Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Thoth: Privacy-first macOS app that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings entirely on-device with no cloud or data leaving the Mac. 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 Thoth when users who want offline, private meeting notes on a mac matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.
macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required.
Privacy-first macOS app that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings entirely on-device with no cloud or data leaving the Mac.
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
Thoth is a native macOS application, created by Matthieu Veinhard, that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings entirely on the user's device. It captures both microphone and system audio so it can record both sides of online meetings on platforms such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet, and it provides live transcription with on-device speech-to-text. An on-device engine detects and color-codes individual speakers in the transcript, and the app supports a large number of languages via Whisper-based transcription. After a meeting, Thoth extracts notes, action items, and key decisions, and lets users choose between several on-device models or supply their own cloud API key, with an on-device anonymization step that can redact sensitive information before any optional cloud processing. Output can be exported to formats including PDF, Word, Markdown, and timestamped JSON. Because the app has no server and no user database, the company emphasizes that there is nothing to breach or hand over. Thoth requires Apple Silicon and is aimed at privacy-conscious professionals, those handling confidential information, and neurodivergent users who benefit from automatic capture, and it is available on the Mac App Store with an iOS beta in progress. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Thoth is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | Thoth |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | 100% local, on-device recording, transcription, and summarization |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Dual-channel capture of microphone and system audio |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | On-device speaker detection with color-coded transcripts |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Whisper-based transcription supporting many languages |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | On-device anonymization to redact sensitive content |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | Export to PDF, Word, Markdown, and timestamped JSON |
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.
Thoth
Choose Thoth if you need professionals handling confidential or regulated information — strengths include fully local processing with no cloud requirement and no user database.
Alter
Thoth
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while Thoth is strong for professionals handling confidential or regulated information. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and Thoth 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.
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