6 Plaud AI Alternatives Worth Considering in 2025

Plaud's credit card-sized recorder looked promising until you saw the subscription costs pile up. Or maybe you're tired of managing yet another piece of hardware. Perhaps you just want your meeting data to stay on your device instead of floating around in someone else's cloud.

Whatever brought you here, you're looking for something different. This guide walks through six alternatives that take different approaches to voice recording and AI transcription. 

We'll cover what actually matters: how they work, what they cost, and whether they'll solve your specific problem better than Plaud.

Quick Plaud AI Review

Plaud is a hardware-first AI notetaking system built around physical voice recorders that sync with a mobile app for transcription and summarization.

The lineup includes Plaud Note (a credit card-sized recorder at 0.12" thin), Plaud Note Pro (with four precision microphones for 16.4-foot pickup range), and Plaud NotePin (a wearable recorder you can clip, pin, or wear as a necklace). 

All devices use dual-mode recording, switching between phone call capture via vibration conduction and ambient recording for in-person conversations.

The catch? After your 300 free minutes per month, you're paying $99.99/year for 1,200 minutes or $239.99/year for unlimited. Plus, there's the upfront hardware cost ($159-$179) and the reality that you need cloud processing for the AI features that make it useful.

It works, but it's not for everyone. Let's look at what else is out there.

Comparison Table: Plaud vs Alternatives

We shortlisted 6 AI transcription and note-taking tools, let’s see how they compare with Plaud. 

Continue reading for detailed reviews of each of these tools. 

Plaud AI Alternatives: Detailed Reviews

1. Hyprnote

Hyprnote is a privacy-first AI notepad that runs entirely on your Mac. No hardware to carry, no cloud required, and not a single byte of your data leaves your device.

How it works

Hyprnote uses two types of AI models working together on your device. For speech-to-text, it runs the Whisper series from Hugging Face. You can choose from lightweight models like Tiny and Base for speed, or V3 Large Turbo for accuracy. 

For summarization, it uses HyperLLM-V1, a custom 1.1GB model based on Qwen 1.7B that's faster and smaller than alternatives while delivering better summaries.

The app captures both your microphone input and system audio output, which means it works universally across all meeting platforms without needing bots. 

For one-on-one calls, it automatically distinguishes speakers by separating these two audio channels. In group meetings, you manually tag speakers using the transcript editor. 

Everything processes locally in real-time, though latency depends on which model you choose and your Mac's hardware power.

Key Features

• Complete local processing: Speech-to-text and AI summarization happen on your device using Whisper models and HyperLLM-V1 (a custom 1.1GB model that outperforms larger alternatives)

• Universal meeting compatibility: Works with Zoom, Teams, Meet, and every other platform without bots—captures your microphone and system audio directly

• Unlimited everything on free plan: No artificial caps on transcripts or AI summaries, ever

• Works offline: Take notes, record, and transcribe without internet connectivity

• Flexible AI options: Go fully local, connect to OpenAI/Mistral/Ollama, or use custom endpoints—you choose your AI provider

• Open-source: Inspect the code, contribute, or customize it for your needs

• Enterprise deployment: On-prem, VPC, or hybrid options with SSO, consent management, and admin controls

Pros vs Plaud

• No subscription required for core features (vs Plaud's $99-239/year after free minutes run out)

• Zero cloud dependency. Works in Antarctica, on flights, anywhere (vs Plaud requiring cloud for AI features)

• No hardware to carry, charge, or remember 

• Truly unlimited transcription and summaries (vs Plaud's 300-minute monthly cap on free tier)

• Open-source transparency (vs Plaud's closed system)

Cons

• macOS only, requires Sonoma 14.2+ and works best on M-series chips (Plaud works with any phone)

• Manual speaker tagging needed for group meetings (Plaud has automatic speaker labels)

• No app for field recording away from your computer (Plaud's main strength)

• Fewer integrations currently—Obsidian and Attio vs Plaud's broader ecosystem

Pricing

Hyprnote flips the typical pricing model on its head. Everything that matters—unlimited transcription, unlimited AI summaries, real-time recording—is completely free. Forever.

Pro ($8/month) adds unlimited chat with your notes, unlimited custom templates, and workflow automation. But honestly? Most people never need to upgrade. The free plan handles meeting notes perfectly without the "upgrade to unlock" pressure you get elsewhere.

