OpenWhispr and SmartDepo are both AI meeting assistants for recording, transcription, and summaries, compared here on pricing, features, and workflow fit. OpenWhispr: Open-source, privacy-first voice-to-text desktop app for Mac, Windows, and Linux that also transcribes meetings into AI-organized notes. SmartDepo: AI deposition summary platform for litigators that produces cited summaries with page-line citations. They overlap on ai-meeting-assistants, so the right pick depends on team size, budget, and which meeting workflows you automate.
For ai-meeting-assistants workflows, shortlist OpenWhispr when privately transcribing computer-audio meetings without a bot joining the call matters most, and SmartDepo when generating cited page-line summaries of deposition transcripts matters most. Both record across Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams; trial each on real meetings before committing.
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 minutesBring-your-own-key cloud model option for flexibilityCross-platform desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux
OpenWhispr is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); SmartDepo is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
Open-source and auditable, with code published on GitHub
AI deposition summaries with page-line citations
Standout feature
Cross-platform desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Multiple summary formats: page/line summaries, key admissions, abstracts, and memos
Team usage
Local transcription via bundled Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet models
Topic detection that organizes content like attorney case materials
Integrations
Bring-your-own-key cloud model option for flexibility
Full-transcript analysis without omissions
Languages & capture
AI Notepad that turns rough meeting notes plus transcript into structured minutes
Human review of AI-generated summaries by legal professionals
Best-fit workflow
Full-text search and AI Chat across captured meetings
Fast turnaround, with summaries produced in minutes
Best for
OpenWhispr
Choose OpenWhispr if you need privately transcribing computer-audio meetings without a bot joining the call — strengths include fully open source, so users can inspect and self-host the code.
SmartDepo
Choose SmartDepo if you need generating cited page-line summaries of deposition transcripts — strengths include citation-focused output suitable for court filings.
Pros & cons
OpenWhispr
+ Fully open source, so users can inspect and self-host the code
+ Local model support enables private, offline transcription
- Primarily a dictation tool, so meeting features are secondary rather than the main focus
SmartDepo
+ Citation-focused output suitable for court filings
+ Multiple summary formats tailored to different litigation tasks
- Narrowly focused on deposition summaries rather than live transcription or general meetings
FAQ
Is OpenWhispr or SmartDepo better for AI meeting notes?
It depends on your workflow. OpenWhispr is strong for privately transcribing computer-audio meetings without a bot joining the call, while SmartDepo is strong for generating cited page-line summaries of deposition transcripts. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do OpenWhispr and SmartDepo compare on price?
OpenWhispr is a free tier with paid upgrades and SmartDepo 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 OpenWhispr and SmartDepo?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.