10 Best Transcription Software for Mac (2025 Guide)

Mac users have access to some of the most powerful transcription software available today. Whether you need to transcribe meetings, interviews, podcasts, or lectures, the right tool can save you hours of manual work while delivering accurate results.

This guide compares the 10 best transcription apps for Mac in 2025, covering everything from free open-source options to professional cloud services. We'll evaluate each tool based on accuracy, privacy features, pricing, and Mac-specific capabilities.

Why Mac Users Need Dedicated Tools

Apple Silicon has transformed what's possible with on-device AI. M-series chips can run sophisticated speech recognition models locally, eliminating the need to send audio to external servers. This opens up new possibilities for privacy-conscious users.

Mac-native transcription apps also integrate better with your existing workflow. They connect with Calendar, support system-wide dictation, and work seamlessly with apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The best tools take full advantage of macOS features like automatic meeting detection.

Local vs Cloud Transcription

Local Processing Benefits

Local transcription keeps your audio data on your Mac. Nothing gets uploaded to external servers. This matters for confidential meetings, legal recordings, medical dictation, and any sensitive content. Tools like MacWhisper and LocalMeetNotes process everything on-device using AI models you download once.

• Complete privacy for sensitive recordings
• 100% local processing on your Mac
• No subscription fees for ongoing usage
• Fast processing on Apple Silicon

Cloud Processing Benefits

Cloud services offer real-time collaboration, meeting bot integrations, and enterprise features. They handle large volumes of transcription without taxing your Mac's resources. Services like Otter.ai and MeetGeek automatically join your calls and share transcripts with your team.

• Real-time live transcription during calls
• Team collaboration and sharing features
• CRM and calendar integrations
• No local storage requirements

The 10 Best Transcription Apps for Mac

1. LocalMeetNotes

LocalMeetNotes stands out as the premier choice for Mac users who prioritize privacy. This native app automatically detects Microsoft Teams meetings and transcribes them using OpenAI's Whisper large-v3 model. Everything processes locally on your Mac. Your audio never leaves your device.

The app includes speaker diarization to identify who said what, plus AI-powered meeting summaries using Llama 3.2. It's completely free with no usage limits or subscription fees.

Best for: Privacy-conscious Mac users who want automatic meeting transcription
Pricing: Free (no limits, no subscription)

2. MacWhisper

MacWhisper brings OpenAI's Whisper model to your Mac with a polished native interface. It processes audio entirely on-device, supporting over 100 languages with high accuracy. The Pro version adds batch processing and system-wide dictation.

Best for: Users who want local processing with a professional interface
Pricing: Free basic version; Pro from $29 one-time (as of Dec 2025)

3. Otter.ai

Otter.ai leads the market for real-time meeting transcription. Its AI meeting agent joins your Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet calls automatically. The platform identifies speakers, generates summaries, and tracks action items.

Best for: Teams needing live meeting transcription with collaboration
Pricing: Free tier (300 min/month); Pro $16.99/month or $10/month annual (as of Dec 2025)

4. Descript

Descript combines transcription with powerful audio and video editing. Edit your recordings by editing the transcript text. The tool removes filler words, improves audio quality, and supports collaborative projects. Content creators love the intuitive workflow.

Best for: Podcasters and video creators who need editing features
Pricing: Free tier (1 hour/month); Creator from $24/month (as of Dec 2025)

5. Rev

Rev offers both AI transcription and human transcription services. The AI option costs $0.25 per minute with 90%+ accuracy. For critical content, upgrade to human transcription at $1.50 per minute for 99%+ accuracy.

Best for: Professional transcription with accuracy guarantees
Pricing: AI: $0.25/min; Human: $1.50/min (as of Dec 2025)

6. Whisper Transcription

This App Store app provides a clean interface for OpenAI's Whisper model. Everything processes locally on your Mac with no cloud uploads. It supports 100 languages and offers multiple export formats.