Enterprise pricing kicks in when you need on-prem deployment, SSO, consent management, or admin controls for compliance-sensitive environments. Contact sales for custom quotes, but the base product remains genuinely free for individual use.

2. iFLYTEK Smart Recorder Pro

iFLYTEK Smart Recorder Pro is a standalone hardware recorder with built-in touchscreen that transcribes offline. 

How it works

iFLYTEK takes a self-contained approach. The device packs eight microphones (two directional, six omnidirectional) that capture audio from up to 15 meters away, along with an octa-core processor that handles real-time transcription directly on the device. No phone or internet required during recording. 

The 3.5-inch touchscreen lets you see transcriptions appear as you record, switch between four recording modes (intelligent, conference, interview, speech), and mark important moments with bookmarks.

Unlike Plaud's sync-and-process model, iFLYTEK transcribes as you record using on-device AI. The transcription happens locally for privacy, though you can connect to WiFi or insert a 4G SIM card for cloud syncing. 

Files export to PDF, Word, or TXT, and you can transfer them via USB or access through their web portal at cloud.iflytekrecord.com.

Key Features

• Offline transcription: Real-time speech-to-text without internet connection, processing happens on-device

• Professional microphone array: 8 mics (2 directional + 6 omnidirectional) with 15-meter range and 360-degree pickup

• Built-in 3.5-inch touchscreen: Review transcripts immediately, no phone required

• Four recording modes: Customized microphone positioning and noise reduction for different scenarios (meetings, interviews, speeches, lectures)

• Multilingual support: Transcribes 8 languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Hungarian

• Massive battery: 2500mAh provides extended recording sessions

• 32GB storage: Holds approximately 175 hours of recordings, plus 5GB cloud storage (valid 3 years)

• 8MP camera: Integrated for real-time subtitle generation on video

Pros vs Plaud

• Completely standalone device with touchscreen (vs Plaud requiring your phone to see transcriptions)

• True offline transcription during recording (vs Plaud's cloud-only processing)

• Much longer microphone range at 15 meters (vs Plaud's close-proximity design)

• Larger battery at 2500mAh (vs Plaud's 400mAh)

• Can work with 4G SIM card for connectivity anywhere

• More storage at 32GB (vs Plaud's 64GB, but iFLYTEK doesn't count against monthly limits)

Cons

• Significantly larger and heavier than Plaud's credit card form factor

• More expensive upfront with no clear ongoing subscription model

• Fewer supported languages at 8 (vs Plaud's 112)

• Cloud storage expires after 3 years with no announced renewal option

• Transfer to Mac requires Android File Transfer software

Pricing

iFLYTEK's pricing reflects its position as a professional-grade tool rather than a consumer gadget. The Smart Recorder Pro currently lists at $329.99 (reduced from $369.99), while the standard Smart Recorder runs $199.99.

Here's where it gets interesting: there's no monthly subscription or transcription minute limits. You buy the hardware once, get 5GB of cloud storage valid for three years, and transcribe as much as you want offline. 

After three years, the cloud storage expires, but they haven't announced what happens next—presumably a renewal fee or you just keep using local storage.

3. Mobvoi TicNote

Mobvoi TicNote is a credit card-sized recorder with an integrated AI agent "Shadow" that doesn't just transcribe, it learns your work patterns and proactively surfaces insights.

How it works

TicNote takes Plaud's magnetic attachment approach but adds an AI agent layer that changes the game. 

The hardware captures audio through three MEMS microphones with dual modes (phone calls via vibration conduction, ambient recording for meetings), then uploads to the cloud where Shadow, powered by GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, and DeepSeek-R1, handles transcription in 120+ languages.

The twist is Shadow's project-centric intelligence. Instead of treating each recording as isolated, you organize files into projects. 

Shadow builds contextual knowledge across everything in a project, meaning when you ask it questions or request research, it pulls from your entire conversation history within that project. 

The more you use it, the smarter Shadow gets at connecting dots and surfacing "Aha Moments," insights you didn't explicitly ask for.

