MacWhisper

What MacWhisper is

MacWhisper transcribes audio and video files, including interviews, voice memos, lectures, and subtitle material. It supports 100 languages, speaker identification, timestamps, batch transcription, transcript cleanup, translation, and subtitle export in formats including SRT, VTT, TXT, Markdown, PDF, HTML, DOTE, and DOCX. The Mac app can record meetings in Zoom, Teams, Webex, Skype, Chime, and Discord, with automatic detection of meeting start and end. It also offers system-wide dictation, grammar improvement, and AI prompts for dictation. Users can provide their own API keys for listed AI providers, connect custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints, or use local models through Ollama and LM Studio. The maker says local models can process sensitive content offline on Mac. The privacy policy says app functionality runs on-device and audio, text, and other data do not leave the device, though anonymous licensing-status analytics may be sent. Integrations include Notion, Zapier, Obsidian, n8n, Make.com, and custom webhooks; the app can also be controlled through a CLI. An iOS version can record in-app, transcribe shared audio, create summaries, and support transcript chats. On iOS, local models require iPhone 15 or newer, and cloud transcription has a 25 MB file limit. A free plan is available; MacWhisper Pro costs €64.00 EUR as a one-time payment.

Who it suits

MacWhisper suits people who need to transcribe recordings, create subtitles, or dictate on Mac or iOS. Its local-model options may suit users processing sensitive content offline, while iOS users should note the device and file-size limits.

Limits

The free plan is listed with transcription and subtitle export. On iOS, local models require iPhone 15 or newer, and cloud transcription is limited to files of 25 MB.

Getting started

1. Open the MacWhisper website to get started.
2. Choose the free plan or MacWhisper Pro, listed at €64 a month and billed Pay Once.
3. Use the macOS app for transcription, meeting recording, dictation, or local model workflows.
4. Use the iOS version to record in-app or transcribe shared audio files.
5. Connect an AI service with your own API key, a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or a local model if needed.
6. Connect a listed workflow service or use custom webhooks to upload transcripts.

Verdict

MacWhisper covers transcription, meeting recording, dictation, and transcript workflows, with a free plan and a paid one-time Pro option. iOS users should check the local-model device requirement and cloud file-size limit.