Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Granola: Granola is an AI notepad for meetings that captures your computer's audio without joining a bot, then transcribes and generates structured notes with action items. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Granola when keeping a searchable record of recurring team meetings matters most. Test each on your own meetings; the right choice tends to become obvious quickly.
On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately.
Granola is an AI notepad for meetings that captures your computer's audio without joining a bot, then transcribes and generates structured notes with action items.
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
Granola is a desktop AI notepad for people in frequent meetings. Instead of sending a bot into the call, it captures your computer's audio directly, transcribes the conversation, and combines it with your own typed notes to produce structured summaries, action items, and follow-ups. It syncs with your calendar to detect meetings and works with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, other video tools, and in-person meetings via the iPhone app. A built-in AI chat answers questions across your meeting notes (for example, what you committed to during the week). Granola runs on macOS and Windows. The free Basic plan offers unlimited note-taking, custom templates, shared folders, multi-language support, and AI chat, but limits viewing notes older than 30 days. Paid tiers add unlimited history, advanced AI models, an MCP connector, API access, and integrations with Notion, Slack, HubSpot, Attio, Affinity, and Zapier.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Granola is from $0/mo (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Granola |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | AI meeting notes |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | On-device audio capture (no bot) |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | AI chat across meetings |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Custom note templates |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Calendar sync |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | AI meeting notes |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Granola
Choose Granola if you need automatically generating notes and action items from sales or client calls — strengths include captures computer audio without sending a bot into the meeting, so calls stay less disruptive.
Aiko
Granola
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Granola is strong for automatically generating notes and action items from sales or client calls. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Granola is from $0/mo. 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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