Open Source Alternatives to Otter AI and Fireflies

Looking for meeting transcription tools that you can fork, fix, and make your own? This article reviews three open-source options that give you complete control over your meeting data.

We'll compare Char, Meetily, and Amical—the only three open-source meeting transcription tools that let you inspect every line of code, modify any component, and own your data forever.

What are the best open-source meeting transcription software?

Top open-source meeting transcription software: detailed reviews

1. Char

Char is an open-source AI notepad for meetings that gives you complete control over your data and AI stack. Everything is stored as plain markdown files.

The interface works like Apple Notes. You open it and start typing. No list of past meetings to navigate, no calendar integration. Just a blank canvas ready to use.

While you're writing, Char listens to both your microphone and system audio. Once the meeting ends, it enhances your manual notes into actionable AI summaries based on your chosen template.

Available as: Native Mac app (desktop application, Windows coming soon)

Top features

• On-device transcription with Whisper models lets you choose from Tiny, Base, or V3 Large Turbo models that run entirely on your device. No cloud processing required for transcription.
• Custom HyperLLM-V1 for meeting summaries is an open source, 1.1GB model specifically trained for meeting summarization. Runs locally and outperforms generic cloud models.
• Bot-free meeting capture records system audio and microphone directly without joining as a participant. Works with any platform -- Zoom, Teams, Meet, or in-person meetings.
• Open source transparency (GPL-3.0) makes the full code available on GitHub for security audits and customization. Verify exactly how your data is processed.
• Manual notes + AI transcription combines what you type during meetings with full transcript for context-aware summaries. Your judgment guides the AI.
• Self-hosting capability means enterprise deployments can run entirely on-premises with complete infrastructure control for compliance requirements.
• Bring your own AI provider to connect OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, or local models via Ollama. Not locked into a single vendor's API.
• Offline capable so you can transcribe and summarize meetings with zero internet connectivity. Models run locally on your Mac.
• Export without lock-in lets you save transcripts and summaries as Markdown, PDF, or Rich Text. Your data in open formats you control.
• Source-level verification lets you hover over AI summaries to see exact transcript quotes. Trace every claim back to what was actually said.

Pros

• Only tool that combines your typed notes with transcripts
• HyperLLM-V1 built specifically for summarization, not generic AI
• Cleanest interface, no security warnings, simplest setup
• Offers autonomy controls to adjust how much AI modifies your notes vs sticking to what you wrote
• Purpose-built for meeting transcription, not adapted from dictation

Cons

• macOS only (requires Sonoma 14.2+, Windows coming soon)
• No mobile app currently available

Pricing

Free forever for local transcription, BYOK, and all core features. Managed cloud service is $8/month for the easiest setup. Enterprise offers on-premises deployment.

2. Meetily

Meetily is a privacy-first AI meeting assistant that runs entirely on your local machine. Unlike Char, which combines note-taking with transcription, Meetily focuses on recording, transcribing, and summarizing meetings.

Available as: Native apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Top features

• Real-time transcription with Whisper.cpp uses an optimized implementation that runs significantly faster than standard Python-based Whisper.
• AI-powered meeting summaries generate summaries using local LLMs through Ollama or connect to cloud providers (Claude, Groq, OpenAI).
• Dual audio capture records both microphone and system audio simultaneously with intelligent ducking and clipping prevention.
• GPU acceleration support automatically detects and uses hardware acceleration: Metal/CoreML on macOS, CUDA for NVIDIA, Vulkan for AMD/Intel.
• Semantic search via ChromaDB enables searching by concepts and related discussions, not just exact keywords.
• Universal meeting platform support works with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Webex, and any platform without requiring bots.
• SQLite local storage keeps all data locally in a lightweight database that's easy to back up and migrate.
• REST API access exposes endpoints for integrating with other tools and workflows.

Pros

• Runs on all major operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Focused approach to transcription without extra complexity
• Permissive MIT license for maximum flexibility

Cons

• Initial setup requires C++, CMake, and other development tools
• Pre-built releases aren't notarized, causing security warnings
• Summarization quality varies with smaller local models
• No manual note-taking integration
• No public pricing information for organizational tiers
• Steeper learning curve than consumer-focused alternatives

Pricing

Free for individuals under MIT license. Organizational (2-100 users) and enterprise (100+ users) plans are available at custom pricing, but rates aren't publicly listed.

