Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Userology: Vision-aware AI UX research agent that moderates usability and concept-testing interviews and reports task metrics and insights. 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 Userology when scaling generative ux interviews without researcher bottlenecks 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.
Vision-aware AI UX research agent that moderates usability and concept-testing interviews and reports task metrics and insights.
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
Userology is an AI UX research platform built around a vision-aware AI moderator that conducts user research interviews and usability tests at scale. Unlike text-only interview bots, its moderator can watch participants complete tasks on screen, layering in interaction analysis to evaluate how users actually navigate a product, and it asks context-aware follow-up questions, detects silence, and handles technical glitches during a session. The platform supports several research methods, including generative voice interviews, prototype testing with Figma links, live product research on existing Android, iOS, and web experiences, and diary studies, with additional evaluative methods noted as in development. It supports moderation in 40-plus languages and offers built-in participant recruitment from a large panel, plus an integration with User Interviews for additional targeting, screening, and recruitment. After sessions, Userology automatically generates reports that combine transcripts, qualitative and quantitative patterns, and key metrics, and it lets teams chat with their research data to dig into findings. The product positions itself as a way for product and design teams to compress research timelines from weeks to days while reducing the manual hours typically required for moderating and analyzing studies. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Userology is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | Userology |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | Vision-aware AI moderator that observes on-screen task completion |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Context-aware follow-ups with silence detection and glitch handling |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | Multiple methods: voice interviews, prototype testing, live product research, diary studies |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Automated reports with transcripts, insights, and task-based metrics |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Chat-with-your-research data exploration |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | Built-in panel recruitment plus User Interviews integration, 40+ languages |
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.
Userology
Choose Userology if you need ai-moderated usability and prototype testing of apps and web products — strengths include vision awareness supports usability and prototype testing, not just verbal interviews.
Alter
Userology
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while Userology is strong for ai-moderated usability and prototype testing of apps and web products. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and Userology 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.
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