Key Features

• Shadow AI agent: Goes beyond transcription with Flash Chat, Deep Think, Random Thought capture, and Deep Research across project files

• Project-based organization: AI builds contextual understanding across all recordings in a project for smarter insights

• MagSafe compatible: Credit card form factor (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.118") with magnetic attachment for phones

• Dual recording modes: Toggle between phone call capture and environmental recording

• Small OLED display: Shows battery, recording status, and Bluetooth connectivity at a glance

• Massive storage: 64GB internal (434 hours) plus unlimited cloud storage

• 25-hour battery life: 470mAh battery with 20+ days standby

• 120+ languages: Transcription and translation across extensive language support

• Multimodal input: Add photos and notes during recording that integrate into AI summaries

• AI Podcast creation: Convert recordings into shareable podcasts with voice effects

Pros vs Plaud

• AI agent that learns and proactively surfaces insights (vs Plaud's static processing)

• Double the free credits at 600 minutes/month (vs Plaud's 300 minutes)

• Project-based intelligence connects conversations contextually (vs Plaud's isolated recordings)

• More languages at 120+ (vs Plaud's 112)

• Slightly longer battery life at 25 hours (vs Plaud's 30 hours continuous)

• Can add photos and notes in real-time during recording

Cons

• Requires cloud processing for all AI features, no offline transcription (unlike iFLYTEK)

• Credit-based pricing can be confusing compared to minute-based systems

• Heavier at 71 grams vs Plaud's 29 grams (though still pocket-friendly)

• AI agent features only shine if you heavily use the project organization system

• U.S.-based cloud storage might concern international users

Pricing

TicNote costs $159.99 for hardware—matching Plaud's entry point. 

The free tier gives 300 transcription minutes monthly (same as Plaud) but includes AI agent features Plaud doesn't offer. 

Pro runs $79/year for 2,000 minutes versus Plaud's $99/year for 1,200 minutes, making it better value if you need the extra capacity. 

Business tier ($239/year) delivers 6,000 minutes with unlimited audio imports and AI Speech Enhancement. 

The real differentiator is Shadow's contextual intelligence—if you organize work into projects and want an AI that connects dots across conversations, TicNote's pricing makes sense. If you just need straightforward transcription, you're paying extra for features you won't use.

4. Notta Memo

Notta Memo is Japanese AI unicorn's entry into hardware. An ultra-lightweight recorder (under 1 ounce) with five-platform ecosystem connecting web, mobile, Chrome extension, and hardware seamlessly.

How it works

The device weighs just 28 grams with four MEMS microphones plus one bone conduction mic for phone calls. Toggle between live mode (ambient recording) and call mode (phone recording via vibration detection), then recordings automatically sync via Bluetooth or WiFi to Notta's cloud platform.

The real differentiator isn't the hardware, it's the mature software ecosystem behind it. Your recordings flow across web interface, iOS app, Android app, Chrome extension, and the device itself with AI context maintained throughout. 

Start recording on hardware, edit on mobile, analyze on web, share via browser extension. The platform handles transcription in 58 languages, then generates summaries, mind maps, and integrates with 30+ templates.

Key Features

• Five-platform ecosystem: Seamless sync across hardware, web, iOS, Android, and Chrome extension with maintained AI context

• Ultra-lightweight: 28 grams (under 1 ounce), 3.5mm thick credit card design

• Bone conduction technology: Captures both sides of phone calls clearly via vibration detection

• MagSafe compatible: Magnetic case attaches to phone or any metal surface

• Massive local storage: 32GB holds approximately 2,000 hours of recordings

• 30-hour battery life: 470mAh with 28-day standby, 1.5-hour charge time

• 58 language support: Transcription and translation across major languages

• Small display: Shows recording mode, battery, Bluetooth status at a glance

• Enterprise security: SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001 compliant with data hosted on AWS

• Zapier integration: Connects to hundreds of productivity apps for workflow automation

Pros vs Plaud

• Backed by proven enterprise platform (10M users) rather than hardware-first startup

• Five-platform ecosystem vs Plaud's hardware + mobile app approach

• Lighter at 28 grams (vs Plaud's 29 grams—barely noticeable but technically wins)

• Better local storage value at 2,000 hours vs Plaud's 480 hours (64GB vs 32GB)

• More mature software with workflow automation via Zapier

• Enterprise customers already trust the brand (68% of Japan's Nikkei 225)

Cons

• Fewer supported languages at 58 (vs Plaud's 112)

• Shorter battery at 30 hours vs Plaud's 30 hours continuous (actually comparable)

• Requires cloud processing, no offline AI (like Plaud)

• Free plan only shows first 3 minutes of transcripts unless upgraded

• Some users report transcription accuracy varies significantly by language

• Limited to 10-foot optimal recording distance

Pricing

Notta Memo costs $149 for the hardware. This gets you the device plus a "Starter Plan" with 300 minutes monthly transcription, same as Plaud's free tier.

