AI notetaker for Mac · Local-first voice
The AI notetaker for Mac
that keeps audio local.
MacParakeet records meetings on Apple Silicon without sending a bot into the call. Capture microphone and system audio, get a local transcript, take live notes, and use your own AI provider or local model for summaries when you want them.
macOS 14.2+ · Apple Silicon · Free & GPL-3.0
Local transcript
"Let's capture the action items, keep the source audio local, and send the summary only after we review it."
0
meeting bots
Free
GPL-3.0
98
languages
What a Mac AI notetaker should do
Meeting notes without a cloud recorder.
Most AI notetakers optimize for team SaaS workflows. MacParakeet is built for people who want the artifact - transcript, notes, summary, action items - without handing over the raw call.
Record both sides of the call
System audio captures everyone else; the microphone captures you. The transcript is not limited to your mic input.
Mac meeting recorder →Keep the speech pipeline local
Parakeet runs via CoreML on Apple Silicon. Audio is processed on the Mac, not uploaded to a speech-to-text API.
Why local transcription matters →Use AI on your terms
Summaries and Ask features can use Ollama, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, LM Studio, or any compatible endpoint you configure.
AI transcript formatting →Export real artifacts
Notes and transcript export to Markdown, DOCX, or PDF — ready to drop into Obsidian, Notion, or a shared doc.
Free transcript tools →How the notetaker works
One app handles capture, transcript, notes, and optional AI output.
01
Start recording
Open the meeting panel from MacParakeet and record microphone plus system audio at the same time.
02
Watch live notes and transcript
Use the Notes, Transcript, and Ask tabs during the call without inviting a third-party bot.
03
Turn the transcript into output
After the call, keep the transcript local or run summaries and action prompts through the provider you choose.
MacParakeet vs cloud AI notetakers
The difference is architectural, not cosmetic.
| Question | MacParakeet | Common alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting access | No bot joins; records at the macOS audio layer | A bot or cloud recorder often joins the call |
| Speech recognition | Runs locally on Apple Silicon | Audio is usually uploaded for transcription |
| AI summaries | Optional, with your provider or local model | Provider-controlled cloud AI |
| Pricing | Free and open-source | Often monthly or per-seat |
| Best fit | Private individual Mac workflows | Team SaaS admin workflows |
Best for
MacParakeet is strongest when local control is part of the job: sensitive calls, long interviews, recurring team meetings, and transcripts that need to stay portable.
Founders and operators
Customer calls, board prep, fundraising notes, and strategy conversations that should stay local.
Researchers and journalists
Long interviews where source audio is sensitive and a cloud bot is not appropriate.
Engineers and product teams
Design crits, sprint reviews, incident calls, and customer research that need searchable transcripts.
Questions & answers
Is MacParakeet an AI notetaker or just a recorder?
It is both. It records microphone plus system audio, transcribes locally, supports live notes, and can run transcript summaries or Ask prompts through your chosen AI provider.
Does a bot join my meeting?
No. MacParakeet records on your Mac using macOS audio capture. Other participants do not see a meeting bot or external attendee.
Does meeting audio leave my Mac?
Core recording and speech recognition stay on your Mac. Optional AI features only send transcript text to the provider you configure, and only when you use them.
Related MacParakeet pages
Mac meeting recorder
Record meetings on Mac with system audio plus microphone, local transcription, live notes, and no cloud speech upload.
Private meeting recorder
A private meeting recorder for Mac that captures calls locally, transcribes on Apple Silicon, and avoids cloud speech pipelines.
AI meeting recorder
Record meetings on Mac, transcribe locally, and use optional AI summaries with your own provider or local model.
Zoom meeting recorder for Mac
Record Zoom meetings on Mac with microphone plus system audio, local transcription, and no third-party meeting bot.
Try the local path.
Download MacParakeet, record a meeting, and keep the transcript on your Mac.