An offline transcription app processes speech to text directly on your device — no internet, no cloud servers, no uploading your audio anywhere. Everything stays on your phone.
Why does this matter? Two reasons: privacy and reliability.
Privacy because cloud transcription services send your audio to remote servers where it can be stored, accessed by employees, used to train AI, or exposed in data breaches. (See: Otter.ai's 2025 class action lawsuit for a real-world example.)
Reliability because offline apps work everywhere — on planes, in basements, in rural areas, in countries with restricted internet. If your phone turns on, the app works.
This guide covers every legitimate offline speech to text app available in 2026, with honest comparisons so you can pick the right one.
How Offline Transcription Works
Offline transcription became practical thanks to OpenAI's Whisper model — an open-source speech recognition system that's been optimized to run on mobile devices.
Here's the simplified process:
- You record audio (or import a file)
- A Whisper AI model running on your phone's neural processor converts speech to text
- The transcript is saved locally on your device
- Nothing is ever transmitted over the internet
Modern phones have dedicated AI chips (Apple's Neural Engine, Qualcomm's AI Engine) that make this fast enough for practical use. A 10-minute recording typically transcribes in 1-3 minutes, depending on your device.
The accuracy rivals cloud services because it's the same underlying AI — just running locally instead of on a remote server.
Quick Comparison Table
| App | Price | iPhone | Android | Mac | AI Summaries | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viska | $6.99/$4.99 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | 90+ |
| WhisperNotes | $4.99 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | 90+ |
| Google Recorder | Free | ❌ | Pixel only | ❌ | ❌ | 8 |
| Apple Dictation | Free | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ~60 |
| MacWhisper | Free/$29 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | 90+ |
| 360Converter | Free/$9.99 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | 90+ |
Detailed Reviews
1. Viska — Best Offline Transcription App Overall
Viska is the most complete offline transcription app for iPhone and the only cross-platform option that includes on-device AI features.
The transcription is powered by OpenAI's Whisper model running locally through whisper.rn. After transcription, Viska's on-device LLM (Llama 3.2) generates meeting summaries, extracts action items, and lets you ask questions about your recordings — all without internet.
What makes it stand out: The combination of offline transcription AND AI meeting intelligence is unique. Other offline apps give you a transcript. Viska gives you a transcript, a summary, key takeaways, and action items — all processed on your phone.
Performance: On iPhone 14 and newer, a 30-minute recording transcribes in approximately 5-8 minutes. Accuracy is comparable to cloud services for clear audio in supported languages.
Privacy: Zero data collection. No account required. No analytics. Audio physically cannot leave your device — there's no network code to transmit it. This makes Viska especially valuable for lawyers, therapists, journalists, and anyone handling confidential meetings.
Pros
- Only cross-platform offline app with AI summaries
- One-time purchase — no subscription
- True offline: works on planes, in basements, anywhere
- Clean, intuitive interface
- 90+ language support via Whisper
Cons
- Requires iPhone 12+ for transcription, iPhone 15+ for AI summaries
- Processing is slower than cloud (trade-off for privacy)
- No speaker identification yet
- No desktop version
2. WhisperNotes — Best for Apple Users
WhisperNotes is a focused, no-frills offline transcription app that does one thing well: turn speech into text using Whisper, entirely on-device.
The Universal Purchase gives you both the iPhone and Mac app for $4.99. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1+), transcription is fast — significantly faster than on iPhone. The Mac version is the star here.
Performance: On Mac with Apple Silicon, transcription is nearly real-time for short recordings. On iPhone, it's comparable to Viska. Accuracy is excellent for English; multilingual support uses the same Whisper models.
Pros
- Excellent value at $4.99 for two platforms
- Blazing fast on Apple Silicon Macs
- Lock screen recording widget on iPhone
- Minimal, distraction-free interface
- Whisper Large V3 Turbo for maximum accuracy
Cons
- No AI summaries, action items, or smart features
- No Android version
- No speaker identification
- iPhone performance lags behind Mac
Best for: Apple ecosystem users who want pure transcription without extras.
3. Google Recorder — Best Free Option (Pixel Only)
Google Recorder is a genuinely excellent offline speech to text app — with one massive limitation: it only works on Pixel phones.
Google's on-device speech model is optimized specifically for Pixel hardware, delivering fast and accurate transcription with speaker labels. The app automatically identifies different speakers, which is rare for offline tools.
Pros
- Completely free
- Real-time transcription
- Speaker labeling (rare for offline apps)
- Searchable transcripts
- Excellent English accuracy
Cons
- Pixel phones only — not available on Samsung, OnePlus, etc.
- Not available on iPhone
- Limited to ~8 languages
- No AI summaries or action items
- Uncertain privacy stance (it's still Google)
Best for: Pixel owners who want free, built-in transcription.
4. Apple Dictation — Built-in but Limited
Starting with iOS 16, Apple's dictation works offline on-device. It's built into every iPhone — no app to download.
