Aiko
Aiko: Whisper transcription that stays on your Apple device. Skip the install: WhipScribe transcribes it in your browser. Packs: $4 for 500 minutes, $12 for 2,000, $24 for 5,000; Workspace $19 a month. Up to 10 hours or 5 GB per file. Measured turnaround: about 2 minutes per audio hour. 99 languages. Checked 25 Oct 2026.
Don’t want to install Aiko? Drop the file here.
Every recording starts with a free preview of its opening minutes. Credits never expire.
Transcribe audio on your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro. Whisper runs locally, so the recording never leaves the device.
Get Aiko Official site & pricing
Best for anyone who wants Whisper on an Apple device with nothing sent to a server. Pricing: paid, one-time · 14-day trial.
What it is
Aiko is a paid, one-time-purchase Whisper app for macOS, iOS, iPadOS and visionOS by Sindre Sorhus. Everything runs on the device: open the app, drop an audio or video file, get the transcript. The Mac version uses the Whisper large-v2 model; iOS uses medium or small depending on available memory. There is a 14-day trial through TestFlight before the App Store purchase (the US App Store listed $24 on 12 Sep 2026 — check your regional store).
Watch out for: No built-in batch (the developer documents a Shortcuts workflow); no editing by design — export and edit elsewhere; the Mac app runs Whisper large-v2, iOS runs medium or small depending on memory; no .ogg.
Install / use
View Aiko on the App Store apps.apple.comWhat people actually do with Aiko-style transcription
The tool is the means. These are the jobs — each one priced at published rates, each one wired up on its own page.
Features
| Speaker diarization | No |
| Word-level timestamps | No |
| Streaming / real-time | No |
| Languages supported | 100 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Aiko vs Whipscribe
| Feature | Aiko | Whipscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Desktop apps | Transcription APIs |
| Pricing | paid, one-time · 14-day trial | $4–$24 one-time packs (credits never expire) · free preview of the opening minutes |
| Speaker identification | No | Named in the summary, key quotes and chapters |
| Word timestamps | No | Yes |
| Streaming | No | No |
| Languages | 100 | 99 |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to Aiko
Polished Mac app for Whisper — the default pick if you're on macOS.
Always-on system-wide dictation for macOS and iOS, powered by local Whisper.
Broadcast-style DAW built for journalists, podcasters, and audiobook producers.
Frequently asked about Aiko
How much does Aiko cost?
Aiko is a paid product — published pricing: paid, one-time · 14-day trial. Pricing changes; verify on the vendor's own page before budgeting.
Does Aiko work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
Aiko runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS and visionOS.
How do I get started with Aiko?
There is nothing to install — Aiko is used in the browser. Create an account on the vendor's site and upload or connect your audio.
How many languages does Aiko support?
Aiko lists 100 languages. That is the Whisper-family multilingual set, so quality varies by language — English and the large European languages are strongest.
Does Aiko identify different speakers?
No. Aiko does not label speakers; a conversation comes back as one continuous text. If you need speaker labels, that is a separate tool or a different service.
Does Aiko give word-level timestamps?
No — Aiko produces segment or sentence timing only, so subtitle cues can land mid-word.
Can Aiko transcribe live audio?
No — Aiko works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is Aiko HIPAA compliant?
Aiko does not claim HIPAA compliance. For PHI, run it on infrastructure you control or choose a service that will sign a BAA.
What are the limitations of Aiko?
No built-in batch (the developer documents a Shortcuts workflow); no editing by design — export and edit elsewhere; the Mac app runs Whisper large-v2, iOS runs medium or small depending on memory; no .ogg.
Who is Aiko best for?
Anyone who wants Whisper on an Apple device with nothing sent to a server.
Does Aiko run offline?
Aiko runs on your own machine as a desktop app. Check whether the model runs locally or calls a cloud service — some desktop tools do both.
Can I use Aiko in the browser?
No — Aiko is a macOS, iOS, iPadOS and visionOS application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Who makes Aiko?
Aiko is made by Sindre Sorhus.
What kind of tool is Aiko?
In this directory Aiko is filed under desktop app as a desktop app.
What are the alternatives to Aiko?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/aiko-alternatives comparing Aiko with the closest tools in the same category on price, platform and features.
Whipscribe is a hosted transcription service. If you want transcripts without running infrastructure, paste a URL or drop a file in the form below — you'll have a transcript in seconds.
Transcribe your recordings
Using Aiko today? Send your next recording here and compare the transcript. Transcribe any language, any recording · Transcription services from $0.29 an hour · Transcribe from any meeting or recording platform · How to transcribe, step by step
Explore
All transcription tools · By language · By platform · By file format · How-to guides · Transcription services · Transcription API · Pricing
Related
- Whisper's own translate task writes English text only; to keep the original transcript and get English subtitles on the same timestamps, see translate Korean audio to English.
Long recording to get through?
One file up to 10 hours, as an upload or a link: see MP3 to text for long recordings, how to transcribe a podcast and the SRT generator.
Looking at paid options?
Before you choose a transcription tool or service: see how our transcription services work.