StenoAI and Wave are both AI meeting assistants for recording, transcription, and summaries, compared here on pricing, features, and workflow fit. StenoAI: Open-source desktop app that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings entirely on-device with no bots, subscriptions, or cloud processing. Wave: Cross-platform AI note taker that records and transcribes meetings, calls, and voice memos into summaries. 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 StenoAI when capturing and summarizing confidential meetings without sending audio to the cloud matters most, and Wave when recording browser-based meetings without a bot joining matters most. Both record across Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams; trial each on real meetings before committing.
Open-source desktop app that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings entirely on-device with no bots, subscriptions, or cloud processing.
25 European languages live, up to 99 languages via Whisper after recordingLocal LLM summaries through Ollama, with remote Ollama server supportMarkdown export of transcripts and summaries
Cross-platform AI note taker that records and transcribes meetings, calls, and voice memos into summaries.
Apps for iOS, Android, web, Mac, Windows, and ChromeBot-free tab audio capture plus combined tab and mic modeEncrypted cloud storage with no model training on user data
StenoAI is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Wave is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
On-device transcription with Parakeet TDT v3 (Apple Silicon) or Whisper models
Records meetings, calls, lectures, and voice memos
Standout feature
System audio and microphone capture via native Core Audio Tap (no bots)
Bot-free tab audio capture plus combined tab and mic mode
Team usage
Real-time on-screen speaker labels distinguishing you from others
Speaker-labeled transcripts with summaries and action items
Integrations
Local LLM summaries through Ollama, with remote Ollama server support
Apps for iOS, Android, web, Mac, Windows, and Chrome
Languages & capture
25 European languages live, up to 99 languages via Whisper after recording
Support for dozens of languages
Best-fit workflow
Markdown export of transcripts and summaries
Encrypted cloud storage with no model training on user data
Best for
StenoAI
Choose StenoAI if you need capturing and summarizing confidential meetings without sending audio to the cloud — strengths include fully local, bot-free capture with no cloud processing or subscriptions for core use.
Wave
Choose Wave if you need recording browser-based meetings without a bot joining — strengths include bot-free capture across many platforms and devices.
Pros & cons
StenoAI
+ Fully local, bot-free capture with no cloud processing or subscriptions for core use
+ MIT-licensed and open source, with active 2026 releases
- Primary support is macOS on Apple Silicon; Windows build is alpha and Intel Mac support ended at v0.3.8
Wave
+ Bot-free capture across many platforms and devices
+ Handles both online meetings and in-person voice memos
- Feature set may differ between mobile, web, and extension
FAQ
Is StenoAI or Wave better for AI meeting notes?
It depends on your workflow. StenoAI is strong for capturing and summarizing confidential meetings without sending audio to the cloud, while Wave is strong for recording browser-based meetings without a bot joining. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do StenoAI and Wave compare on price?
StenoAI is a free tier with paid upgrades and Wave 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 StenoAI and Wave?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.