacy, Plaud NotePin, Plaud AI plans, Plaud trust, Bee, Limitless, Friend at $249 (The Gadgeteer), Layer3 Limitless vs Bee vs Omi
Pick by your reason for looking
You want a more finished device
Plaud NotePin ($159) is the polished bundle: hardware, app and subscription from one company, built for meetings you choose to record rather than all-day capture.
Battery or setup is the problem
Reviewers and Omi's own support forum point to faster battery drain with live sync and some setup friction. Plaud's recorder runs for about 20 hours.
The app is the problem, not the pendant
Keep the Omi. Fluent pairs with it and turns what it hears into meeting notes, the commitments people made, profiles of the people you talk to, and coaching.
You don't want a pendant at all
For meetings, your phone is enough: Fluent records from your iPhone, so there is no device to buy.
Questions
What is the best alternative to Omi?
If you want a different device, Plaud NotePin ($159), the most finished alternative in stock. A clip-on recorder like Pocket is another option. If you like the Omi hardware but not its app, keep it and use Fluent with it.
Can I still buy a Limitless or Bee pendant?
Limitless stopped selling to new customers on December 5, 2025, after Meta acquired it. Bee, owned by Amazon since July 2025, shows as sold out on its site (checked October 2026).
How much does Omi cost?
Omi's site lists it at $129 on sale, $179 list, with an optional subscription; the free tier includes 300 cloud minutes a month (checked October 2026).
Keep the pendant. Change the app.
Fluent pairs with Omi and Limitless, or records from your iPhone.
Download Fluent for iPhone