MacWhisper is a polished Mac app that transcribes audio, video, meetings and dictation on your own computer, using Whisper, Parakeet and other models. It has a free forever tier and a one time Pro license of EUR 64, which is good value next to monthly subscriptions. It is Mac only, and the site does not clearly say which features are free, so Windows users and anyone wanting a clear free plan should look at Buzz.
What MacWhisper is
MacWhisper is a Mac app for transcribing audio and video files, meetings and system audio. It runs on Whisper, Parakeet and other AI models MacWhisper ↗. The developer describes it as private, fast and available with free and Pro options MacWhisper ↗.
You drag in a file, and the app turns speech into text you can search, edit and export MacWhisper ↗. It also records calls, offers system wide dictation, and transcribes podcasts, YouTube videos and media links MacWhisper ↗.
Because the models can run locally, your recordings do not have to leave your Mac MacWhisper ↗. That makes it a good fit for client calls, interviews or anything sensitive. Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this review with our results.
What it does well
Privacy comes first. Local models can process sensitive files offline, so the data stays on your Mac MacWhisper ↗.
It handles many inputs. MacWhisper accepts common formats such as mp3, wav, m4a, ogg, opus, mov and mp4, supports drag and drop and batch processing, and includes a built in editor MacWhisper ↗.
Meeting recording needs no bot. It records calls in Zoom, Teams, Webex, Skype, Chime and Discord, starts and stops automatically, and no bot joins the call MacWhisper ↗. Clients see nothing unusual.
Dictation works everywhere. Real time, system wide dictation lets you type by voice in any app MacWhisper ↗.
Language support is wide. MacWhisper covers more than 100 languages MacWhisper ↗. It can also remove filler words and recognize speakers MacWhisper ↗.
Exports cover most needs. You can export subtitles in SRT and VTT, plain text, Markdown, PDF, HTML and Word documents MacWhisper ↗.
Cloud AI is optional. You can bring your own API keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or OpenRouter, use custom OpenAI compatible endpoints, or run local models through Ollama and LM Studio MacWhisper ↗.
Pro is a one time purchase with lifetime updates, not a subscription MacWhisper ↗.
Where it falls short
It is Mac only MacWhisper ↗. Windows and Linux users need another tool, such as Buzz, which runs on all three Buzz GitHub ↗.
Free and Pro are not clearly separated. The website lists a free forever tier and a Pro license, but its feature list does not say which features need Pro MacWhisper ↗. You may only find a limit once you hit it.
Speed depends on your Mac. Local transcription uses your own hardware, so older Macs will be slower than cloud services. The site's system requirements were not shown in the page text we checked MacWhisper ↗.
Watch where you buy it. The developer warns that scam sites impersonate MacWhisper and says to install only from confirmed links MacWhisper ↗.
Cloud features cost extra. If you use outside AI providers, you pay those providers through your own API keys MacWhisper ↗.
Pricing and plans
Free: EUR 0, described as free forever MacWhisper ↗. The exact limits of the free tier are not listed on the website MacWhisper ↗.
Pro: EUR 64 per license as a one time payment, with lifetime updates MacWhisper ↗. It is sold through Gumroad or the App Store MacWhisper ↗.
There is no subscription for the core app. Optional cloud AI uses your own API keys, so any cost goes to that provider MacWhisper ↗. A free trial of Pro is not listed, but the free tier lets you try the app first.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: Mac owners who transcribe interviews, client calls or voice notes and want files to stay private.
- Good fit: people who prefer to pay once instead of a monthly fee.
- Good fit: anyone who wants meeting recording without a bot joining the call.
- Skip it if: you use Windows or Linux.
- Skip it if: you want a team notetaker with shared summaries in the cloud.
Alternatives worth a look
- Buzz: free, open source offline transcription with Whisper on Mac, Windows and Linux Buzz GitHub ↗.
- TurboScribe: 3 free files a day up to 30 minutes each, and Unlimited at $10 a month billed yearly TurboScribe pricing ↗.
- Otter.ai: live transcription with 300 free minutes a month, capped at 30 minutes per conversation Otter pricing ↗.
- Fathom: free meeting notetaker with unlimited recordings and AI summaries Fathom pricing ↗.
- Apple Notes: free live transcripts on recent iPhones since iOS 18 PopSci, Apple Notes ↗.
Where it appears
ComparedThe Best Free AI Transcription ToolsWhat’s good
- Runs locally for privacy
- Many export formats
- One time Pro price
What to know
- Mac only
- Free vs Pro features not clearly listed
Key features
- Local transcription with Whisper and Parakeet
- 100+ languages
- Exports TXT, MD, PDF, HTML, DOCX, SRT and VTT
- Optional cloud AI providers
- Uploads to Notion, Zapier, Obsidian, webhooks
Works with
Questions people ask
Is MacWhisper free?
Yes, there is a free forever tier. The site does not list its exact limits MacWhisper ↗.
How much is MacWhisper Pro?
EUR 64 as a one time payment with lifetime updates MacWhisper ↗.
Does MacWhisper work offline?
Yes. Local models process files offline so your data stays on your Mac MacWhisper ↗.
Is there MacWhisper for Windows?
No, it is a Mac app MacWhisper ↗. Buzz is a free offline option for Windows Buzz GitHub ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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