Offline meeting transcription means the speech-to-text model runs on your own computer, so the meeting audio stays there and you don't need an internet connection to transcribe. Unidesk does this on Apple-silicon Macs and Windows 10 or 11 PCs. On the Free plan, after a one-time download of the on-device models, it records any call without a bot and writes the transcript, summary, decisions and action items on your computer, with unlimited meetings.
How on-device transcription works in Unidesk
- Record. Unidesk captures your mic and your computer's sound, so it hears every app that plays audio: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack and the rest.
- Transcribe on your computer. An on-device speech model (currently English) turns the audio into text.
- Summarise on your computer. An on-device language model writes the summary, decisions and action items with owners and deadlines.
- Keep it local. Recordings, transcripts, summaries and notes live in a database and a folder you choose. There is no cloud sync or cloud backup.
What you need
- A Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later), or a Windows 10 or 11 PC.
- 24 GB of memory for the best speed. 16 GB works, but slower.
- An internet connection once, to download the on-device models. After that, transcription and summaries work offline.
Intel Macs and Linux aren't supported yet. On an older laptop, a Pro or Max plan does the heavy lifting in the cloud instead.
On-device vs cloud transcription
| Feature | On your computer (Unidesk Free) | Cloud (Unidesk Pro and Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting audio leaves your computer | No | Yes, encrypted in transit; not kept by Unidesk, and provider terms apply |
| Works offline | Yes, after the one-time model download | No |
| Speed | Depends on your computer | Ready when the call ends, on any laptop |
| Cost | Free, unlimited | 126 cloud hours a month on Pro, 252 on Max |
| Languages | Currently English | Currently English |
Other apps that transcribe on your computer
These statements are quoted from each vendor's own site, as checked on 24 October 2026.
| App | What the vendor says |
|---|---|
| Meetily | Open source (MIT). "Transcription runs 100% locally on your device by default." Windows and macOS. |
| MacWhisper | A Mac app: "Process sensitive content locally without data ever leaving your Mac." |
When offline transcription isn't the right fit
- Your computer has less than 16 GB of memory. Local models will be slow. Use cloud transcription.
- You need on-device transcripts in another language. Unidesk's on-device transcripts are currently in English.
- You want notes on your phone. Unidesk runs on Mac and Windows only.
Questions
Does Unidesk need the internet to transcribe? Not on the Free plan, once the on-device models are downloaded. Transcripts and summaries are made on your computer.
Is my meeting audio uploaded anywhere? Not when you use on-device AI. On Pro or Max, meeting audio goes over an encrypted connection to our cloud service, which passes it to AI model providers. Unidesk doesn't store that audio on its servers; the providers process it under their own terms. We don't use your meetings to train AI models.
Do I have to tell people I'm recording? Yes. Recording laws differ by place, and some US states require everyone on the call to agree. Tell everyone before you record, and stop if anyone objects.
Download Unidesk free for Mac or Windows.
Meetily, MacWhisper, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Slack are trademarks of their respective owners. They are named only to identify the products discussed. Unidesk is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. Statements about other products are quoted from their public websites on the date shown and may have changed since; check their sites for current information.