So, what’s the hype around Cluely?
If you’ve been lurking in sales forums or scrolling through those endless LinkedIn interview prep threads, you’ve probably seen it: “undetectable AI for meetings.” It’s getting hyped as this low-key superpower that listens in, jots down notes, and pretty much spoon-feeds you answers without anyone catching on. Sounds a bit like cheating at a quiz, doesn’t it?
Sales managers and reps are definitely catching wind, especially when they need a quick confidence boost in tricky conversations.The big question is: does Cluely actually improve skills over time, or is it just a shortcut to get through meetings?
In this article, we’ll break down how Cluely works, explore its benefits and drawbacks, and compare it with alternatives like Outdoo AI that focus on lasting sales readiness and team-wide impact.
What Is Cluely AI?
Cluely is an AI-powered tool marketed as “real-time coaching” for job interviews, sales calls, exams, and even dates. It runs invisibly on your desktop and feeds you suggested responses, notes, and context during live conversations without ever showing up on screen or in meeting logs.
In other words, it’s like having a silent co-pilot whispering the right answers just when you need them most. Forgot the details of last quarter’s revenue? Cluely fills in the blanks. Stumped on a tricky interview question? It hands you a polished response. Its promise is bold: no more awkward silences, no more scrambling, just instant confidence at the click of a key.
That blend of utility and stealth is exactly why it’s become a talking point in sales and interview circles, and why it’s getting so much attention from leaders curious about whether it’s a quick fix or the future of live coaching.
What Are the Core Capabilities of Cluely AI?
At its heart, Cluely AI is designed to be more than a meeting note-taker, it aims to act like a real-time performance booster that quietly sits in the background while you focus on the conversation. Instead of waiting until after the call to analyze what went wrong, Cluely jumps in while the moment is still live. Here’s what makes it stand out:
These features are crafted to make Cluely feel like a “second brain” for every meeting, empowering users with confidence while ensuring their workflow remains seamless.
Primary Use Cases of Cluely AI
Cluely AI is incredibly versatile, using its “invisible assistant” approach in a range of situations:
- Sales Calls: It provides real-time suggestions and helps handle objections during conversations with prospects, giving reps the confidence they need, even when things get tricky.
- Interviews: It supports candidates and interviewers alike by offering context-aware responses and follow-up ideas, helping to ease the stress of high-pressure moments.
- Client Meetings: It captures essential points and delivers instant insights, ensuring that no important detail slips through the cracks.
- Internal Discussions & Team Meetings: It aids users with notes, answers, and context during brainstorming sessions or project updates.
In a nutshell, Cluely serves as a safety net for any scenario that demands quick thinking. By minimizing hesitation and bridging knowledge gaps, it aims to make meetings more seamless, though it prioritizes immediate support over long-term skill building.
Pros & Cons of Cluely AI
Cluely AI has been making noise for its ability to help people navigate meetings, calls, and interviews seamlessly. The idea of getting instant guidance and automatic note-taking is definitely attractive, but like any tool, it has its pros and cons.
Cluely AI Benefits:
Cluely AI Limitations:
Cluely Reviews - What the Users say About the Tool?
Real-world feedback on Cluely is mixed, but leans heavily negative. Here’s a snapshot of what users on Reddit and Trustpilot are saying:
“The experience is not good at all.” — Full_Information492 - Reddit User
“It’s expensive and the worst part was I got caught in an interview. It doesn’t always generate real-time answers. The system freezes out somewhere in between. Also, for some questions, the tool was giving wrong answers. It also doesn’t support the eye moment so the interviewer can easily see me reading through the screen.”
“Cluely cannot do the interview for you.” — NightFire19 - Reddit User
“It is a guide. It is not as helpful if you know nothing. You need at minimum a high-level understanding and good familiarity with what interview questions they’ll throw at you. Cluely is excellent for providing additional information to your answers and maybe answering the occasional question you get stuck on.”
“I spent $20 on Cluely today…” — SilpaTera - Reddit User
“My honest take, the service they offer is actually bad. During the interview, the AI makes all kinds of errors for what looks like a Leetcode medium. The software has too many checkpoints, not ideal. This company is basically a BS glorified frat house for marketing.”
Here's what a Truspilot user says about his experience with Cluely
Most user reviews on both Reddit and Trustpilot are negative. Common complaints include poor real-time performance, irrelevant or wrong answers, and detection risks during interviews. Still, a few users noted it can be helpful in limited ways , mainly as a quick guide or to fill small knowledge gaps when you’re stuck on a question.
Is Cluely Too Good to Be True?
Given all the hype around an “undetectable AI” that can help you cheat on everything, many observers are questioning whether Cluely’s promise is too good to be true. Beneath the surface, Cluely raises serious ethical, legal, and reputational questions, to the point that TL;DV in its recent article on Cluely called it “a red flag on wheels”.
