Alter: macOS-native AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes calls locally with built-in Whisper and Parakeet models, no bots required. Yating: Taiwan-built AI speech-to-text app for classes, meetings, and interviews, optimized for Taiwanese-accent Mandarin and Mandarin-English code-switching. 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 Yating when professionals capturing meetings and interviews in taiwan 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.
Taiwan-built AI speech-to-text app for classes, meetings, and interviews, optimized for Taiwanese-accent Mandarin and Mandarin-English code-switching.
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
Yating is an AI speech-to-text application developed by AILabs, a privately funded Taiwan-based company, and is described as a handy tool for classes, meetings, interviews, and everyday moments worth saving. It converts speech and voice to text and is notable for being optimized for languages and accents commonly used in Taiwan, handling Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, Japanese, and Cantonese, including sentences that switch between Chinese and English mid-thought. The app offers live transcription that can dictate audio from a microphone in real time as well as transcription of recorded audio and uploaded audio or video files. It includes a subtitle mode for accessibility, speaker identification with timestamps, and is available across mobile, web, and a Chrome plugin. An API is offered for batch processing and automatic speech recognition, and the company emphasizes a privacy-focused approach, stating it does not sell user data and that its technology and data are developed locally in Taiwan. Yating is named after a professional shorthand typist, reflecting its goal of accurate, fast transcription. The application remains active with recent updates, and it is positioned for students, podcasters, researchers, data analysts, and people who are hard of hearing. A free tier is available on iPhone alongside other offerings. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Yating is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Alter | Yating |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | On-device transcription using built-in Whisper and Parakeet models | Live microphone transcription plus transcription of recorded and uploaded files |
| Standout feature | Bot-free capture of system audio and microphone across any meeting or call app | Optimized for Taiwanese-accent Mandarin and Mandarin-English code-switching |
| Team usage | Automatic speaker identification performed locally | Support for Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, Japanese, and Cantonese |
| Integrations | AI summaries, action items, and chat-with-your-meeting Q&A | Speaker identification with timestamps |
| Languages & capture | Integrations with Notion, Slack, Linear, Asana, Jira and other tools | Subtitle mode for accessibility |
| Best-fit workflow | Offline operation with recordings and transcripts stored locally | Cross-platform: mobile, web, and Chrome plugin |
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.
Yating
Choose Yating if you need students transcribing lectures and classes in mandarin or mixed mandarin-english — strengths include strong handling of taiwanese-accent mandarin and chinese-english code-switching.
Alter
Yating
It depends on your workflow. Alter is strong for freelancers and consultants privately capturing client calls without a visible bot, while Yating is strong for students transcribing lectures and classes in mandarin or mixed mandarin-english. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Alter is a free tier with paid upgrades and Yating 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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