Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. HoverNotes: Chrome extension that watches lecture and course videos with you and generates AI notes saved as Markdown. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Alter when freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot matters most, and HoverNotes when capturing code and diagrams from technical youtube lectures matters most. Test each on your own meetings; the right choice tends to become obvious quickly.
macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required.
Chrome extension that watches lecture and course videos with you and generates AI notes saved as Markdown.
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
HoverNotes is an AI-powered note-taking tool delivered as a Chrome extension, designed for students and learners who study from recorded lectures and online course videos. Rather than relying on audio transcription alone, HoverNotes analyzes video frames as you watch, so it can capture on-screen context such as code snippets, mathematical equations, and diagrams alongside spoken content. The extension generates AI notes while you watch and saves them as plain Markdown files directly to your local file system, which makes them easy to use with tools like Obsidian or other Markdown-based knowledge bases. Users can also capture single-click screenshots embedded with clickable timestamps that jump back to the exact moment in the video. HoverNotes works across common video learning platforms including YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Bilibili, and university lecture portals. It runs on a freemium model with a limited monthly allotment of AI note generation on the free plan and paid tiers for heavier use. The tool is best suited to self-directed learners studying from video, and its local-Markdown approach appeals to people who want full ownership of their notes. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); HoverNotes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | HoverNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | Chrome extension that generates AI notes while watching videos |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Video frame analysis to capture on-screen code, equations, and diagrams |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | Notes saved locally as Markdown files for use in Obsidian and similar tools |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | One-click timestamped screenshots that link back to the video moment |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Support for YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Bilibili, and lecture portals |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | Freemium plan with paid tiers for more usage |
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.
HoverNotes
Choose HoverNotes if you need taking notes from coursera and udemy course videos — strengths include captures visual on-screen content, not just audio, for technical lectures.
Alter
HoverNotes
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while HoverNotes is strong for taking notes from coursera and udemy course videos. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and HoverNotes is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Sure. Running both makes sense when their strengths don't overlap and the budget allows.
More head-to-head comparisons involving Alter and HoverNotes.
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