However, Apple Dictation is designed for dictation (speaking text into a text field), not transcription (converting an audio recording to text). There's a crucial difference: you can't feed it an audio file. You speak in real-time, and it types what you say.
Pros
- Free and built into every iPhone/Mac
- No download required
- Decent accuracy for dictation
- Supports ~60 languages
Cons
- Not a transcription app — can't process audio files
- Real-time dictation only
- No meeting recording features
- Accuracy drops with multiple speakers
Best for: Quick voice-to-text input (composing emails, notes). Not a replacement for a dedicated offline transcription app.
5. MacWhisper — Best for Mac Power Users
MacWhisper gives Mac users granular control over the Whisper transcription engine. Choose between model sizes (tiny, base, small, medium, large) to balance speed vs. accuracy. The Pro version adds batch processing, subtitle export, and more.
Pros
- Free tier for basic use
- Choose your Whisper model size
- Batch processing (Pro)
- Export to SRT, VTT, TXT, CSV
Cons
- Mac only — no iPhone, Android, or Windows
- More technical than other options
- Pro costs $29
Best for: Podcasters, researchers, and content creators on Mac who need to process multiple audio files with specific format requirements.
6. 360Converter — Best for Windows
The Windows offline transcription app market is thin. 360Converter fills that gap with a desktop tool that runs Whisper locally. It's not flashy, but it works.
Pros
- One of few offline transcription options for Windows
- Whisper-based accuracy
- Free tier available
- Simple interface
Cons
- Desktop only — no mobile
- Interface feels dated
- Smaller developer (uncertain update cadence)
- No smart features
Best for: Windows users who need offline transcription and can't use Mac-only alternatives.
Which Offline Transcription App Should You Choose?
I want the best all-around mobile app → Viska ($6.99 iOS / $4.99 Android, AI summaries)
I'm all Apple and just need transcription → WhisperNotes ($4.99, iPhone + Mac)
I have a Pixel phone → Google Recorder (free, can't beat the price)
I need a Mac desktop tool → MacWhisper (free/$29, most powerful)
I'm on Windows → 360Converter ($9.99, only solid option)
I want AI meeting summaries offline → Viska (only option that does this on-device)
Privacy is my #1 concern → Viska or WhisperNotes (no data collection, no accounts, no cloud)
Tips for Better Offline Transcription
1. Use a Good Microphone
Offline transcription accuracy depends heavily on audio quality. Your phone's built-in mic is fine for quiet rooms. For meetings, use a dedicated microphone or place your phone in the center of the table.
2. Minimize Background Noise
Whisper handles moderate background noise well, but loud environments (coffee shops, open offices) degrade accuracy. Close windows, turn off fans, and find a quiet space when possible.
3. Speak Clearly
Natural speech works best. Don't over-enunciate, but avoid mumbling. Moderate pace beats fast speech.
4. Choose the Right Model Size
If your app offers model options (MacWhisper does), larger models are more accurate but slower. For quick notes, use a smaller model. For important meetings, use the largest model your device supports.
5. Keep Your Device Charged
On-device AI processing uses battery. For long recordings (1+ hours), keep your phone plugged in or ensure you have sufficient charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best offline transcription app for iPhone?
Viska is the best offline transcription app for iPhone if you want AI summaries and action items along with transcription. WhisperNotes is the best if you want pure transcription at the lowest price ($4.99). Both use OpenAI's Whisper model and work completely offline.
Is there a free offline transcription app?
Google Recorder is free and excellent but only works on Pixel phones. Apple Dictation is free on iPhones but only handles real-time dictation, not audio file transcription. MacWhisper offers a free basic tier for Mac users. For a full-featured free option on any phone, there currently isn't one — but one-time purchases of $5-8 are far cheaper than subscription alternatives.
Can I transcribe meetings offline on Android?
Yes. Viska ($4.99, one-time) works offline on Android and includes AI meeting summaries. Google Recorder works on Pixel phones only. Other Android offline options are limited — most Android transcription apps require internet.
How accurate are offline transcription apps?
Very accurate. Apps using OpenAI's Whisper model (Viska, WhisperNotes, MacWhisper) achieve word error rates comparable to cloud services — typically 5-10% for clear English audio. Accuracy depends on audio quality, background noise, accents, and language. Learn more about Whisper's accuracy →
Do offline transcription apps support multiple languages?
Whisper-based apps (Viska, WhisperNotes, MacWhisper, 360Converter) support 90+ languages. Google Recorder supports ~8 languages. Apple Dictation supports ~60. For multilingual transcription, Whisper-based apps are the clear choice.
Are offline transcription apps safe for confidential meetings?
Yes — that's their primary advantage. Since audio is processed entirely on your device, there are no servers to breach, no data to subpoena, and no third parties accessing your recordings. For lawyers, therapists, journalists, and healthcare professionals, offline transcription is the safest option. Read more about transcription privacy risks →
Ready to keep your meetings private?
Viska — Privacy-first transcription with AI summaries. One-time purchase. No subscriptions. Your audio never leaves your device.
Download Viska →