Comparison
An Otter.ai alternative that keeps your calls on your Mac
Cloud note-takers join your calls as a bot and upload the audio to their servers. QuietScribe takes the opposite approach: it records on your Mac and writes the transcript, summary, and action points with models that run locally.
The short answer
For Mac users who care about privacy, the alternative to Otter.ai is a local meeting recorder like QuietScribe: it captures Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, WhatsApp and FaceTime calls and produces transcripts, summaries, and action items on your device, with no meeting bot and no uploads. Otter is better for team sharing, Windows users, and searching notes across a company.
How they compare
| DigitalItUp | Otter.ai | |
|---|---|---|
| Where audio is processed | On your Mac | In the cloud |
| Meeting bot joins the call | No | Yes, for auto-join |
| Apps supported | Zoom, Teams, Meet, WhatsApp, FaceTime | Zoom, Teams, Meet |
| Platforms | Mac | Web, iOS, Android |
| Team sharing | No | Yes |
| Price | Free in beta, then $10/month | Free tier, paid plans |
When Otter.ai is the better choice
Otter.ai is better if your team needs shared, searchable notes, you're on Windows or a phone, or you want a bot that auto-joins calendar meetings. QuietScribe is for individuals who don't want their calls leaving their machine.
Frequently asked questions
Does QuietScribe upload my recordings?+
No. Transcription and summaries run on models on your Mac.
Does it work with WhatsApp and FaceTime calls?+
Yes, along with Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
How much does it cost?+
Free during the private beta, $10 a month after launch.
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