The Verdict
Krisp is a focused, effective tool that does one thing exceptionally well: removing background noise from calls. At $8/month, it is a worthwhile investment for anyone who regularly takes calls from noisy environments, though its limited feature set may not justify a subscription for occasional users.
What It Does
Krisp is an AI-powered noise cancellation app that sits between your microphone and your communication apps. It removes background noise, echo, and unwanted sounds in real time during calls on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. Krisp works as a virtual microphone and speaker device, meaning it integrates with virtually any app that uses audio. Recent updates added meeting transcription, AI-generated summaries, and action item extraction.
What We Liked
- Outstanding Noise Removal: Krisp handles everything from barking dogs and construction noise to keyboard clatter with remarkable effectiveness, consistently outperforming built-in noise suppression in Zoom and Teams.
- Universal Compatibility: Because it works as a system-level audio device, Krisp functions with any communication app without requiring plugins or integrations.
- Minimal Latency: The AI processing adds negligible delay, so conversations feel natural without the awkward lag that some noise cancellation tools introduce.
- Meeting Notes Feature: The added transcription and summary capabilities transform Krisp from a single-purpose tool into a lightweight meeting assistant.
What We Didn’t Like
- CPU Usage on Older Machines: Real-time AI noise processing can spike CPU usage on machines more than three to four years old, occasionally causing fans to spin up during long calls.
- Free Tier Limitations: The free plan restricts noise cancellation to 60 minutes per day, which barely covers a single meeting and feels more like a demo than a usable tier.
- Occasional Voice Distortion: In extremely noisy environments, the AI can clip the edges of your voice or introduce subtle metallic artifacts, though this is rare in typical home office settings.
Pricing Breakdown
Krisp offers a free plan with 60 minutes of daily noise cancellation. The Pro plan at $8/month (billed annually) or $12/month (billed monthly) provides unlimited noise cancellation, unlimited transcription, and AI meeting summaries. Business and Enterprise plans add centralized billing, admin controls, and priority support at custom pricing.
The Bottom Line
Krisp solves a real problem for remote workers and delivers on its promise with minimal friction. The $8/month Pro plan is easy to justify if you take calls from anywhere other than a quiet, dedicated office. The added meeting transcription features sweeten the deal, though they are not yet robust enough to replace a dedicated meeting recorder.
