Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. MacWhisper: Native macOS transcription app from Amsterdam-based Goodsnooze that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with no cloud upload. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and MacWhisper when journalists and researchers transcribing recorded interviews 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.
Native macOS transcription app from Amsterdam-based Goodsnooze that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with no cloud upload.
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
MacWhisper is a native macOS (and iOS) transcription app built by indie developer Jordi Bruin under his Amsterdam-based studio Goodsnooze. It uses OpenAI's Whisper models (and NVIDIA Parakeet) to turn audio and video into editable text directly on the user's device, so recordings never need to be sent to the cloud. Beyond transcribing existing files, MacWhisper can record and transcribe meetings from conferencing apps such as Zoom, Teams, Webex, Skype, Chime, and Discord, as well as system audio and microphone input, making it practical as a meeting transcription tool. It supports more than 100 languages and offers features like batch transcription, speaker grouping, search, and real-time dictation. Because all processing happens locally, it appeals to users with privacy and confidentiality requirements who prefer not to route sensitive conversations through third-party servers. The company is independently funded and has not been acquired. MacWhisper is distributed through its own website and the Mac App Store, with a free tier for basic offline transcription and paid options for advanced capabilities. It is best for Mac users who want a fast, private, on-device way to transcribe meetings and recordings. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); MacWhisper is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | On-device transcription using Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Records system audio from Zoom, Teams, Webex, and other apps |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Supports 100+ languages |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Batch transcription and speaker grouping |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Real-time dictation |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Available on macOS and iOS |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
MacWhisper
Choose MacWhisper if you need mac users transcribing zoom or teams meetings privately on-device — strengths include all processing stays local, supporting privacy and confidentiality.
Aiko
MacWhisper
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while MacWhisper is strong for mac users transcribing zoom or teams meetings privately on-device. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and MacWhisper 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.
More head-to-head comparisons involving Aiko and MacWhisper.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Aircall: Cloud phone and call center platform with built-in AI conversation intelligence: transcription, call summaries, sentiment, and call scoring. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Aircover: Real-time in-call AI sales coach that surfaces answers, battlecards, and CRM updates live during sales meetings. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Airepoto: Korean AI meeting documentation platform by RSUPPORT that records, transcribes with speaker separation, and summarizes meetings across Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Airspeed: Sales conversation intelligence and coaching platform (formerly Glyphic) that records and analyzes calls, scores reps, and keeps CRM data in sync. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Alice Recorder: Privacy-focused iOS and web recorder that transcribes meetings and interviews in 100+ languages with AI summarization. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Allego: Conversation intelligence within a broader sales enablement platform that records, transcribes, and analyzes sales calls for coaching and deal insights. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Allo: Mobile-first AI business phone system that records and transcribes sales calls, writes follow-ups, and syncs everything to your CRM automatically. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Aloware: Sales engagement and contact platform with a power dialer plus AI conversation intelligence that records, transcribes, and analyzes calls for coaching. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Amber Notes: EU-focused AI meeting notetaker by Dutch company Amberscript, with EU-only data hosting, multilingual transcription and an Ask Amber chat. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Amberscript: Audio and video to text service offering automatic and human-verified transcripts and subtitles. Here's where each one pulls ahead on pricing, features, and the meetings it suits best.
Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. AmpUp: AI sales coaching platform with a native notetaker that records and transcribes calls, then delivers prep briefs, debriefs, and practice scenarios. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.