Best Transcription Software for Mac in 2025

Finding transcription software that works well on Mac isn't as simple as it should be. Many popular tools are Windows-first ports, web apps that drain your battery, or subscription services that send your audio to the cloud.

This guide focuses on transcription software that actually works well on macOS, whether you need real-time meeting transcription, batch file processing, or podcast editing with built-in transcription.

Best Transcription Software for Mac: Quick Comparison

How We Evaluated These Tools

We tested each tool on M1, M2, and Intel Macs to assess:

• Native Mac experience: Does it feel like a Mac app or a web wrapper?
• Apple Silicon optimization: Does it leverage M-series chips for faster processing?
• Privacy and data handling: Where does your audio go?
• Transcription accuracy: How well does it handle accents, technical terms, and multiple speakers?
• Real-world usability: Free tier limitations, export options, and workflow integration

Best Transcription Software for Mac: Detailed Reviews

1. Hyprnote: Best for Privacy and Unlimited Local Transcription

Hyprnote is a local-first transcription tool built specifically for Mac. Unlike cloud-based alternatives, everything happens on your device using OpenAI's Whisper models. Not a single byte of your data leaves your Mac.

It works as both a real-time meeting assistant and a file transcription tool. Connect it to any meeting platform (Zoom, Teams, Meet, or in-person conversations), and it transcribes while you focus on the conversation.

What Makes It Stand Out on Mac

• Apple Silicon optimized: Runs Whisper models efficiently on M1/M2/M3 chips
• Native macOS app: Feels like a proper Mac application, not a web wrapper
• Works offline: Transcribe anywhere without internet dependency
• Open source: Full transparency about how your data is handled

What's Free

• Unlimited transcription with no monthly caps
• Real-time transcription during meetings
• AI-powered meeting summaries
• Export as Markdown, PDF, or Rich Text
• Custom vocabulary support

When You'll Need Pro ($8/month)

• Unlimited AI chat with your transcripts
• Custom template building
• Advanced search capabilities

Best for: Professionals handling sensitive conversations who need unlimited, private transcription.

2. MacWhisper: Best for Simple File Transcription

MacWhisper wraps OpenAI's Whisper technology in a simple drag-and-drop interface built specifically for Mac. If you just need to transcribe audio files without the complexity of a full meeting assistant, MacWhisper delivers.

The app processes everything locally on your Mac. Drop in an audio file, select a model size based on accuracy versus speed needs, and get your transcript with synced audio playback.

Performance on Mac

Performance depends heavily on your hardware. Apple Silicon Macs handle transcription smoothly, processing files at roughly 15x real-time speed. A 27-minute video with three speakers transcribes in about 2 minutes on an M2 Max.

Intel Macs work but run significantly slower, especially with larger models that require more than 8GB RAM.

MacWhisper 12 Update (2025)

The latest version adds automatic speaker recognition, making it the first Mac app to offer this feature locally on-device. When you transcribe conversations, MacWhisper automatically detects different speakers and groups their speech.

What's Free

• Unlimited transcriptions
• Tiny, Base, and Small Whisper models
• 100% local processing
• 100+ language support
• Export as SRT, VTT, or TXT

When You'll Need Pro ($29-79 one-time)

• Medium, Large, and Large-V3 models for better accuracy
• Batch processing for multiple files
• Speaker identification
• System audio capture for Zoom/Teams meetings
• Word, PDF, and HTML exports

Best for: Users who need straightforward file transcription without subscriptions.

3. Descript: Best for Podcast and Video Editing

Descript isn't just transcription software. It's an audio/video editor that uses transcription as its core editing interface. Edit your podcast or video by editing the text transcript.

This text-based editing approach makes Descript unique. Delete a sentence from the transcript, and it removes that audio from your recording. No timeline scrubbing required.

Mac-Specific Considerations

Descript runs as a native Mac app with decent Apple Silicon support, though it's more resource-intensive than simpler transcription tools. Expect it to use significant CPU and RAM during editing sessions.

What's Free

• 1 hour of transcription per month
• Basic editing features
• Screen recording
• 720p video export (watermarked)
• 5GB cloud storage

Paid Plans

• Hobbyist ($12/month): 10 hours transcription, 1080p export
• Creator ($24/month): 30 hours transcription, 4K export, filler word removal
• Business ($40/month): Everything in Creator plus team features

Best for: Podcasters and video creators who want to edit by editing text.

4. Otter.ai: Best for Automated Meeting Transcription

Otter.ai is one of the most popular meeting transcription tools. Its bot (OtterPilot) automatically joins your Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet calls based on your calendar, records everything, and shares notes afterward.

The trade-off is clear: convenience for privacy. All your audio goes to Otter's cloud servers for processing.