According to TL;DV’s review, the tool “raises serious ethical, legal, and reputational questions… frankly, it looks like a red flag on wheels.” They point out that co-founder Chungin “Roy” Lee even described Cluely as a “cheating tool for literally everything,” a mindset that got him expelled from Columbia after using a similar app to fake technical interviews. TL;DV also criticizes the marketing, which leans into deception including a viral video of someone using Cluely to trick a date, arguing it normalizes dishonesty as a service.
Also, in the Verge’s hands-on test of Cluely , the real-world experience was far from the slick demo. The reviewer spent the first few minutes troubleshooting audio, had to noisily type prompts because the AI couldn’t intuit what was needed, and responses were often slow or generic. In one meeting, Cluely even caused microphone feedback, forcing colleagues to ask the user to mute, hardly the seamless “invisible” copilot it claims to be.
At best, Cluely might provide a confidence boost when you’re stuck, but as TL;DV notes, over-reliance risks making you sound less credible and leaves you unprepared without the crutch. Or as The Verge’s reviewer put it after struggling with the tool: “I’d ended up working harder to be worse at my job... wouldn’t it have been easier to simply not cheat?”
There are also legal and professional risks. Because Cluely works covertly, using it in interviews or client calls could violate consent, trust, or even recording laws. Ironically, its own terms of service require getting permission from all participants, undermining the entire premise of being “undetectable.”
Adding to these concerns, Cluely has also faced scrutiny for serious security issues. In early 2025, reports surfaced of a breach that exposed more than 83,000 user records, including sensitive meeting and interview data. Affected users, like one Medium post author, described the incident as a wake-up call about the risks of “undetectable AI.” What made matters worse was that the group DarkAgent publicly claimed the hack on its website, highlighting how Cluely’s stealth-first design left basic security overlooked.
Bottom line: The concept of an AI that feeds you perfect answers is alluring, but with Cluely, the costs and risks are very real. From ethical red flags and legal gray areas to technical hiccups and shallow learning, this tool often feels too good to be true
Given these drawbacks, it’s worth broadening the lens. In the next section, we’ll compare alternative tools across different categories, with a focus on more specialized platforms that can truly help revenue teams build lasting skills, track performance, and scale sales readiness.
Top Alternatives to Cluely AI in 2025
Cluely AI is useful for quick, in-the-moment guidance, but many sales leaders and enablement managers are looking for platforms that build lasting skills, offer team-wide insights, and remain fully transparent and ethical. Here a quick comaprison of the top alternatives to Cluely AI in 2025.
a. Sales & Coaching-Focused Alternatives
1. Outdoo (Formerly MeetRecord)
What it is:
Outdoo AI (formerly MeetRecord) is a revenue productivity platform crafted to help sales teams ramp up quickly, close deals more effectively, and enhance their coaching strategies. It brings together AI-driven conversation intelligence, role-play simulations, CRM automation, and team-wide analytics all in one place.
Why it stands out:
Outdoo AI offers lasting value that goes beyond just real-time prompts. Here are some key features:
Where it falls short:
You can try and experience Outdoo's AI Sales Roleplay for free here. 👇
Outdoo Pricing:
- Custom pricing based on team size and selected modules.
- Demo available to evaluate the fit for your organization.
Testimonial:
2. Clarify AI
What it is:
Clarify AI is a cutting-edge CRM platform that’s all about harnessing the power of AI to bring together customer data, automate those everyday tasks, and deliver insights that sales teams can really use. It’s designed to help teams stay organized, make decisions based on solid data, and concentrate on what truly matters, high-impact activities, instead of getting bogged down in admin work.
Why it stands out:
Clarify AI is perfect for teams eager to streamline their workflows and gain better visibility into their opportunities. Here are some standout features:
Where it falls short:
Clarify AI Pricing:
- Custom enterprise pricing based on team size and modules.
- Demo available on request.
Testimonial:
b. Interview & Personal Use Alternatives
3. Big Interview
What it is:
Big Interview is an innovative platform powered by AI, crafted to assist job seekers in honing their interview skills, getting personalized feedback, and boosting their performance across various professional fields. It seamlessly blends virtual interview simulations with focused learning resources.
Why it stands out:
Big Interview takes a comprehensive and structured approach to interview prep:
Where it falls short:
Big Interview Pricing:
Starting from $39/month for the Interview BootCamp and going up to $299 one-time for lifetime access to Interview Pro. Institutional pricing varies based on audience size.
Testimonial:
4. Final Round AI
What it is:
Final Round AI is a cutting-edge platform that leverages artificial intelligence to help candidates ace their interviews while also aiding recruiters in assessing performance. It offers context-sensitive guidance and real-time suggestions, empowering users to tackle high-pressure interview situations with confidence.
Why it stands out:
Final Round AI equips users with the tools they need to feel more prepared and less anxious during interviews:
Where it falls short:
Final Round AI Pricing:
- Subscription plans starting at $19/month.
- Free trials or demo access may be available.
