Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Empathia AI: Empathia AI is an ambient AI medical scribe that records patient encounters and automatically generates clinical notes, letters, and billing codes for clinicians. Here's where each one pulls ahead on pricing, features, and the meetings it suits best.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Empathia AI when generating referral letters, consult letters, and patient instructions from recorded visits 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.
Empathia AI is an ambient AI medical scribe that records patient encounters and automatically generates clinical notes, letters, and billing codes for clinicians.
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
Empathia AI is an AI medical scribe built for clinicians and healthcare practices. Its core engine, EMMA, uses ambient AI to listen to doctor-patient interactions across in-person visits, telehealth, and phone calls, then transcribes the conversation and generates structured, customizable clinical notes. Beyond note-taking, it produces chart summaries, referral and consult letters, form autofill, patient instructions, and suggested ICD/CPT/service billing codes. The platform supports multi-speaker conversations, dictation, and multilingual encounters, and offers specialty-tuned templates across 20+ medical specialties. It works on desktop and mobile and integrates with numerous EMR/EHR systems, including Epic, Athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, NextGen, DrChrono, Practice Fusion, Elation, and Canadian systems such as Accuro, OSCAR, and Juno. Empathia emphasizes compliance, citing HIPAA, PHIPA, PIPEDA, and GDPR alignment, and notes pre-qualified vendor status with Canada Health Infoway's national AI scribe program. It targets individual practitioners and clinics seeking to reduce documentation time and refocus attention on patient care.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Empathia AI is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Empathia AI |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Ambient AI capture (EMMA) for in-person, telehealth, and phone encounters |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Automatic transcription and structured clinical note generation |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Multi-speaker and multilingual support with dictation |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Specialty-tuned templates across 20+ medical specialties |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Suggested ICD/CPT/service billing codes, referral and consult letters |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | EMR/EHR integrations (Epic, Athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, Accuro, OSCAR, and more) |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Empathia AI
Choose Empathia AI if you need clinicians automating post-visit charting and clinical note documentation — strengths include purpose-built for clinical documentation with deep emr integration.
Aiko
Empathia AI
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Empathia AI is strong for clinicians automating post-visit charting and clinical note documentation. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Empathia AI 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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