> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stenoai.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Steno vs MacWhisper

> A direct comparison of Steno and MacWhisper: two local, on-device Mac transcription tools — cost, open source, and meeting features.

MacWhisper and Steno are the two closest tools in this comparison: both run on-device on a Mac, both avoid meeting bots, and both are built on open-source speech models. The differences are cost and licensing, and scope — MacWhisper is a paid, closed-source transcription app that has added meeting features, while Steno is free, open source, and purpose-built as a meeting recorder and summarizer.

## At a glance

|                      | Steno                                     | MacWhisper                                               |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Audio processing** | On your Mac                               | On your Mac                                              |
| **Transcription**    | On-device (Parakeet / Whisper)            | On-device (Whisper, Parakeet)                            |
| **Summarization**    | On-device (local model) or optional cloud | Optional (local or cloud AI add-ons)                     |
| **Meeting bot**      | No                                        | No                                                       |
| **Price**            | Free (personal & team)                    | Free tier / one-time Pro license (\~€64) or subscription |
| **Open source**      | Yes (MIT)                                 | No (built on open-source Whisper)                        |
| **Focus**            | Meeting recorder + summarizer             | General transcription (files, meetings, media)           |
| **Works offline**    | Yes                                       | Yes (core transcription)                                 |
| **Platform**         | macOS only                                | macOS only                                               |

*MacWhisper details as of 2026; check macwhisper.com for current pricing and features.*

## Both are local and private

This is the one comparison where privacy posture is similar. MacWhisper transcribes on-device using Whisper and Parakeet, records system audio, and does not put a bot in your call — much like Steno. Both keep your audio on your Mac for the core transcription work, and both offer optional cloud AI features you can choose to turn on.

## The differences: cost, licensing, and scope

* **Cost and licensing** — Steno is free for personal and team use and open source (MIT), so you can inspect exactly how it handles your data. MacWhisper is a paid, closed-source app: a free tier plus a one-time Pro license (about €64 as of 2026) or a subscription via the Mac App Store. It is built on the open-source Whisper model, but the app itself is not open source.
* **Scope** — MacWhisper is a broad transcription tool: batch-transcribe files, transcribe media URLs, export subtitles, and more. Steno is purpose-built for meetings: record a call, get a live transcript, and get structured notes and action items from on-device summarization, with editable report templates.

## When to choose Steno

* You want a free, open-source tool you can audit
* You want on-device meeting summaries and notes, not just a transcript
* You want a purpose-built meeting recorder (live transcript, templates, ask-your-meetings)

## When to choose MacWhisper

* You transcribe a wide range of files and media, not only meetings
* You want batch transcription, subtitle export, or media-URL transcription
* A paid, closed-source app with a one-time license suits you

***

<Accordion title="Are both Steno and MacWhisper on-device?">
  Yes — both run their core transcription on your Mac and avoid a meeting bot. The main differences are that Steno is free for personal and team use and open source with on-device meeting summarization built in, while MacWhisper is a paid, closed-source transcription tool with a broader file/media focus.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Which is better for meeting notes specifically?">
  Steno is purpose-built for meetings: it records the call, shows a live transcript, and generates structured summaries and action items on-device, with editable templates. MacWhisper can transcribe meetings and add AI summaries, but its heritage is general-purpose transcription.
</Accordion>