BetterDictation: A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application. Close Notetaker: An AI notetaker built into Close CRM that automatically transcribes and summarizes sales calls and meetings inside the CRM. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist BetterDictation when dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps matters most, and Close Notetaker when reps reviewing searchable conversation history attached to deals matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.
A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application.
An AI notetaker built into Close CRM that automatically transcribes and summarizes sales calls and meetings inside the CRM.
BetterDictation is a system-wide dictation tool for macOS that converts speech into typed text inside any application. Users trigger it with a keyboard shortcut (Option+Space) and can choose push-to-talk or toggle-to-talk modes; the transcribed text is then inserted directly where the cursor sits. It runs OpenAI's Whisper model locally on Apple's Neural Engine, so basic transcription works fully offline and, per the vendor, no audio recordings or transcripts are stored. It supports 100+ languages and applies automatic punctuation. The app requires Apple Silicon (M1 or newer); Intel Macs are not supported. An optional Pro add-on adds stammer correction, automatic formatting, and post-processing of dictations. It is aimed at people who write or capture text frequently, such as founders, engineers, and writers, who want to dictate emails, documents, notes, and messages rather than type them. Because it works across all apps, it can be used to capture spoken notes alongside meetings, though it is a general dictation utility rather than a dedicated meeting-recording assistant.
Best suited for
Close Notetaker is an AI notetaking capability built directly into Close, a sales CRM aimed at small and mid-sized teams. It automatically transcribes and summarizes calls and meetings within Close, covering both human-rep conversations and calls handled by Chloe, Close's AI sales teammate. Because it lives inside the CRM, every captured conversation is stored, searchable, and tied to the relevant contacts and deals, so sales reps can review what was discussed without taking manual notes during the call. According to Close, Notetaker is available to all customers and works out of the box with no separate configuration, alongside other Chloe capabilities such as pipeline suggestions and CRM enrichment. Transcription supports calls made in more than twenty languages, which helps teams operating across regions. By keeping recordings, transcripts, and summaries within the same system that holds the pipeline and customer records, Close Notetaker reduces context switching between a standalone notetaker and the CRM, and keeps conversation history attached to the accounts it relates to. It is positioned as a core feature of the Close platform rather than a separate purchase. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
BetterDictation is a free tier with paid upgrades (paid); Close Notetaker is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | BetterDictation | Close Notetaker |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | System-wide dictation that inserts text into any macOS application | Automatic transcription and summarization of calls and meetings inside Close CRM |
| Standout feature | On-device transcription using OpenAI's Whisper on Apple's Neural Engine | Captures both rep calls and AI-handled (Chloe) calls |
| Team usage | Offline operation for basic dictation with no cloud round-trips | Searchable conversation records tied to contacts and deals |
| Integrations | Support for 100+ languages with automatic punctuation | Transcription across more than twenty languages |
| Languages & capture | Push-to-talk and toggle-to-talk recording modes | Works out of the box with no separate configuration |
| Best-fit workflow | Optional Pro post-processing: stammer correction and automatic formatting | Part of the broader Chloe AI assistant within Close |
BetterDictation
Choose BetterDictation if you need dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps — strengths include runs locally on-device for privacy; vendor states no audio or transcripts are stored.
Close Notetaker
Choose Close Notetaker if you need close crm sales teams capturing call and meeting summaries automatically — strengths include lives natively inside close crm, keeping notes attached to records.
BetterDictation
Close Notetaker
It depends on your workflow. BetterDictation is strong for dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps, while Close Notetaker is strong for close crm sales teams capturing call and meeting summaries automatically. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
BetterDictation is a free tier with paid upgrades and Close Notetaker 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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