Here's where things get interesting: Notta's software pricing sits between basic and premium. Pro plan runs $13.49/month , giving unlimited transcription minutes with a 200 uploaded file monthly cap. Business plan starts at $27.99/user/month with unlimited transcription and uploaded files.

Compare this to Plaud's $99.99/year Pro (1,200 minutes/month) or $239.99/year Unlimited. If you need truly unlimited transcription, Notta's annual Pro delivers better value than Plaud's $99 plan that still caps you at 1,200 minutes monthly. But if 1,200 minutes covers your needs, Plaud's Pro is slightly cheaper.

5. Deepscribe

Deepscribe is an enterprise-grade AI medical scribe built specifically for healthcare. It captures patient conversations and generates clinical documentation directly in EHR systems, not a general-purpose recorder.

How it works

Physicians use an iOS app during patient visits, and the AI—trained on data from over 2 million patient encounters—listens to natural doctor-patient conversations, extracts medically relevant information, and automatically populates discrete EHR fields with complete, billable documentation.

It integrates deeply with major EHR systems (Epic, athenaOne, eClinicalWorks, DrChrono) and includes AI pre-charting that pulls forward patient history, labs, imaging, medications, and diagnoses for context. The AI learns individual physician styles and continuously adapts to their documentation preferences.

Key Features

• Ambient capture: Records patient visits in background without disrupting clinical workflow

• EHR-ready documentation: Generates complete SOAP notes directly in EHR systems with proper field mapping

• AI pre-charting: Automatically summarizes patient history, labs, imaging, prior visits before appointments

• Specialty templates: Customizable note formats for different medical specialties and workflows

• AI coding: Automated medical coding with real-time insights and audit-ready documentation

• Trained on clinical data: 2 million+ real patient encounters, not generic conversations

• Enterprise security: HIPAA compliant, end-to-end AES-256 encryption, de-identified patient data

• Telehealth compatible: Works for virtual and in-person visits

• Multiple EHR integrations: Epic, athenaOne, eClinicalWorks, DrChrono, AdvancedMD, Veradigm

Pros vs Plaud

• Purpose-built for healthcare vs. general recording (completely different use cases)

• Generates billable EHR documentation vs. basic transcripts

• HIPAA compliant with healthcare-specific security vs. general cloud storage

• Reduces documentation time by 75% (clinically validated) vs. just transcription

• Trained on actual clinical conversations vs. generic speech models

Cons

• Healthcare-only solution, not usable for business meetings or general recording

• Requires sales consultation and custom quote, no transparent pricing

• Much more expensive than consumer recorders

• iOS only, no Android support

• Requires EHR integration, can't work standalone

• Not portable hardware, relies on phone/tablet during patient visits

• Setup complexity higher than consumer tools

Pricing

Deepscribe doesn't list prices publicly—you have to request a demo for custom quotes. Based on third-party sources and industry reports, pricing runs approximately $400-500 per provider per month for EHR-integrated plans, with some estimates suggesting $8,000+ annually per clinician. Non-integrated plans may start around $250-400/month.

Compare this to Plaud's $159 hardware + $99-239/year software, and you're looking at roughly 20-40x higher annual cost for Deepscribe. But that comparison misses the point entirely: Deepscribe generates billable clinical documentation that meets regulatory standards and integrates with practice management systems. 

Plaud gives you meeting transcripts. These solve completely different problems for completely different users—physicians drowning in EHR documentation vs. professionals wanting meeting notes. The pricing reflects that gap.

6. Avoma

Avoma is a cloud-based AI meeting assistant built specifically for revenue teams, combining transcription with conversation intelligence and sales coaching features.

How it works

Avoma operates as a bot-based meeting assistant that joins your Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls to record and transcribe conversations in real-time across 75+ languages. 

During meetings, you can live-bookmark key moments by clicking categories like "Pain Points" or "Next Steps," and Avoma automatically organizes these under time-stamped sections.

After the call, AI generates human-like notes using custom templates (MEDDIC, SPICED, SPIN, etc.) and automatically extracts topics like Business Need, Objections, and Pricing Discussions into smart chapters. 

The platform then pushes this data directly to your CRM, updating custom fields, logging activities, and syncing action items without manual data entry. 

