Plaud says it has sold 2 million AI notetakers and passed $100M in ARR

In short: Plaud says it has shipped over 2 million AI notetaker devices, and its subscription software business now runs at over $100 million in ARR.

What happened

Plaud, a company that sells small recording devices that turn meetings into written notes, said it has sold more than 2 million units. The devices include a pin-style recorder and a thin gadget that can stick to the back of a phone.

Plaud also said its subscription business has reached over $100 million in ARR, which stands for annual recurring revenue. In plain terms, it is an estimate of how much subscription money the company would bring in over a year if customers keep paying at the current rate.

The company’s pitch is that its devices have no screens. It says that helps people focus on the conversation, then review a transcript (a written version of what was said), plus summaries and action items later.

Plaud sells the hardware first, and buyers get 300 minutes of transcription for free. After that, customers can pay for more minutes and extra features through monthly or annual plans. Plaud told TechCrunch that nearly half of device owners upgrade from the basic plan to higher tiers.

Why it matters

Many “AI meeting notes” products are just apps, but Plaud is betting that a dedicated device will appeal to people who sit in meetings all day. The numbers also show how these products often make money like a printer and ink model (the device gets you in the door, and the ongoing subscription brings steady revenue). Competition is growing, with other companies also selling meeting note-taking gadgets.

Source: TechCrunch AI