I record interviews, meetings, and random thoughts. I've tried a bunch of voice memo apps that claim "privacy" while uploading everything to their servers. Whisper Notes actually keeps your recordings offline. Here's why it works.
Why Offline Matters
Most voice apps upload everything to the cloud. Sure, it's faster processing with less battery drain. But your recordings end up sitting on someone else's servers—accessible to employees, hackers, and law enforcement.
Whisper Notes processes everything locally:
- • Your recordings stay on your device
- • Works without any internet
- • Zero tracking
- • No server breaches possible
Interface
Clean, simple. Tap to record, tap to stop. No unnecessary screens between you and the recording.
The main recording interface prioritizes clarity and ease of use
Transcription Quality
Offline transcription usually sucks—cloud services have way more power and better models. Whisper Notes surprised me. It runs the Whisper AI model locally and gets pretty close to cloud accuracy.
What actually works:
- • Accuracy rivals cloud services (though it struggles with heavy accents)
- • 80+ languages—auto-detects which one you're speaking
- • Automatically formats long transcripts into paragraphs
- • Highlights text as the audio plays
Long transcripts benefit from paragraph formatting and synchronized playback
Lock Screen Widget
There's a new feature: a lock screen widget with Live Activity. Super useful when you're walking or driving. Just tap the widget and start recording without unlocking your phone.
Why it's so good:
- • One tap from your lock screen → recording starts immediately
- • Live Activity shows the duration while you talk
- • Capture thoughts while walking—no need to fumble with unlocking
The lock screen widget makes starting recording and tracking status with Live Activity easy
Compared to Alternatives
I've tested other voice memo apps. Here's where Whisper Notes wins and loses:
- • Privacy: Most apps say "privacy" but upload to servers anyway. Whisper Notes actually stays completely local.
- • Price: $4.99 once. No subscription. Incredibly rare in 2025.
- • Accuracy: Not quite as good as Rev or Descript for messy audio. But it's good enough for clear speech and personal notes.
- • Speed: Slower than cloud services. Long recordings take time to process on-device.
- • Multi-device: Enable Handoff to automatically copy transcripts from your iPhone to your Mac.
The biggest limitation: processing speed. Cloud services are definitely faster. But for daily voice memos, interviews, and meetings, I'll gladly take the privacy tradeoff.
Not Perfect
The app crashes occasionally with very long recordings. The transcription edit UI could be better. But updates come regularly, and things keep improving.
Found a bug? Email support@whispernotes.app. They respond way faster than most indie app developers.
Download Whisper Notes