Aiko
Free macOS app that transcribes audio and video using Apple's on-device Whisper model - works fully offline, private, and supports 100+ languages.
Aiko is a free, open-source macOS and iOS app by Sindre Sorhus that uses Apple's on-device Whisper implementation to transcribe audio and video files entirely on the user's machine, with no data sent to external servers. Files are transcribed via drag-and-drop, and the output can be exported as plain text, SRT subtitles, or VTT for use in video editors and caption workflows. Because processing happens locally, Aiko is suitable for transcribing sensitive interviews, confidential meetings, and private content where cloud upload is not permissible. Apple Silicon (M1 and later) significantly speeds up transcription, making it practical for long files on modern Macs.
Key Features
- On-device Whisper transcription - runs entirely on your Mac with no audio data sent to external servers
- Drag-and-drop file input - transcribes any audio or video file dropped onto the app window
- 100+ language support - auto-detects the spoken language without manual configuration
- Privacy-first design - zero network requests during transcription, works completely offline
- Export to plain text, SRT subtitles, and VTT for use in video editors, caption tools, and publishing workflows
- Menu bar integration - quick access to transcription from the Mac menu bar without opening the main window
Use Cases
- Mac users who want private local transcription without paying for a cloud service or uploading audio externally
- Content creators generating subtitles for videos without routing media through a third-party server
- Journalists and researchers transcribing sensitive interviews where cloud upload is not permissible
- Podcast editors converting episode audio to a searchable text transcript for show notes and SEO indexing
Pros
- Completely free and open source - no subscription, in-app purchase, or usage limit of any kind
- Fully offline - works on planes, in secure facilities, and wherever internet access is unavailable
- Built and maintained by Sindre Sorhus, one of the most trusted independent Mac app developers
Cons
- macOS and iOS only - no Windows, Linux, or web version is available
- Transcription speed depends on local hardware - older Intel Macs are noticeably slower than Apple Silicon
- No speaker identification, in-app editor, or searchable transcript history - output is plain text only
Aiko Alternatives
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Rev.ai
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