Otter.ai vs Raycast: Free Credits, Pricing & Eligibility Compared (2026)

Otter.ai offers a 20% discount on Pro plans for verified students and teachers, while Raycast gives students 50% off Raycast Pro alongside a permanent free Launcher tier. Here is the full breakdown of pricing, eligibility, and step-by-step claiming rules for both tools.

Otter.ai vs Raycast Student Pricing and Benefits

Choosing between Otter.ai and Raycast depends on whether you need automated meeting transcription or an extensible desktop launcher with developer tools. Both platforms offer strong educational discounts, but their pricing models and tiers operate differently.

Discount Breakdown and Plan Tiers

Otter.ai provides a 20% savings on its individual Pro tier for users with valid academic credentials. This reduces the Pro subscription to roughly $13.59 monthly or $79.99 annually, giving you higher transcription limits, custom vocabulary, and advanced search features.

Raycast offers a 50% discount on its Pro plan for verified students. On top of that, Raycast provides a robust free Launcher plan that never expires, allowing you to control your Mac workflow without spending anything unless you upgrade for custom AI features.

Eligibility Rules and Claiming Process

Before applying, make sure your account setup matches each company's verification requirements. Mistakes during sign-up can delay your discount approval or result in full-price auto-renewals.

Verification Requirements

Otter.ai strictly requires an official .edu email address linked to an accredited K-12 or higher education institution. Faculty and full-time educational staff are also eligible for the discount. In some cases where email domain verification fails, Otter may ask for an official institutional letter.

Raycast requires students to submit a manual application form. While an academic email is recommended, Raycast reviews submissions individually to verify active student status, making it accessible to non-US students who might not hold a .edu email address.

• Otter.ai Verification: Valid .edu email address or proof of employment at an educational non-profit.
• Raycast Verification: Student verification application form details (school name, student ID, or transcript).
• Add-on Limitations: Raycast's 50% discount applies strictly to Raycast Pro and excludes the Advanced AI add-on.
• Team Exclusions: Otter.ai's discount is strictly for individual Pro subscriptions and cannot be applied to Business or Team plans.

How to Switch or Upgrade Accounts

If you already have an existing account, pay close attention to how upgrade paths work for both services to avoid paying extra upfront.

1. Otter.ai Path: Log in with your .edu email, navigate to the Upgrade section, and select the Student & Teacher option before checking out. Existing Pro users must cancel their paid plan first before re-subscribing under the student rate.
2. Raycast Path: Install the free Raycast Launcher, navigate to the Raycast pricing page, submit the student discount form, and wait for email confirmation before purchasing Pro.