Is Otter.ai HIPAA Compliant for Therapists?
Quick Answer
No, unless you are on Otter.ai's Enterprise plan. Otter announced HIPAA compliance in mid-2025, but its Basic, Pro, and Business plans — what most solo therapists actually use for note-taking — do not include a Business Associate Agreement. Because this is a relatively new compliance program, confirm current details directly with Otter before transcribing any client session.
Written & fact-checked by the Therapy HIPAA Hub editorial team — see our editorial standards.
Verified August 2026 against Otter.ai's official HIPAA compliance announcement
BAA Available?
Yes
On Which Plan
Enterprise plan only
Do not run Otter.ai on any plan below Enterprise during a real client session — this includes using it 'just to transcribe,' since the audio and transcript themselves are PHI the moment a client is identifiable, regardless of what you do with the output afterward.
What to Use Instead for Client Work
For AI-assisted session notes, look at note-taking tools built specifically for therapy that include a BAA at a practice-appropriate plan level, or use SimplePractice's built-in note templates, which don't require a separate transcription tool at all.
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A New Program Worth Double-Checking
Otter announced its HIPAA compliance program in mid-2025 — recent enough that it's worth re-verifying details directly with Otter before depending on it, since young compliance programs sometimes have plan-tier or feature details that shift as the vendor works out the details. Their announcement confirms compliance exists but doesn't itemize which plan tiers are covered.
Basic and Pro Plans Stay Off-Limits
The plans most solo therapists already pay for — Basic, Pro, and standard Business — do not include a Business Associate Agreement based on Otter's plan structure; only Enterprise does. This means the free-form 'let me just record and transcribe this session' habit many people have on personal Otter accounts is not compliant the moment a client's identifiable information is in the recording.
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FAQ — Otter.ai and HIPAA
Can I use my personal or Pro Otter.ai account to transcribe therapy sessions?
No. Otter's Business Associate Agreement is only available on its Enterprise plan. Basic, Pro, and standard Business plans do not include HIPAA coverage.
How long has Otter.ai been HIPAA-compliant?
Otter announced its HIPAA compliance program in mid-2025 — a relatively recent addition, so it's worth confirming current plan-tier details directly with Otter before relying on it for client sessions.
Is the transcript itself considered PHI, even if I don't save the audio?
Yes. If the transcript identifies a client and touches on their treatment, it is PHI regardless of whether you keep the original audio recording — both need to be handled under a covered, BAA-backed plan.