Basil AI: On-device AI note taker for Apple devices that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely offline, with no cloud upload. MacWhisper: Native macOS transcription app from Amsterdam-based Goodsnooze that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with no cloud upload. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Basil AI when transcribing confidential client meetings where data must stay on-device matters most, and MacWhisper when journalists and researchers transcribing recorded interviews matters most. Run both through a week of actual calls to see which suits your workflow.
On-device AI note taker for Apple devices that transcribes and summarizes meetings entirely offline, with no cloud upload.
Native macOS transcription app from Amsterdam-based Goodsnooze that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with no cloud upload.
Basil AI (Basil Private AI Note Taker) is a privacy-first AI transcription and note-taking application that processes all audio locally on Apple devices using Apple's on-device speech and machine-learning frameworks. Because recordings, transcripts, and summaries never leave the device and no cloud servers are involved, Basil is positioned for privacy-conscious professionals handling sensitive conversations, including lawyers conducting client meetings and other client-services practitioners where confidentiality matters. The app records live meetings and can also process uploaded audio and DRM-free video files, then generates transcripts with speaker diarization plus AI summaries and key takeaways. It supports a large set of languages and can work offline, including in airplane mode. Outputs can be exported to formats such as text, PDF, CSV, and JSON, and integrated with Apple's ecosystem (Apple Notes, iCloud Drive, Files). Basil is distributed on the Apple App Store by TONSOR LLC and is available as a universal app across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision, with recent iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS versions required. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
MacWhisper is a native macOS (and iOS) transcription app built by indie developer Jordi Bruin under his Amsterdam-based studio Goodsnooze. It uses OpenAI's Whisper models (and NVIDIA Parakeet) to turn audio and video into editable text directly on the user's device, so recordings never need to be sent to the cloud. Beyond transcribing existing files, MacWhisper can record and transcribe meetings from conferencing apps such as Zoom, Teams, Webex, Skype, Chime, and Discord, as well as system audio and microphone input, making it practical as a meeting transcription tool. It supports more than 100 languages and offers features like batch transcription, speaker grouping, search, and real-time dictation. Because all processing happens locally, it appeals to users with privacy and confidentiality requirements who prefer not to route sensitive conversations through third-party servers. The company is independently funded and has not been acquired. MacWhisper is distributed through its own website and the Mac App Store, with a free tier for basic offline transcription and paid options for advanced capabilities. It is best for Mac users who want a fast, private, on-device way to transcribe meetings and recordings. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
Basil AI is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); MacWhisper is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Basil AI | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | 100% on-device transcription with no cloud upload | On-device transcription using Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet |
| Standout feature | Speaker diarization to separate participants automatically | Records system audio from Zoom, Teams, Webex, and other apps |
| Team usage | AI-generated summaries, minutes, and key takeaways | Supports 100+ languages |
| Integrations | Support for recording live meetings and uploading audio/video files | Batch transcription and speaker grouping |
| Languages & capture | Multi-language support and offline (airplane-mode) operation | Real-time dictation |
| Best-fit workflow | Export to text, PDF, CSV, and JSON, plus Apple Notes/iCloud/Files | Available on macOS and iOS |
Basil AI
Choose Basil AI if you need transcribing confidential client meetings where data must stay on-device — strengths include strong privacy posture since data never leaves the device.
MacWhisper
Choose MacWhisper if you need mac users transcribing zoom or teams meetings privately on-device — strengths include all processing stays local, supporting privacy and confidentiality.
Basil AI
MacWhisper
It depends on your workflow. Basil AI is strong for transcribing confidential client meetings where data must stay on-device, while MacWhisper is strong for mac users transcribing zoom or teams meetings privately on-device. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Basil AI is a free tier with paid upgrades and MacWhisper 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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