macOS app that runs Whisper locally for files, meetings and dictation
MacWhisper is a Mac application built by Jordi Bruin that packages OpenAI's Whisper models into a normal desktop app. You drag in audio or video files and get transcripts with timestamps and speaker detection, or record a meeting and transcribe it as it happens. Because models run on the machine, audio never leaves the computer, which is the main reason people choose it over web services. A free version covers basic transcription with smaller models, while the Pro licence unlocks larger models, batch work and export formats.
Last updated: 2026-09-20. This site only provides an index; for exact features, pricing, and licensing, see the official website.
private transcription, interview and meeting notes, subtitle files and podcast drafts
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No. The Whisper models run on your Mac, so recordings stay on the machine. Some optional cloud features exist for specific tasks, but the core transcription path is local, which is the point of the app.
Apple silicon machines run the larger models comfortably and quickly. On older Intel Macs you are limited to smaller, less accurate models unless you accept much longer processing times.
It is sold as a one-off Pro licence with a free tier for basic use, which makes it cheaper than subscription transcription services over time. Some newer features have been offered as paid upgrades.
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