Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Polar Notes: AI note taker for students that turns lectures, audio, slides, PDFs, and videos into notes and study packs. 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 Polar Notes when converting youtube videos, slides, and pdfs into a study pack 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 note taker for students that turns lectures, audio, slides, PDFs, and videos into notes and study packs.
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
Polar Notes (PolarNotes AI) is an AI note-taking tool built for students and teachers that converts lectures and course materials into organized study resources. Users can record or upload a lecture, paste a YouTube link, or import slides and PDFs, and the app automatically transcribes audio when needed and analyzes the content to produce summarized notes, key concepts, section headings, and short overviews. From the same source material it can generate a study pack that includes study guides, flashcards, and assessment questions, and results can be exported to Google Docs or PDF with study sets organized in one place. Polar Notes emphasizes privacy and offline access on iOS, keeping notes stored locally on the device unless the user chooses to back them up or share them, which lets students review notes without an internet connection. It also supports multilingual transcription, making it usable for international students and teachers recording in different languages. The tool is delivered as an iOS app with an accompanying web experience and free online tools, and is aimed at learners who want lecture and document content distilled into exam-ready study material rather than verbatim meeting records. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Polar Notes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Polar Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | Record or upload lectures, paste YouTube links, and import slides or PDFs |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Automatic audio transcription and AI-generated summarized notes with headings |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Study pack generation including study guides, flashcards, and quiz questions |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | Export to Google Docs and PDF with organized study sets |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Offline access on iOS with notes stored locally by default |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | Multilingual transcription for international students and teachers |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Polar Notes
Choose Polar Notes if you need turning recorded lectures into summarized notes and flashcards — strengths include turns multiple source types into exam-ready study material.
Aiko
Polar Notes
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Polar Notes is strong for turning recorded lectures into summarized notes and flashcards. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Polar Notes 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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