Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Otter.ai: Real-time meeting transcription, summaries and conversational AI search Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Otter.ai when note-taking for interviews and lectures matters most. Trial each on a few real meetings before you commit — the better fit usually shows fast.
On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately.
Real-time meeting transcription, summaries and conversational AI search
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
Otter.ai joins Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams calls to transcribe them live, identify speakers, and generate summaries with action items. The free Basic plan includes 300 transcription minutes per month; paid plans raise the minute cap, allow longer meetings, and add advanced AI workflows and team features. Otter integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zapier, and offers an MCP server for AI assistants.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Otter.ai is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Real-time transcription |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | OtterPilot auto-join agent |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | AI summaries and action items |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Searchable meeting notes |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Live highlights and comments |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Real-time transcription |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Otter.ai
Choose Otter.ai if you need real-time meeting transcription — strengths include fast, accurate real-time transcription.
Aiko
Otter.ai
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Otter.ai is strong for live transcription you can read during the meeting. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Otter.ai is from $8.33/mo. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
You can — some teams pair them when each covers a different part of the meeting workflow.
More head-to-head comparisons involving Aiko and Otter.ai.
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.