3. Amical

Amical is an open-source AI dictation tool that transforms how you type across your computer. While it supports meeting transcription, its primary focus is hands-free typing with context-aware formatting that adapts to whatever application you're using.

Available as: Mac app (desktop application, Windows support in progress)

Top features

• Context-aware intelligent formatting automatically adjusts tone and style based on the application -- professional for Gmail, casual for Instagram, conversational for Slack.
• Floating desktop widget provides a small, positioned-anywhere widget for quick dictation access without leaving your active application.
• Custom hotkeys configuration lets you create keyboard shortcuts for starting/stopping dictation and executing commands hands-free.
• Multi-language native support transcribes in 50+ languages with native-level accuracy, including seamless mixed-language dictation.
• Custom vocabulary training teaches Amical industry-specific terms, proper nouns, project names, and technical jargon for improved accuracy.
• Voice commands and shortcuts let you create personalized voice commands to automate repetitive tasks completely hands-free.
• Meeting transcription capability records live meetings with both mic and system audio, though this feature is still in development.
• Automatic grammar correction fixes pronouns, adds contextual elements like emojis, and corrects grammar in real-time.
• Works system-wide so you can dictate in any text field across all applications without switching tools.
• Transcription history provides a searchable archive of all dictated text with export options (in development).

Pros

• Excellent multi-language support with seamless language switching
• Completely free with no paid tiers or subscriptions
• Custom vocabulary dramatically improves accuracy for specialized work
• Hands-free workflow with voice commands and shortcuts
• MIT licensed for maximum flexibility

Cons

• In active development toward first stable release—expect bugs
• Meeting transcription features less mature than Char or Meetily
• macOS is the primary focus; Windows support exists but less polished
• App not notarized, causing security warnings
• Smaller community and contributor base (96 GitHub stars vs 6k-8k for others)

Pricing

Completely free with no paid tiers.

Which open-source transcription tool should you choose?

For most developers and privacy-conscious professionals, Char is the best fit. It delivers zero lock-in with complete control over your data and AI stack. Plain markdown files work with any tool, you choose your AI provider, and the manual note integration gives you control over what the AI focuses on.

The code is open source (GPL-3.0), so you can verify exactly how your data is processed. Need enterprise deployment? Self-host it on your own infrastructure. Want to modify the summarization logic? Fork it and make it yours.

Setup is straightforward. No complex configuration, no security warnings to bypass, no hidden dependencies.

Ready to try it? Download Char for macOS or check out the source code on GitHub.

Frequently asked questions

1. Are open-source transcription tools really free?

Yes, all three are open source. Char and Amical are free for all users. Char is free forever for local transcription and BYOK. The managed cloud service is $8/month, and Enterprise tier has custom pricing.

Meetily is free for individual users under the MIT license. Organizations (2-100 users) and enterprises (100+ users) can request custom plans, but pricing isn't publicly listed.

2. Do I need a powerful computer to run local transcription software?

You need a reasonably modern machine. An M-series Mac works best for Char, though Intel Macs function with reduced performance. Meetily and Amical have similar requirements—at least 8GB RAM (16GB recommended) and a decent CPU. GPU acceleration helps but isn't required for basic use.

3. Can I use these tools offline?

Yes. All three can transcribe meetings completely offline using local AI models. You only need internet if you choose to use cloud AI providers for enhanced summaries.

4. How accurate is the transcription?

With larger Whisper models, accuracy typically reaches 90-95% for clear English audio. Accuracy drops with background noise, heavy accents, or specialized terminology. Custom vocabulary features (where available) can improve accuracy for industry-specific terms.

5. What about HIPAA, GDPR, and compliance?

Because processing happens locally by default, these tools simplify compliance significantly. Your data doesn't leave your device, so you're not transmitting protected information to third-party processors. This makes HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, and other frameworks much easier to satisfy.

Organizations needing formal compliance documentation can use Char or Meetily's enterprise plans, which include dedicated support.