Plaud NotePin S vs Plaud Note Pro: which one should you buy?

Pick Plaud NotePin S if you want a wearable that clips to your collar and captures in-person conversations hands-free. Pick Plaud Note Pro if you also record phone calls, work in larger rooms, or want the longest battery in the lineup. The price gap is only $10 ($179 vs $189), so the decision comes down to how and where you record, not budget.

Plaud NotePin S is a wearable AI note taker for in-person conversations on the go, and Plaud Note Pro is a physical AI note taker for in-person meetings and phone calls. Both belong to Plaud's lineup of AI note takers, run on the same Plaud Intelligence, come with the same free Starter Plan, and sync to the same Plaud App, Web, and Desktop. Here is who each one suits, followed by the five differences behind it.

Who should buy which?

Still unsure? The Plaud device comparison puts all models side by side.

Plaud NotePin S vs Plaud Note Pro at a glance

The short version: Plaud NotePin S is built to be worn, and Plaud Note Pro is built to cover calls and bigger rooms.

Do you need to record phone calls?

If you record phone calls, buy Plaud Note Pro. Plaud NotePin S records in-person conversations only.

Plaud Note Pro has a VPU (voice pickup unit) that picks up call audio when the device is attached to the back of your phone with its magnetic case. It also detects whether you are on a call or in a meeting and switches modes by itself, so you press one button and get the right recording either way.

Plaud NotePin S has no call mode. It is designed for face-to-face talks: client visits, site walks, interviews, ward rounds, and conversations that happen away from a desk. If phone calls are a small part of your week and online meetings are the bigger part, keep in mind that Plaud Desktop records online meetings on your computer without a bot joining, and it comes with every plan.

Where will you carry it: on your collar or on your phone?

Plaud NotePin S lives on your body. Plaud Note Pro lives on your phone or the table in front of you.

Plaud NotePin S weighs 17.4 g and ships with all four ways to wear it: a magnetic pin, a clip, a lanyard, and a wristband. It suits people whose hands are busy or whose conversations happen while walking, such as real estate agents, field technicians, and clinicians. Plaud NotePin and Plaud NotePin S are the world's most wearable physical AI note takers, and that is the reason to choose this form.

Plaud Note Pro is credit-card sized and 2.99 mm thin. Its magnetic case snaps onto the back of your phone, so it goes wherever your phone goes. You can also set it down in the middle of a meeting table. If you never want to think about one more thing on your shirt, Plaud Note Pro is the easier habit.

How big is the room you record in?

For one-on-one talks, both capture clear audio. For a conference room or a group, Plaud Note Pro reaches further.

Plaud Note Pro uses a 4 MEMS microphone array with AI-Beamforming and picks up voices up to 16.4 feet away. Plaud NotePin S uses two MEMS microphones with a range of up to 9.8 feet. Worn on your collar, Plaud NotePin S stays close to you and the person you are talking with, which is what it is designed for. On a table in a 10-person meeting, the extra range of Plaud Note Pro matters more.

A quick test: think about your most common meeting. If everyone sits within arm's reach, Plaud NotePin S is enough. If people sit across a long table, choose Plaud Note Pro.

How long do you record between charges?

Plaud Note Pro records far longer: up to 50 hours in Endurance mode versus up to 20 hours on Plaud NotePin S.

Twenty hours covers about a full work week of meetings for most people, so Plaud NotePin S is fine if you charge it on its dock every few days. Plaud Note Pro offers up to 30 hours in Enhance mode for the best audio, or up to 50 hours in Endurance mode, and stands by for up to 60 days. If you travel, attend multi-day conferences, or forget to charge things, Plaud Note Pro is the safer choice.

Do you want a screen?

Only Plaud Note Pro has a display. Plaud NotePin S keeps a screen-free design.

Plaud Note Pro's InstantView AMOLED display shows recording status, time, and battery at a glance, so you can confirm it is recording without opening the app. Both have a physical tactile button and Press to Highlight, which lets you tap during a conversation to flag a key moment for your summary.

What stays the same on both

You get the same AI, the same plans, and the same apps with either device.

• Plaud Intelligence: transcription in 112+ languages, 10,000+ summary templates, and Ask Plaud work the same on both.
• Plans: every device includes the free Starter Plan with 300 transcription minutes per month. The Plaud Pro Plan and Plaud Unlimited Plan work across all your Plaud devices. See the Plaud AI plans and pricing for details.
• Storage and tracking: both store 64 GB on the device and support Apple Find My, which helps if you leave one behind.

If you are weighing Plaud NotePin S against its sibling instead, our Plaud NotePin vs Plaud NotePin S breakdown covers the button, highlight, and accessory differences.

Match the device to your workday

Look at last week's calendar. If most of your important conversations happened face to face and on the move, get Plaud NotePin S and wear it. If calls and group meetings filled your week, choose Plaud Note Pro and keep it on your phone. Either way, your notes, summaries, and plan carry over if you add the other device later.

For back-to-back conversations

• Smart dual-mode: Auto detects calls and in-person conversations.
• Pro performance: 0.12 in thin, 5 m pickup, 30 hours recording,

Shop Note Pro

For hands-free capture on the go

• Versatile options: Wear it as a lanyard, wristband, clip, or pin.
• Lightweight: 0.61 oz, 20 hours recording, 64GB storage.

Shop NotePin S

Ideal for hybrid work, 
calls & meetings

• Dual-mode recording: Capture calls and in-person conversations.
• Ultra-thin: 0.12 in, 30 hours recording, 64GB storage.

Shop Note

Ideal for hands-free, 
in-person conversations

• Versatile options: Wear it as a lanyard, wristband, clip, or pin.
• Lightweight: 0.61 oz, 20 hours recording, 64GB storage.

Shop NotePin