Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Pocket: MagSafe-attached AI recorder that turns meetings and ideas into transcripts, summaries, and action items. 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 Pocket when capturing fleeting ideas on the move without typing 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.
MagSafe-attached AI recorder that turns meetings and ideas into transcripts, summaries, and action items.
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
Pocket is an AI hardware device, built by a Y Combinator-backed team, that captures meetings, ideas, and conversations and converts them into clear notes without requiring the user to interact with a phone during the session. The device attaches magnetically to a phone via MagSafe and includes dual studio microphones plus a contact microphone for capturing phone calls, with onboard storage and cloud sync. A single press starts a recording, and the accompanying AI then produces transcripts, summaries, action items, and mind maps from the captured audio. Pocket supports processing in well over 100 languages and is positioned for people who talk and move quickly and want to record thoughts or discussions on the go rather than typing notes. Captured content is managed through a companion mobile app on iOS, where users can read summaries, recall meeting details without replaying audio, and organize their notes. It targets professionals, founders, and knowledge workers who attend frequent in-person meetings or want a low-friction way to capture spoken information and review it later in structured form. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Pocket is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | MagSafe-compatible wearable recorder with onboard storage |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Dual studio microphones plus a contact mic for phone calls |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | AI transcripts, summaries, action items, and mind maps |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Support for 120+ languages |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Companion iOS app with cloud sync |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | One-press recording with multi-day battery |
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.
Choose Pocket if you need recording in-person meetings and getting action items automatically — strengths include low-friction, hands-free capture that attaches to your phone.
Alter
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while Pocket is strong for recording in-person meetings and getting action items automatically. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and Pocket 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.
More head-to-head comparisons involving Alter and Pocket.
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