Earnote

Earnote is an open source application that records lectures and meetings, transcribes them locally, and writes structured notes.

Earnote records lectures, meetings, and calls, transcribes them locally using Whisper, and writes structured notes with a local language model or optional cloud services. Designed for students and professionals using Apple devices, it captures microphone and system audio together, generating summaries, topics, flashcards, and PDF study sheets. The software runs offline on Mac and iPhone without requiring accounts or cloud subscriptions. It includes features like a custom dictionary for terms, timestamped audio playback, calendar integration, and exports to Markdown apps, Notion, Obsidian, Anki, and task managers. The free version provides core functionality, while Earnote Pro offers additional features through a one-time purchase.

Earnote at a glance

Best for: Student, Writer
Runs on: macOS, iOS
Pricing: Free; Earnote Pro is a one-time purchase
Released: October 2026
Category: AI productivity tool
Website: earnote.dev

Key features

Local audio transcription with Whisper
Structured notes generation with local AI
Flashcards creation for exams
PDF study sheet export
Custom dictionary for names and terms
Timestamped audio playback
Calendar integration for automatic naming
Export to Markdown, Notion, and Obsidian

Use it for

Record and transcribe university lectures automatically
Generate meeting summaries and extract tasks
Create exam flashcards from recorded classes
Search across all past transcripts and notes

Alternatives to Earnote

T-Scriptor — Transcribes and summarizes meetings locally on your device without sending audio to the cloud.
Lecta — Converts class PDFs, photos, and recordings into interactive study materials.
GenOffice — Free, open-source desktop office suite with built-in AI file editing.
Fluence — Converts documents into audio and keeps all data on your phone.
The 1 — Combines classes, notes, homework and AI learning into one app.
Quill — Records separate tracks and transcribes locally on your machine.
Ace — Generates verified four-option quiz questions from your own study materials.
SpeechFast — Dictate anywhere on Mac with 100 percent local processing and no cloud servers.
NoteWorthy — It uses private on-device artificial intelligence without accounts or uploads.
NoteGen — It keeps notes in local Markdown files and runs completely free with no subscription.
Taim — Capture fleeting thoughts instantly and keep them organized.
Recly — It keeps all audio files in your private storage with no proprietary server.

All Earnote alternatives