Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Balto: Real-time AI guidance and agent-assist platform that coaches contact-center and sales agents live during calls. We compare them on cost, capture approach, and day-to-day fit so you can choose faster.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Balto when automating quality assurance and risk monitoring across all calls matters most. Run both through a week of actual calls to see which suits your workflow.
On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately.
Real-time AI guidance and agent-assist platform that coaches contact-center and sales agents live during calls.
Aiko is a native transcription app for macOS, iOS, and visionOS, developed by Sindre Sorhus, that converts speech to text from meetings, lectures, and recordings entirely on-device. It uses OpenAI's Whisper model running locally, so audio never leaves the user's device, which makes it appealing for students and professionals with privacy requirements. Aiko transcribes both audio and video files in common formats such as .m4a, .wav, .mp3, .mp4, and .mov, and supports around 100 languages. Transcriptions can be exported in multiple formats, including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles, and the app includes a word-replacement feature to automatically correct recurring errors. It also integrates with Apple Shortcuts for automation workflows. Because Aiko prioritizes accuracy over speed, it does not perform live transcription while recording and currently does not include speaker detection, so it is best for transcribing recorded lectures, interviews, and meetings after the fact. The app is offered as a Universal Purchase with a free trial via TestFlight, making it a low-cost, privacy-first option for turning lecture and meeting recordings into searchable text. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Balto is a contact-center AI platform centered on real-time guidance during live customer and sales calls. Rather than focusing on post-call review, Balto listens to conversations as they happen and surfaces dynamic prompts, objection-handling cues, compliance checklists, and knowledge-base answers to the agent in the moment. Its Agent Assist pulls relevant information so reps can respond to customer questions instantly, while real-time QA automatically scores interactions across all calls and flags compliance risk early, maintaining an audit trail for supervisors. Coaching automation tailors recommendations to each agent's performance, and real-time note generation produces call summaries without manual write-ups. Balto also offers voice AI agents to handle high-volume, repeatable calls and supports omnichannel context across voice and digital channels. It integrates with CRMs and telephony systems such as Salesforce and RingCentral. The platform is used across industries including healthcare, insurance, banking, collections, and home improvement, and is aimed at contact centers and sales teams that want in-the-moment guidance, compliance assurance, and automated quality management at scale. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Balto is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Balto |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Real-time, in-call guidance with dynamic prompts and objection cues |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Agent Assist that surfaces knowledge-base answers live |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Automated quality assurance scoring across 100% of calls |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Real-time compliance monitoring with audit trails |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Automated call summaries and coaching recommendations |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Integrations with CRMs and phone systems such as Salesforce and RingCentral |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Balto
Choose Balto if you need guiding agents live through objections and compliance requirements — strengths include guides agents during the call rather than only analyzing afterward.
Aiko
Balto
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Balto is strong for guiding agents live through objections and compliance requirements. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Balto is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Often yes: teams combine tools when one handles capture and another handles analysis.
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