Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. 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. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Daisy when recording and transcribing meetings privately on a mac without cloud upload matters most, and VoiceInk when dictating prompts and code comments into ai chat tools and editors matters most. Test each on your own meetings; the right choice tends to become obvious quickly.
Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server.
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.
Daisy, from Addicted Studio, is a local-first meeting recorder and AI notes application for macOS that records meetings on the Mac, transcribes them on the device, and then exposes the captured conversations as a local MCP server for AI tools. It captures both microphone and system audio from any source, including Zoom, Google Meet, Telegram, and other apps, using ScreenCaptureKit, and performs on-device transcription with WhisperKit plus speaker identification via Pyannote diarization, so audio never leaves the Mac unless the user explicitly enables a cloud LLM provider. Beyond raw transcription, Daisy generates structured notes with action items and follow-ups and supports multiple summarization backends including Apple Intelligence, Anthropic, and OpenAI, as well as MCP. Because it runs a local MCP server, tools such as Claude Desktop and Cursor can read recorded meetings directly, and Daisy can export results to Notion, Linear, Attio, Slack, or arbitrary webhooks. It offers several capture modes covering meeting recording, voice dictation, and quick voice notes. Daisy is a native Mac application (not Electron) for Apple Silicon, is fully open source on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license, and emphasizes privacy with no telemetry, tracking, or required account. The project maintains a product site at mydaisy.io with installation, FAQ, and support documentation. 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
Daisy 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 | Daisy | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Local recording of mic and system audio from any source via ScreenCaptureKit | Local on-device speech-to-text via whisper.cpp and Parakeet (FluidAudio) Whisper models |
| Standout feature | On-device transcription with WhisperKit and speaker diarization via Pyannote | Optional cloud transcription/enhancement through user-supplied API keys (Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, Gemini) |
| Team usage | Structured AI notes with action items and follow-ups | Global keyboard shortcuts and push-to-talk dictation that inserts text into any app |
| Integrations | Multiple summarization backends: Apple Intelligence, Anthropic, OpenAI, and MCP | Power Mode: automatic per-app/per-website switching of transcription and AI settings |
| Languages & capture | Local MCP server so Claude Desktop, Cursor, and similar tools can read meetings | Personal Dictionary for custom words, phrases, and text replacements |
| Best-fit workflow | Exports to Notion, Linear, Attio, Slack, or custom webhooks | AI enhancement modes (email, chat, posts) and audio-file transcription support |
Daisy
Choose Daisy if you need recording and transcribing meetings privately on a mac without cloud upload — strengths include fully local-first with audio kept on-device unless a cloud llm is explicitly enabled.
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.
Daisy
VoiceInk
It depends on your workflow. Daisy is strong for recording and transcribing meetings privately on a mac without cloud upload, while VoiceInk is strong for hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Daisy 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.
You can — some teams pair them when each covers a different part of the meeting workflow.
More head-to-head comparisons involving Daisy and VoiceInk.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Deepting: Real-time AI transcription and meeting summary app for meetings, interviews, and lectures across mobile and web. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Demodesk: AI sales meeting platform that records, transcribes, coaches reps, and automates note-taking, follow-ups, and CRM updates. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. DepoDash: Cloud court-reporting platform delivering verbatim deposition transcription via AI, stenographers, or voice writers. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Deposely: AI deposition platform for litigators covering prep, real-time insights, and transcript review and summaries. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Descript: Video/podcast editor with transcription and meeting recording Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Dialpad: AI-powered communications platform with a sales dialer that provides real-time transcription, live coaching cards, and post-call summaries. We compare them on cost, capture approach, and day-to-day fit so you can choose faster.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Dicte: Privacy-focused AI meeting assistant that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings and voice notes on mobile and desktop. Here's where each one pulls ahead on pricing, features, and the meetings it suits best.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Dovetail: Customer insights platform that centralizes interviews and feedback, with AI transcription, analysis, search, and a research repository. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Dscout: Experience research platform for moderated interviews, diary studies, and usability testing with AI transcription, themes, and analysis. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Echometer: Psychology-based platform for agile retrospectives, recurring team health checks, and structured 1:1 meetings with AI-assisted suggestions. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Edisyn: Real-time AI meeting assistant from a Turkish-founded team that listens to calls and provides live notes, summaries, and suggested questions and answers. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
Daisy: Local-first, open-source macOS meeting recorder and AI notes app that transcribes on-device and exposes meetings to AI tools through a local MCP server. Efficlose: An AI meeting platform offering a bot-free Chrome extension plus desktop and web apps that transcribe, summarize, and extract action items from calls. Which one wins depends on your platform mix, budget, and how hands-off you want notes to be.