Is Descript or OpenWhispr better for AI meeting notes?

It depends on your workflow. Descript is strong for editing podcasts and videos by editing the transcript, while OpenWhispr is strong for privately transcribing computer-audio meetings without a bot joining the call. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.

How do Descript and OpenWhispr compare on price?

Descript is a free tier with paid upgrades and OpenWhispr is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.

Can I use both Descript and OpenWhispr?

You can — some teams pair them when each covers a different part of the meeting workflow.

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Descript vs OpenWhispr

Descript: Video/podcast editor with transcription and meeting recording OpenWhispr: Open-source, privacy-first voice-to-text desktop app for Mac, Windows, and Linux that also transcribes meetings into AI-organized notes. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.

How Hosiqo compares and tests tools

Final recommendation

Shortlist Descript when editing podcasts and videos by editing the transcript matters most, and OpenWhispr when turning rough in-meeting notes into structured summaries and action items matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.

Descript

CustomAI Meeting Assistants

Video/podcast editor with transcription and meeting recording

Automatic transcription of imported or recorded audio and videoMultitrack audio and video editingOne-click caption and subtitle generation

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OpenWhispr

CustomAI Meeting Assistants

Open-source, privacy-first voice-to-text desktop app for Mac, Windows, and Linux that also transcribes meetings into AI-organized notes.

AI Notepad that turns rough meeting notes plus transcript into structured minutes

About Descript

Descript is an audio and video editing platform built around text-based editing, where the spoken content of a recording is automatically transcribed and the resulting transcript becomes the primary way to edit the media. When users import or record audio and video, Descript generates a transcript that they can read, search, and edit, with changes to the text reflected in the underlying recording. The platform also offers one-click caption and subtitle generation so the transcribed words can be displayed on screen and styled to match a project. In addition to transcription and captions, Descript provides features for podcast and video production, including multitrack editing, screen recording, and AI-assisted tools. Because editing the transcript edits the media, it is especially useful for podcasters, video creators, and teams who want to cut filler, rearrange segments, or repurpose content without working frame by frame. Descript is aimed at content creators, marketers, educators, and teams who want transcription, captions, and editing combined in a single workflow. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.

Best suited for

Editing podcasts and videos by editing the transcript
Generating captions and subtitles for published content
Producing searchable transcripts from recorded sessions

About OpenWhispr

OpenWhispr is an open-source desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux that converts speech to text and includes a meeting notes capability built on the same engine. Its core function is global-hotkey dictation that inserts transcribed text at the cursor in any application, but it also ships an AI Notepad for meetings, an AI Chat that can reference past meetings, and an audio upload feature for transcribing recorded files. For meetings it captures the computer's audio directly rather than sending a bot into the call, transcribes the conversation in the background, and combines rough notes with the transcript to produce structured minutes that highlight decisions, action items, and next steps. Transcription can run locally using bundled Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet models or connect to cloud models with a bring-your-own-key setup, and the project emphasizes that audio can be processed and discarded for privacy. The codebase is publicly available on GitHub and the app is actively maintained through 2026. It is aimed at developers, writers, and individuals or small teams who want a private, auditable, cross-platform transcription and meeting-notes tool. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.

Best suited for

Privately transcribing computer-audio meetings without a bot joining the call
Turning rough in-meeting notes into structured summaries and action items
Developers and writers who want auditable, local voice-to-text across all apps

Feature	Descript	OpenWhispr
Core capability	Automatic transcription of imported or recorded audio and video	Open-source and auditable, with code published on GitHub
Standout feature	Text-based editing where editing the transcript edits the media	Cross-platform desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Team usage	One-click caption and subtitle generation	Local transcription via bundled Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet models
Integrations	Multitrack audio and video editing	Bring-your-own-key cloud model option for flexibility
Languages & capture	Screen and audio recording built in	AI Notepad that turns rough meeting notes plus transcript into structured minutes
Best-fit workflow	Automatic transcription of imported or recorded audio and video	Full-text search and AI Chat across captured meetings

Descript vs OpenWhispr

About Descript

About OpenWhispr

Pricing comparison

Feature table

Best for

Pros & cons

FAQ

Is Descript or OpenWhispr better for AI meeting notes?

How do Descript and OpenWhispr compare on price?

Can I use both Descript and OpenWhispr?

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