01 / SPEAKER DIARIZATION
See who spoke, and when.
A dedicated speaker diarization model labels speaker turns so long interviews and group conversations are easier to follow and review.
A thoughtful MacWhisper alternative
Know who said what.
Turn interviews, meetings, and conversations into speaker-labeled transcripts—with private, on-device transcription across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
✓ Works on device
✓ Free to download
✓ One-time purchase available
YOUR RECORDINGS, YOUR DEVICE
Review a conversation one speaker turn at a time.
Made for conversations that matter
Interviews & research
Meetings & lectures
Podcasts & journalism
A different kind of focus
Less time untangling voices.
More time with the ideas.
MacWhisper is a capable transcription workspace. AI Transcription is worth a look if your priorities are speaker-labeled transcripts, local processing, and a simple one-time purchase option.
02 / ON-DEVICE BY DESIGN
Your audio stays close.
Run supported transcription models on your Apple device. After the model is downloaded, transcription can work offline without sending recordings to a transcription service.
03 / PAY ONCE OPTION
A straightforward way to buy.
Download free and choose the plan that fits. The US App Store lists a one-time purchase for $24.99; subscriptions are also available.
App Store pricing shown in USD; prices and purchase options vary by region. View current App Store options ↗
A fair comparison
Both can transcribe locally.
Choose the workflow that fits.
MacWhisper also offers local transcription and speaker recognition. The distinction is the approach, price, and the rest of the workflow around your transcripts.
| What matters | AI Transcription | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| On-device transcription | ✓ Supported models run locally | ✓ Local models available |
| Speaker recognition | Dedicated diarization workflow | Available with compatible models or providers |
| Apple devices | Mac, iPhone, and iPad | Mac, plus iPhone and iPad apps |
| Price options | Free download; US$24.99 one-time purchase listed | Free version; MacWhisper Pro is €64 one time on its website |
| Best fit when you want | Private transcripts with speaker labels across Apple devices | A broad Mac transcription workspace with dictation and automation |
Pricing and feature details checked October 2026 against the US App Store listing, the MacWhisper website, and MacWhisper's speaker recognition guide. Prices, app versions, and features may differ by region and distribution.
AI Transcription · US App Store$24.99one-time purchase listed
MacWhisper Pro · direct download€64one-time license with lifetime updates
Both apps have free options. This compares the listed paid options; currencies and distribution channels differ.
Made for multi-voice audio
When the speaker matters as much as the words.
Interviews & research
Review answers by speaker and return to the moments you need.
Meetings & lectures
Follow a discussion without losing track of who said what.
Podcasts & journalism
Keep recorded conversations on device while you work through the transcript.
Good questions
Before you
make the switch.
Compare both apps on the recordings and devices you use every day.
Is AI Transcription more accurate at identifying speakers?
Speaker diarization depends on the recording, number of speakers, overlapping voices, and the models each app uses. AI Transcription is built around a dedicated diarization workflow, but we do not publish a head-to-head accuracy result against MacWhisper. Try both with your own recordings to see which fits.
Does MacWhisper also support speaker recognition?
Yes. MacWhisper supports automatic speaker recognition with compatible local WhisperKit models and certain cloud providers. AI Transcription is an alternative with its own dedicated, on-device diarization workflow. Read MacWhisper's guide ↗
Can I transcribe offline?
Yes. Once you have downloaded a supported model, AI Transcription can run transcription on your device without an internet connection.
Does AI Transcription have a free version?
Yes. AI Transcription is free to download with in-app purchase options, including a one-time purchase listed at $24.99 in the US App Store. MacWhisper also offers a free version, with a separate Pro license.
Which Apple devices can I use?
AI Transcription is available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. MacWhisper also has apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
A clearer way to review conversations
Keep the voices.
Keep the recording private.
Try speaker-labeled transcription on the Apple devices you already use.
Get AI Transcription