Aiko: On-device AI transcription app for Mac, iOS, and visionOS that converts lecture and meeting audio to text privately. Whisper Notes: Offline, on-device speech-to-text app for Mac and iPhone that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with auto meeting detection and summaries on Mac. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aiko when transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying matters most, and Whisper Notes when transcribing lectures or interviews offline on a mac or iphone 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.
Offline, on-device speech-to-text app for Mac and iPhone that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with auto meeting detection and summaries on Mac.
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
Whisper Notes is an offline speech-to-text application for Mac and iPhone that records and transcribes meetings, lectures, and voice memos entirely on the device. It is built on OpenAI's Whisper speech recognition, with model options including Whisper Large V3 Turbo on Mac, Parakeet on iPhone, and SenseVoice for Asian languages, and it supports transcription across 100-plus languages. On Mac, the app can automatically detect when a meeting starts on platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom, then record and transcribe it locally without sending a bot into the call. Because processing is fully offline, the company states that data physically never leaves the device and that privacy is architectural rather than a policy promise. Additional Mac capabilities include auto-generated summaries and titles, on-device AI chat with longer transcripts, streaming transcription output, and system-wide dictation via the function key. Users can also import existing MP3, M4A, and WAV files for transcription and export results with timestamps. The product is sold as a one-time purchase per platform rather than a subscription. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Whisper Notes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aiko | Whisper Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Fully on-device transcription powered by a local Whisper model | 100% offline, on-device transcription with Whisper-based models |
| Standout feature | Support for roughly 100 languages | Automatic meeting detection for Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom on Mac |
| Team usage | Transcription of audio and video files in formats like m4a, wav, mp3, mp4, and mov | Auto-generated summaries and titles for recordings on Mac |
| Integrations | Export to multiple formats including JSON, CSV, and SRT subtitles | On-device AI chat with longer transcripts |
| Languages & capture | Word-replacement feature to auto-correct common errors | Import of MP3, M4A, and WAV audio files for transcription |
| Best-fit workflow | Apple Shortcuts integration and Universal Purchase across Mac, iOS, and visionOS | System-wide dictation via the function key on Mac |
Aiko
Choose Aiko if you need transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying — strengths include strong privacy because nothing leaves the device.
Whisper Notes
Choose Whisper Notes if you need recording and transcribing confidential meetings without cloud uploads — strengths include audio and transcripts never leave the device.
Aiko
Whisper Notes
It depends on your workflow. Aiko is strong for transcribing recorded lectures into searchable text for studying, while Whisper Notes is strong for recording and transcribing confidential meetings without cloud uploads. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aiko is a free tier with paid upgrades and Whisper Notes 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.
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