Best for: Simple, reliable local transcription
Pricing: One-time purchase $7.99 (as of Dec 2025)

7. MeetGeek

MeetGeek focuses on meeting intelligence. It automatically records and transcribes your calls, then extracts key points, decisions, and action items. The searchable archive lets you find information across all your meetings.

Best for: Meeting documentation and team knowledge bases
Pricing: Free tier; Pro from $19/month per user (as of Dec 2025)

8. Krisp

Krisp stands out with its noise cancellation technology. It removes background noise from your audio before transcribing, improving accuracy in challenging environments. The bot-free approach means no visible recording indicators.

Best for: Transcription in noisy environments
Pricing: Free tier; Pro from $16/month (as of Dec 2025)

9. Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe supports over 120 languages and offers both automatic and human transcription. The platform generates subtitles, captions, and translations. Great for media production workflows.

Best for: Multilingual transcription and subtitling
Pricing: Pay-per-use; subscriptions from $17/month (as of Dec 2025)

10. Notta

Notta provides real-time transcription with strong Japanese and English bilingual support. It integrates with Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet for automatic meeting capture. The AI generates summaries and highlights key points.

Best for: Bilingual transcription needs
Pricing: Free tier (120 min/month); Pro from $14.99/month (as of Dec 2025)

Quick Comparison Table

Here's how the top options compare across key factors:

• Best for Privacy: LocalMeetNotes, MacWhisper, Whisper Transcription (fully local)
• Best Free Option: LocalMeetNotes (unlimited), Otter.ai (300 min/month)
• Best Accuracy: Rev human (99%+), LocalMeetNotes/MacWhisper (Whisper large-v3)
• Best for Teams: MeetGeek, Otter.ai (collaboration features)
• Best Value: LocalMeetNotes (free forever), Whisper Transcription ($7.99 one-time)

For Mac users who prioritize privacy, local tools like LocalMeetNotes or MacWhisper deliver excellent results without any data leaving your device. These apps leverage Apple Silicon to run AI models at impressive speeds while keeping your conversations confidential.

How to Choose the Right Tool

Consider Your Primary Use Case

Meeting transcription needs differ from podcast production or research interviews. Live meeting tools like Otter.ai and MeetGeek excel at real-time capture with team features. Content creation benefits from Descript's editing capabilities. For confidential business meetings, privacy-focused tools like LocalMeetNotes are essential.

Evaluate Privacy Requirements

If you handle confidential information, local processing is essential. HIPAA compliance, attorney-client privilege, and NDA-protected discussions shouldn't travel to third-party servers. Mac-native apps using on-device AI eliminate these concerns entirely.

Calculate Total Cost

Monthly subscriptions add up quickly for heavy users. A professional transcribing 20 hours monthly could pay $400+ yearly for cloud services. LocalMeetNotes is completely free. One-time purchase options like MacWhisper Pro ($29) or Whisper Transcription ($7.99) offer better long-term value than subscriptions.

Most tools offer free tiers or trials. Test your top choices with real-world audio before committing. Pay attention to accuracy with your specific content, speaker voices, and any technical terminology you use regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free transcription software for Mac?

For free transcription on Mac, LocalMeetNotes offers unlimited local processing with no subscription. Otter.ai provides 300 free minutes monthly for cloud transcription. MacWhisper has a free tier for basic local transcription needs.

Is local or cloud transcription better for privacy?

Local transcription is significantly better for privacy. Tools like LocalMeetNotes and MacWhisper process audio entirely on your Mac. Your recordings never leave your device. Cloud services upload audio to external servers, which may be used for AI training or accessed by third parties.

Is local transcription on Mac private?

Yes. Local transcription tools like LocalMeetNotes, MacWhisper, and Whisper Transcription process everything on your Mac. Your audio never leaves your device, making it ideal for confidential meetings and GDPR compliance.

How accurate is AI transcription on Mac in 2025?

Modern AI transcription achieves 95-99% accuracy for clear audio in supported languages. OpenAI's Whisper model, used by LocalMeetNotes and MacWhisper, supports 100+ languages. Accuracy depends on audio quality, accents, and background noise.