Key Features

• AI meeting assistant: Automatic recording, real-time transcription in 75+ languages, custom AI note templates, AI-generated follow-up emails

• Smart chapters: Auto-categorizes conversations into topics (pain points, next steps, business needs) with timestamps for quick navigation

• Auto CRM updates: Syncs notes and automatically fills custom CRM fields in Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive, Copper

• Conversation Intelligence (add-on): AI call scoring, coaching recommendations, real-time answer assistant, talk pattern analysis, keyword tracking

• Revenue Intelligence (add-on): Deal risk alerts, sales methodology tracking, pipeline inspection, forecasting, AI win-loss analysis

• Scheduler & Lead Router (add-on): Group/round-robin scheduling, lead routing rules, inbound form qualification, SDR-to-AE handoff

• Ask Avoma AI copilot: Query individual meetings, search across all conversations, or analyze at deal/account level

• Smart playlists: Auto-curate call recordings based on rules for coaching and review

Pros vs Plaud

• Software-based, no hardware to carry or charge (vs Plaud's physical device dependency)

• Works across all meeting platforms as a bot (vs Plaud requiring close proximity to conversations)

• Deep sales features like CRM automation and deal intelligence (vs Plaud's basic transcription/summary)

• Unlimited transcription with no monthly minute caps on any paid plan (vs Plaud's 300-minute limit on free tier)

• Free viewer/collaborator seats for managers and non-recording team members

• Integrates with 6,000+ apps through native connections and Zapier

Cons

• Cloud-only with bot visibility that can affect conversation dynamics (vs Plaud's discreet recording)

• Add-on costs stack up quickly—conversation and revenue intelligence each cost $35/user/month extra

• Designed for sales teams, potentially overkill if you just need simple meeting notes

• Requires annual billing for Enterprise features (SSO, HIPAA, advanced security)

• Minimum seat requirements on higher tiers

Pricing

Avoma's pricing looks straightforward until you realize the good stuff costs extra. The base Organization plan starts at $29/user/month (billed annually) and includes unlimited transcription, AI notes, CRM automation, and scheduling. This handles core meeting needs competently without artificial limits.

But here's where it gets interesting: to unlock conversation intelligence features like call scoring, coaching insights, and keyword tracking, add another $29/user/month. Want revenue intelligence with deal risk alerts and pipeline tracking? That's another $29/user/month. Need advanced lead routing? Add $19/user/month for the Scheduler add-on.

For teams that actually need the full revenue intelligence stack, Avoma delivers legitimate ROI by replacing multiple tools (Otter + basic CRM automation + coaching software). 

But if you're just looking for meeting transcription, this is expensive overkill compared to simpler alternatives.

Which Plaud Alternative Should You Choose?

The right tool depends on what matters most to you:

Choose Hyprnote if you're on a Mac and privacy is non-negotiable. It's the only option here that keeps everything local—no cloud, no subscriptions, no data leaving your device. Perfect for healthcare professionals, lawyers, consultants, or anyone in compliance-sensitive roles who needs unlimited meeting notes without worrying about where their data ends up.

Choose iFLYTEK Smart Recorder Pro if you need professional-grade field recording with a standalone device. The built-in touchscreen and 15-meter microphone range make it ideal for journalists, researchers, or anyone recording lectures and conferences where you can't rely on your phone or laptop.

Choose Mobvoi TicNote if you want hands-free recording without carrying a separate device. The wearable form factor works for casual note-taking, but the limited battery and cloud dependency make it less suitable for all-day use.

Choose Notta Memo if you're looking for the most affordable hardware option with decent transcription. At $69 plus subscription, it's the cheapest entry point for hardware recording, though you'll need your phone nearby to unlock most features.

Choose Deepscribe if you're a physician drowning in EHR documentation. This isn't a meeting recorder—it's a clinical documentation tool that generates billable notes. The price reflects that: 20-40x more expensive than consumer tools, but it solves a completely different problem.

Choose Avoma if you're on a sales team and need more than transcription. The CRM automation, deal intelligence, and coaching features justify the cost if you're already using multiple tools for revenue operations. But if you just want meeting notes, this is overkill.

Try Hyprnote Free

Ready to take meeting notes without the cloud dependency or subscription treadmill? Hyprnote gives you unlimited transcription and AI summaries completely free—no credit card, no trials that expire, no catch.

Download Hyprnote for macOS and start recording your first meeting in under 2 minutes. Your data stays yours, on your device, forever.