Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. IceCubes: Bot-free Chrome and Edge extension that reads a meeting platform's own captions to transcribe and summarize Meet, Zoom, and Teams calls. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and IceCubes when sales reps who want call summaries automatically tied to crm records 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.
Bot-free Chrome and Edge extension that reads a meeting platform's own captions to transcribe and summarize Meet, Zoom, and Teams 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
IceCubes is an AI meeting assistant distributed as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge that captures meetings without sending a bot participant into the call. Instead of joining as a separate attendee, the extension reads the transcript directly from the conferencing platform's built-in closed-captioning service and maps speaker names from the meeting interface, then layers AI processing on top. It works with the web clients of Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, and supports additional platforms through web tab sharing. After a meeting, IceCubes produces AI summaries, extracts action items, and surfaces conversation insights, with custom 'Smart Tags' for pulling out specific information the user cares about. For revenue teams it adds sales-oriented features such as matching meetings to contacts, deals, and accounts in Salesforce and HubSpot, plus coaching and qualification frameworks. Because it relies on native captions rather than a visible recorder, it is positioned as avoiding the disruption and IT-policy friction of bot-based notetakers. The product is actively maintained, offers a free transcription tier without a credit card, and is operating in 2025-2026. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); IceCubes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | IceCubes |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Chrome and Edge browser extensions |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Bot-free capture by reading the platform's own closed captions |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Speaker identification mapped from the meeting UI |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | AI summaries, action items, and custom Smart Tags |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Supports Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams web clients |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | CRM matching to contacts, deals, and accounts in Salesforce and HubSpot |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
IceCubes
Choose IceCubes if you need teams that need notes without a bot joining due to it or compliance constraints — strengths include no visible recording bot, reducing meeting disruption and policy friction.
Aiko
IceCubes
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while IceCubes is strong for teams that need notes without a bot joining due to it or compliance constraints. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and IceCubes 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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