Testimonial:
c. Knowledge & Productivity Alternatives
5. Saner.AI
What it is:
Saner.ai is a smart platform that harnesses the power of AI to help you manage knowledge and boost productivity. It’s perfect for individuals and teams looking to organize, synthesize, and easily retrieve information. Whether you’re capturing insights from research, meetings, or personal notes, Saner.AI makes it all actionable.
Why it stands out:
Saner.ai changes the game when it comes to how we capture and utilize knowledge:
Where it falls short:
Saner AI Pricing:
The pricing of Saner AI starts from Free and going up to $16/month for the Standard plan (with early-user discounts available).
Testimonial:
6. Notion AI
What it is:
Notion AI is a powerful set of artificial intelligence tools built right into the Notion workspace, aimed at boosting productivity, managing knowledge, and fostering team collaboration. It’s designed to help users create content, summarize notes, and organize information seamlessly all in one place.
Why it stands out:
Notion AI transforms the way teams gather, organize, and access knowledge:
Where it falls short:
Notion AI Pricing:
Notion AI offers a Free plan and goes up to $20/month for the Business plan.
Testimonial:
Cluely AI vs Outdoo AI: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
When evaluating AI tools for sales coaching and meeting support, understanding the real-world impact is key. Both Cluely AI and Outdoo bring AI to the table, but they serve different purposes and produce different outcomes for revenue teams. Here’s how they compare across critical dimensions:
Why Outdoo AI Is the Better Choice for Revenue Teams?
Sales leaders aren’t just on the hunt for a flashy AI gimmick to help their reps “wing it” during meetings. They’re after a platform that fosters sustainable skills, drives real results, and scales seamlessly across the organization. That’s where Outdoo AI (formerly known as MeetRecord) really shines.
1. Scalability for AEs, RevOps, and Sales Enablement
- Outdoo is built for entire sales teams, not just individual users.
- From onboarding new AEs to implementing advanced enablement programs, the platform adjusts to every phase of the sales cycle.
- Managers get a clear view of who’s making strides, where deals are getting stuck, and how reps are progressing, something that “invisible AI” tools simply can’t provide.
2. Ethical and Compliant Real-Time Coaching
- Unlike hidden apps that might pose compliance risks, Outdoo is open and organization-approved.
- Leaders can have confidence that their teams are learning the right way, without jeopardizing customer trust or risking policy breaches.
3. Beyond Prompts: True Sales Readiness
- Outdoo combines AI Sales roleplay (a safe practice environment), conversation intelligence, and deal visibility to create a comprehensive readiness ecosystem.
- Rather than just providing reps with the right answer in the moment, Outdoo empowers them to ask better questions, tackle objections, and adapt to buyer behavior over the long haul.
4. Proven ROI & Performance Tracking
- By cutting down ramp time, enhancing coaching efficiency, and boosting win rates, Outdoo quickly pays for itself.
- Teams can track performance at the rep, manager, and organizational level to pinpoint exactly where improvements are taking place.
How to Choose the Right AI Sales Training & Readiness Platform?
The market for AI coaching and readiness tools is booming, but not every option is tailored for revenue teams. When sales leaders are on the hunt for the right platform, they need to strike a balance between quick productivity boosts and long-term sales readiness and compliance. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Key Factors to Consider
Before you pick a platform, let’s get clear on what really moves the needle. Use these core factors to separate quick wins from solutions that build lasting capability.
Checklist for Decision-Makers
Now let’s pressure-test your shortlist. Run each option through this quick checklist to confirm fit, compliance, and ROI.
Wrapping up
Cluely can come in handy when you need a quick help where the copilot can listens to calls and feeds real-time prompts and auto notes. It is helpful in the moment, but it ends there. It can steady nerves and fill small gaps. For revenue teams, though, it leaves big needs uncovered. You still need visibility, real skill growth, and a setup that passes legal and IT checks.
Outdoo AI (formerly MeetRecord) leans into the long game. It combines AI roleplay, conversation intelligence, and team analytics so reps learn faster, managers coach with data, and results become more predictable across the board.
If this direction sounds right, here is a simple way to get moving.
- Map your training loop across onboarding, practice, live calls, and post-call reviews. Spot the gaps that slow reps down.
- Decide where you want instant help and where you need lasting capability. Prioritize roleplay, conversation insights, and org-wide analytics.
- Pilot with a small pod for two to four weeks. Track ramp time, call quality, and early win-rate signals.
Want to know how Outdoo can fit in your workflow. Book a demo today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cluely AI is a desktop tool that provides real-time prompts, notes, and context during meetings or interviews.
Not always. Many regions require consent for recording or monitoring, and using covert AI assistants can violate privacy, workplace, or interview policies.
No. They may help in the moment, but they don’t replace practice, coaching, or long-term learning.
Reviews point out ethical red flags, performance glitches, and the risk of being exposed mid-call. The concern is that it normalizes deception rather than improving skills.
Outdoo AI is a stronger choice, offering AI roleplay, coaching insights, and scalable team readiness.
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