Mac Experience

Otter works primarily through their web app and browser extensions. There's a Mac app, but it's essentially a web wrapper. Don't expect native macOS feel or Apple Silicon optimization.

What's Free

• 300 minutes per month
• 30-minute max per conversation
• Live transcription in English, Spanish, French
• Automatic meeting bot
• 25 most recent conversations stored

When You'll Need to Pay

• Pro ($16.99/month): 1,200 minutes, 90-minute conversations
• Business ($30/month): 6,000 minutes, 4-hour meetings, CRM integrations

Best for: Teams who want automated meeting capture and don't mind cloud processing.

Also read: Otter AI Review | Is Otter AI Safe?

5. Notta: Best for Multi-Language Transcription

Notta supports 58 languages for transcription and 42 for translation, making it the strongest choice for multilingual teams. Like Otter, it uses a meeting bot to automatically join and transcribe calls.

Mac Experience

Notta offers a Mac app alongside their web interface. The app is functional but not particularly Mac-native in feel. Processing happens in the cloud.

What's Free

• 120 minutes per month
• 3-minute max per recording (severely limiting)
• 50 file uploads per month
• Live transcription for Zoom, Teams, Meet, Webex

When You'll Need to Pay

• Pro ($13.49/month): 1,800 minutes, 5-hour recordings, translation features
• Business ($27.99/month): Unlimited transcription, CRM integrations

Best for: Teams working across multiple languages who need translation alongside transcription.

6. Rev: Best for Human Transcription Accuracy

Rev offers something unique: the option to have humans transcribe your audio for 99% accuracy. Their AI transcription is also available at lower cost, but the human option sets them apart.

Pricing Model

Rev uses a different pricing structure than most competitors:

• AI transcription: $0.25/minute
• Human transcription: $1.99/minute (99% accuracy, 24-hour turnaround)
• Subscription: $29.99/month for 20 hours of AI transcription

Mac Experience

Rev is primarily web-based. Upload files through their website, and download transcripts when ready. No native Mac app.

Best for: Legal, medical, or other professionals who need guaranteed accuracy and can't risk AI errors.

7. Sonix: Best for Subtitles and Translation

Sonix focuses on transcription plus automated subtitles and translation. It supports 53+ languages for transcription and can translate into 54+ languages.

The platform is popular with video producers who need subtitles in multiple languages without hiring translators for each version.

Mac Experience

Sonix is entirely web-based. All editing happens in their browser-based editor, which works fine on Mac but isn't a native experience.

Pricing

• 30-minute free trial (one-time, not monthly)
• $10/hour pay-as-you-go
• $22/month subscription includes 2 hours

Best for: Video producers who need automated subtitles in multiple languages.

Local vs Cloud: What's the Real Difference?

The biggest decision when choosing Mac transcription software is where your audio gets processed.

Local Processing (Hyprnote, MacWhisper)

Pros:

• Complete privacy (audio never leaves your device)
• Works offline
• No ongoing subscription required
• No data used for AI training
• Simpler compliance for sensitive industries

Cons:

• Requires capable hardware (Apple Silicon recommended)
• Model downloads can be large (1-6GB)
• Speaker identification is harder locally

Cloud Processing (Otter, Notta, Descript, Rev, Sonix)

Pros:

• Works on any hardware
• Often includes collaboration features
• Speaker identification is generally better
• Continuous model improvements without updates

Cons:

• Requires internet connection
• Audio sent to third-party servers
• Ongoing subscription costs
• Privacy policies vary (some use data for training)

Which Transcription Software Should You Choose?

Choose Hyprnote if: You handle sensitive conversations, want unlimited local transcription, and prefer open-source transparency. The Mac-native experience and Apple Silicon optimization make it feel like it belongs on your Mac.

Choose MacWhisper if: You need simple file transcription without the meeting assistant features. The one-time payment model is refreshing compared to subscription fatigue.

Choose Descript if: You're editing podcasts or videos and want to edit by editing text. The transcription is a means to the editing workflow.

Choose Otter if: You live in scheduled meetings and want automatic capture without thinking about it. Just accept that your conversations go to the cloud.

Choose Notta if: Your team works across multiple languages and needs both transcription and translation.

Choose Rev if: You need guaranteed accuracy for legal, medical, or other critical transcripts. The human option is worth the premium.

Choose Sonix if: You're producing video content that needs subtitles in multiple languages.

Our Recommendation

For most Mac users who care about privacy and want a tool that actually feels like a Mac app, Hyprnote offers the best combination of unlimited local transcription, real-time meeting support, and native macOS experience.

If you just need occasional file transcription without the meeting features, MacWhisper is a solid choice with its one-time payment model.

For teams who prioritize automation over privacy, Otter or Notta provide the meeting bot experience, though you'll be sending all your conversations to the cloud.