Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. HiDock: AI note-taking hardware (docks, recorders, mini devices) paired with the HiNotes app to transcribe and summarize meetings. Here's where each one pulls ahead on pricing, features, and the meetings it suits best.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Alter when freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot matters most, and HiDock when capturing phone calls and bluetooth-earphone conversations for notes matters most. Trial each on a few real meetings before you commit — the better fit usually shows fast.
macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required.
AI note-taking hardware (docks, recorders, mini devices) paired with the HiNotes app to transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a native macOS application that records, transcribes, and analyzes meetings directly on the user's Mac without sending a bot into the call. Instead of joining a meeting as a visible participant, Alter captures audio from the system output and microphone, so it works across Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, Discord, and in-person conversations. Transcription runs through on-device models, with a choice of an optimized Parakeet model for major languages or Whisper for broader language coverage, and speaker identification is performed locally. Because processing happens on the device, recordings and transcripts stay on the Mac and the app can operate without an internet connection. Beyond raw transcripts, Alter generates summaries and action items, lets users chat with their meetings, and connects to tools such as Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, and Jira. It targets solopreneurs, freelancers, consultants, and other professionals who want private, bot-free meeting capture on macOS. The product is actively developed and operating in 2025 and 2026. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
HiDock is a hardware-and-software brand built around capturing meeting audio and turning it into transcripts and summaries through its companion HiNotes service. The product line includes USB-C docking stations such as the H1E and the O1 meeting-room dock, the HiDock P1 voice recorder for Bluetooth earphones, and the P1 mini for capturing phone calls and in-person conversations. The devices capture two-way audio from video calls, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings, including a proprietary BlueCatch technology that records through standard Bluetooth earbuds. Captured audio is sent to HiNotes, which auto-transcribes it and generates AI summaries using tailored templates organized by profession, such as sales, engineering, HR, and education. HiDock markets unlimited AI transcription across many languages, and because recording happens on the device or dock rather than through a meeting bot, no extra participant needs to join the call. The approach suits people who hold in-person or mixed meetings and want a dedicated capture device rather than a browser bot. HiNotes is available as a mobile and web app that turns recordings into searchable, actionable notes. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); HiDock is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | HiDock |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | Hardware capture devices (docks, recorders, phone-call mini) for video, phone, and in-person meetings |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | HiNotes companion app for transcription and AI summaries |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | BlueCatch recording through standard Bluetooth earphones |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Profession-specific summary templates |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Multi-language transcription support |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | Bot-free capture that does not require others to join via an assistant |
Alter
Choose Alter if you need freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot — strengths include local processing keeps recordings and transcripts on the user's own mac.
HiDock
Choose HiDock if you need recording and summarizing in-person and conference-room meetings — strengths include dedicated hardware works well for in-person and mixed meetings, not just web calls.
Alter
HiDock
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while HiDock is strong for recording and summarizing in-person and conference-room meetings. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and HiDock 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 Alter and HiDock.
Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Amber Notes: EU-focused AI meeting notetaker by Dutch company Amberscript, with EU-only data hosting, multilingual transcription and an Ask Amber chat. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
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Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. AudioNotes: AI note taker for voice, audio, video, and text that records meetings and memos and turns them into structured notes and summaries. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
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Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Audiosum: AI transcription platform with Arabic dialect support that transcribes and summarizes meetings, lectures and videos. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.