StenoAI and Whisper Notes 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. Whisper Notes: Offline, on-device speech-to-text app for Mac and iPhone that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with auto meeting detection and summaries on Mac. 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 Whisper Notes when recording and transcribing confidential meetings without cloud uploads 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
Offline, on-device speech-to-text app for Mac and iPhone that records and transcribes meetings locally using Whisper, with auto meeting detection and summaries on Mac.
100% offline, on-device transcription with Whisper-based modelsAuto-generated summaries and titles for recordings on MacAutomatic meeting detection for Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom on Mac
StenoAI is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Whisper Notes 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
100% offline, on-device transcription with Whisper-based models
Standout feature
System audio and microphone capture via native Core Audio Tap (no bots)
Automatic meeting detection for Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom on Mac
Team usage
Real-time on-screen speaker labels distinguishing you from others
Auto-generated summaries and titles for recordings on Mac
Integrations
Local LLM summaries through Ollama, with remote Ollama server support
On-device AI chat with longer transcripts
Languages & capture
25 European languages live, up to 99 languages via Whisper after recording
Import of MP3, M4A, and WAV audio files for transcription
Best-fit workflow
Markdown export of transcripts and summaries
System-wide dictation via the function key on Mac
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.
Whisper Notes
Choose Whisper Notes if you need recording and transcribing confidential meetings without cloud uploads — strengths include audio and transcripts never leave the device.
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
Whisper Notes
+ Audio and transcripts never leave the device
+ Works without an internet connection once installed
- Mac version requires Apple Silicon (M-series) hardware
FAQ
Is StenoAI or Whisper Notes 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 Whisper Notes is strong for recording and transcribing confidential meetings without cloud uploads. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
How do StenoAI and Whisper Notes compare on price?
StenoAI is a free tier with paid upgrades and Whisper Notes 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 Whisper Notes?
Yes. Many teams run more than one meeting assistant when the workflows are complementary and the budget is justified.