Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Kai for Chrome: A Chrome extension that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely on-device in the browser, with no bot, no account, and no upload. 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 Alter when freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot matters most, and Kai for Chrome when generating quick meeting summaries and action items without any setup 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.
A Chrome extension that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely on-device in the browser, with no bot, no account, and no upload.
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
Kai is a Chrome extension that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely within the browser, running the full pipeline on the user's own device. Built by Morgen, the team behind the Morgen calendar app, it captures audio from any meeting or audio tab in Chrome, including Google Meet, the Zoom web client, and Microsoft Teams, without sending a bot into the call and without requiring an account or sign-up. Recording is triggered with a keyboard shortcut from the meeting tab. Audio capture happens in an offscreen document inside the extension and is transcribed locally using a Whisper speech-to-text model running via WebGPU or WebAssembly, so the audio never leaves the machine. At the end of a call, a local language model produces a clean summary with decisions, topics, and action items, including who is responsible. A side-panel interface lets users follow the transcript live during the meeting, and notes can optionally be emailed to a team in one click, at which point only the final text is shared. This makes Kai well suited to individuals who want fast, private, browser-based meeting notes without installing a desktop app or adding a visible bot, with an initial focus on English-language meetings. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Kai for Chrome is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | Kai for Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | Fully on-device transcription in the browser via Whisper on WebGPU or WebAssembly |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Bot-free capture from Google Meet, Zoom web, Teams, and any Chrome audio tab |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | No account or sign-up required to start transcribing |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Keyboard-shortcut recording with a live transcript side panel |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Local summaries with decisions, topics, and assigned action items |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | One-click optional email sharing of finished notes |
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.
Kai for Chrome
Choose Kai for Chrome if you need privately transcribing google meet, zoom web, or teams calls inside chrome — strengths include audio and transcription stay on-device for strong privacy.
Alter
Kai for Chrome
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while Kai for Chrome is strong for privately transcribing google meet, zoom web, or teams calls inside chrome. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and Kai for Chrome 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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