Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Outset: AI-moderated research platform that runs multimodal interviews at scale and auto-synthesizes themes, quotes, and highlight reels. We compare them on cost, capture approach, and day-to-day fit so you can choose faster.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Outset when continuous customer discovery with rapid automated synthesis 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.
AI-moderated research platform that runs multimodal interviews at scale and auto-synthesizes themes, quotes, and highlight reels.
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
Outset is an all-in-one AI-moderated research platform that combines conversational AI with behavioral and emotional analysis to run qualitative interviews at scale. Its AI moderator conducts natural, adaptive conversations via video, voice, or text, dynamically probing based on audio and visual cues to uncover detail beyond surface-level answers, and supports interviews in effectively any language across a broad set of countries. Researchers set up interview guides quickly with help from automated logic, including advanced probing rules and intelligent question skipping, and the platform can field hundreds of interviews simultaneously. Built-in recruitment provides access to a very large pool of potential participants across many geographies, or teams can bring their own audience. After interviews complete, Outset automatically synthesizes results into relevant summaries, themes, powerful quotes, and customizable highlight reels without manual tagging, and generates shareable outputs including custom AI-generated reports, highlight reels, and slide decks for stakeholders. Most teams complete interviews within hours and receive AI-synthesized summaries minutes later. The company is venture-backed and reports adoption by large enterprises using the platform to accelerate or replace traditional market research methods. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Outset is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Outset |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | AI moderator conducting multimodal video, voice, and text interviews |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Dynamic probing driven by audio and visual cues |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Automated interview-guide setup with probing rules and smart skipping |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Hundreds of simultaneous interviews with built-in recruitment |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Automatic synthesis into summaries, themes, quotes, and highlight reels |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Stakeholder outputs including custom reports and slide decks |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Outset
Choose Outset if you need running large-scale qualitative interviews for market research — strengths include runs large volumes of interviews in parallel with fast synthesis.
Aiko
Outset
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Outset is strong for running large-scale qualitative interviews for market research. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Outset is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary.
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