Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Carbon Voice: Carbon Voice is an asynchronous voice-messaging app that automatically transcribes voice memos and uses AI to generate summaries, action items, and documents. 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 Carbon Voice when capturing spoken ideas and turning them into structured documents, emails, or action items matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.
On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately.
Carbon Voice is an asynchronous voice-messaging app that automatically transcribes voice memos and uses AI to generate summaries, action items, and documents.
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
Carbon Voice is an asynchronous voice-messaging and voice-notes app for iOS, Android, Web, and Apple Watch. Users record voice memos or messages with a single keystroke or swipe, and every message is automatically transcribed so it can be read, searched, labeled, and organized. The app is built around reducing real-time meetings and calls: instead of scheduling synchronous time, teammates exchange voice messages that the recipient can catch up on later. Layered on top is a large library of AI actions that turn raw voice into structured content — bulleted summaries, cleaned-up transcripts (removing filler words and fixing grammar), meeting notes, agendas, action items, professional emails, and longer documents such as PRDs and reports. Users can also query an AI assistant about any chat. A Global Voice feature can translate messages between languages, and messages can be sent to people who don't have the app via a secure email link. It is aimed at distributed teams, managers, and individuals who prefer talking over typing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Carbon Voice is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Carbon Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Automatic transcription of every voice message, made searchable and organizable |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | AI summaries, catch-ups, and action-item extraction from conversations |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | AI document generation (meeting notes, agendas, emails, PRDs, reports) from voice |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Transcript clean-up that removes filler words and corrects grammar |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Cross-platform sync across iOS, Android, Web, and Apple Watch |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Global Voice automatic translation between languages |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Carbon Voice
Choose Carbon Voice if you need replacing status meetings and calls with async voice messages that get auto-transcribed and summarized — strengths include combines voice capture, automatic transcription, and a broad set of ai summarization/document actions in one app.
Aiko
Carbon Voice
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Carbon Voice is strong for replacing status meetings and calls with async voice messages that get auto-transcribed and summarized. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Carbon Voice is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Sure. Running both makes sense when their strengths don't overlap and the budget allows.
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