Ava: AI live captioning and transcription app for accessibility, providing real-time captions for conversations and video meetings. VoiceInk: VoiceInk is an open-source macOS dictation app that turns speech into text in any application using local whisper.cpp AI models that run entirely on-device. 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 Ava when real-time captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants matters most, and VoiceInk when dictating prompts and code comments into ai chat tools and editors matters most. Run both through a week of actual calls to see which suits your workflow.
AI live captioning and transcription app for accessibility, providing real-time captions for conversations and video meetings.
VoiceInk is an open-source macOS dictation app that turns speech into text in any application using local whisper.cpp AI models that run entirely on-device.
Ava is a live captioning and transcription service built primarily for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, as well as for organizations that need accessible meetings and conversations. The app captures audio from in-person conversations and from video conferencing tools, then generates real-time captions on a phone, computer, or in the meeting interface. Ava combines automatic speech recognition with an optional professional scribe service for higher-accuracy, ADA-compliant captioning, giving users a choice between fast AI captions and human-assisted transcription. Features include color-coded speaker identification so users can follow who said what, support for many languages, and stored transcripts and summaries after a conversation ends. Through its Ava Connect integration, the service connects with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, and it is available across mobile (iOS and Android), web, and desktop (Windows and Mac). Ava is aimed at individuals who need accessibility support in daily conversations and meetings, as well as at educational institutions, healthcare providers, corporations, and event venues that must provide compliant real-time captioning without committing to a traditional CART contract. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
VoiceInk is a native macOS dictation application that converts spoken words into text and inserts them into any app, positioned as an open-source alternative to Superwhisper and Wispr Flow. It runs transcription locally using whisper.cpp Whisper models (and Parakeet via FluidAudio), so voice data stays on the device by default; optionally, you can connect cloud transcription and AI services such as Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, and Gemini using your own API keys. Users trigger recording with global keyboard shortcuts or push-to-talk, and VoiceInk types the result wherever the cursor sits. Its Power Mode automatically switches transcription and AI-enhancement settings based on the active app or website, while a Personal Dictionary handles custom terminology and text replacements. Enhancement prompts can reformat dictation for email, chat, or social posts, and a later release added the ability to share audio files into the app for transcription. The project is published on GitHub under GPL v3, runs on Apple Silicon Macs (macOS 14.4+), and also offers an iOS version. It suits writers, developers, and professionals who want fast, private hands-free text entry.
Best suited for
Ava is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Ava | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Integration with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams | Local on-device speech-to-text via whisper.cpp and Parakeet (FluidAudio) Whisper models |
| Standout feature | Real-time live captions for in-person and online conversations | Optional cloud transcription/enhancement through user-supplied API keys (Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, Gemini) |
| Team usage | Color-coded speaker identification | Global keyboard shortcuts and push-to-talk dictation that inserts text into any app |
| Integrations | Optional professional scribe service for higher accuracy | Power Mode: automatic per-app/per-website switching of transcription and AI settings |
| Languages & capture | Mobile, web, and desktop apps | Personal Dictionary for custom words, phrases, and text replacements |
| Best-fit workflow | Saved transcripts and conversation summaries | AI enhancement modes (email, chat, posts) and audio-file transcription support |
Ava
Choose Ava if you need real-time captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants — strengths include strong accessibility focus for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
VoiceInk
Choose VoiceInk if you need hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app — strengths include transcribes entirely offline by default, keeping voice data on-device for privacy.
Ava
VoiceInk
It depends on your workflow. Ava is strong for real-time captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants, while VoiceInk is strong for hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Ava is a free tier with paid upgrades and VoiceInk 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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