Observer vs Cluely
Observer is a window you control, without enterprise pricing.
Cluely is the established AI meeting overlay.
Cluely is the bigger brand. Observer is the practical option: a meeting window you can place, size, and see through, playbook actions instead of one generic assist flow, and undetectability included.
Research checked October 2026
What they are
Observer
A live AI meeting assistant with a transparent, draggable, resizable window. Each Playbook brings its own Quick Actions, notes template, and think depth, so a sales call does not work like a standup. Undetectability is included.
Cluely
A mature AI overlay with Customize Cluely modes, default live-insight actions, and real-time web search. Undetectability is the headline feature, and it sits on a separate tier that publicly lists at $149.99/month.
Undetectability too
Yes, Observer is hidden from screen shares and recordings, and it's included in the regular plan. No $150/mo add-on.
Bottom line
Choose Cluely if brand maturity or a larger free allowance matters most. Choose Observer if you want a window you can live in, actions that match the meeting, and undetectability without an enterprise add-on.
Who should pick which
Pick Observer if…
- You want undetectability included, not a $149.99/mo add-on.
- You want a window you can drag, resize, and make transparent so it stays useful during the call.
- You want Playbook-specific actions and notes, not one generic assist flow.
Pick Cluely if…
- You're fine paying enterprise prices for undetectability.
- Cluely's default live-insight actions and Smart Mode are enough.
- An established brand matters more than a configurable window.
Feature comparison
Undetectability included in main paid plan
Observer Pro from $20/mo with FIRST100. Cluely lists screen-share undetectability at $149.99/mo.
Established brand
Window you can drag, resize, and make transparent
Observer's Meeting Window is transparent, movable, and resizable, so you can keep it readable without covering the call. Cluely is a translucent overlay you can hide, with less control over size and placement.
Playbook-specific Quick Actions
Observer switches the buttons with the Playbook: Sales can show Objection and Next Step. Cluely uses Customize Cluely modes plus a shared set of live-insight actions.
Custom actions and custom online searches
Write your own Quick Action and turn on online search when the catalog Lookup is not enough. Cluely offers fact check and real-time web search, not playbook-owned custom search actions.
Normal, Fast, and Deep think modes
Switch think depth mid-call with a shortcut, a click, or a double-click. Cluely has Smart Mode for coding and a default Get Answer flow, not three named think modes you can flip instantly.
Keyboard-first numbered shortcuts
Option + 1–0 runs the action in that slot. Cluely is built around Cmd/Ctrl + Enter, Tab, and a few assist shortcuts.
Meeting notes templates by conversation type
Notes headings live on the Playbook, so a sales recap is not a standup recap. Cluely takes notes and can score the call afterward; the structure is not playbook-templated the same way.
Send notes to Notion
Observer can push notes to a Notion page or database. Cluely's public integrations center on CRM/ATS, not Notion.
Jump from notes to transcript
Observer notes cite moments you can open in the full transcript.
Visible live transcript
Mac and Windows support
Free trial
Observer: 30 minutes total. Cluely: 3 free meetings per month, no time limit per meeting.
Pricing
Observer
- Pro $20/mo · Max $40/mo with discount code FIRST100.
- Simple pricing with undetectability included, no expensive add-ons.
Cluely
- Starter is free (3 meetings/month).
- Pro is $19.99/month.
- Pro + Undetectability is $149.99/month.
Cluely's free tier is more generous. On paid plans, Observer wins on value: undetectability is included, without a $149.99/mo add-on.