Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Palabra.ai: Real-time AI speech translation for live events, webinars, and meetings, delivering simultaneous voice and captions in 60+ languages. 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 Palabra.ai when embedding real-time translation into an existing meeting or streaming product via sdk 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.
Real-time AI speech translation for live events, webinars, and meetings, delivering simultaneous voice and captions in 60+ languages.
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
Palabra.ai is a real-time AI speech translation platform aimed at live events, conferences, webinars, video meetings, and streams. It translates spoken content into more than 60 languages with sub-second latency, producing both synthesized voice output and live text captions at the same time. For event organizers, the platform offers a no-code setup that connects an audio source and lets attendees access translated audio or captions through a browser link or QR code on any device, with support for in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats. Palabra also targets developers and platform builders, providing JavaScript, Python, and Java SDKs along with WebSocket and WebRTC compatibility so the engine can be embedded into existing products. Additional capabilities include automatic source-language detection, speaker diarization for panel discussions, two-way speech translation for interactive sessions, custom glossaries, and integration with tools such as Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, OBS, and YouTube. The company states it runs on its own language model with end-to-end encryption and a zero-retention policy. Palabra raised venture funding in 2025 and is actively operating in 2025 and 2026. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Palabra.ai is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Palabra.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Real-time voice translation and captions in 60+ languages with sub-second latency |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | No-code event setup with browser-link and QR-code attendee access |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | JavaScript, Python, and Java SDKs plus WebSocket/WebRTC for embedding |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Speaker diarization and automatic source-language detection |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Two-way speech translation and custom glossaries |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Integrations with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, OBS, and YouTube streaming |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Palabra.ai
Choose Palabra.ai if you need adding live multilingual interpretation and captions to conferences and webinars — strengths include delivers both translated audio and captions simultaneously.
Aiko
Palabra.ai
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Palabra.ai is strong for adding live multilingual interpretation and captions to conferences and webinars. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Palabra.ai is a free tier with paid upgrades. 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 Palabra.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.