FreeStarting price
0Popularity
Oats featured image

About Oats

Oats is a desktop application for macOS that records and transcribes meetings without joining the call. It captures spoken words through the Mac’s audio input, identifies speakers, and generates a clean written summary stored locally on the user’s device. The app supports integration with local AI models like Whisper and Ollama out of the box, and allows users to connect their own API keys for services such as Claude, Gemini, or OpenAI. All recordings, transcripts, and notes remain on the user’s machine and can be exported as standard files without requiring an account or cloud storage. The tool is designed for users who handle sensitive or confidential conversations, such as lawyers, therapists, clinicians, consultants, and founders, where cloud-based note-taking is not an option. The interface emphasizes simplicity, with no setup required and no ongoing costs.

Key features

  • Local-first transcription and note generation
  • Speaker identification during calls
  • Export notes as standard files
  • Integration with local AI models (Whisper, Ollama)
  • Support for custom AI API keys (Claude, Gemini, OpenAI)
  • One-click data deletion
  • No attendee list presence during recording
  • No cloud storage or login requirement

Use cases

  • Transcribing confidential client meetings for lawyers
  • Documenting therapy sessions for clinicians
  • Recording business calls for consultants

Pros

  • Local processing with no cloud dependency
  • No account or sign-up required
  • Supports local AI models and user-provided API keys
  • Exports notes as standard files with no lock-in
  • No attendee list presence during calls

Cons

  • Windows version lacks code-signing, triggering security warnings
  • Limited to macOS and Windows platforms
  • No mobile or web version available

Frequently asked questions about Oats

What is Oats and how does it work?

Oats is a desktop application for macOS that records and transcribes meetings without joining the call. It captures spoken words through the Mac’s audio input, identifies speakers, and generates a clean written summary stored locally on the user’s device.

Who is Oats designed for?

Oats is designed for users who handle sensitive or confidential conversations, such as lawyers, therapists, clinicians, consultants, and founders, where cloud-based note-taking is not an option.

Does Oats require an account or cloud storage?

No, Oats does not require an account or cloud storage. All recordings, transcripts, and notes remain on the user’s machine and can be exported as standard files.

Can I use my own AI models or services with Oats?

Yes, Oats supports integration with local AI models like Whisper and Ollama out of the box, and allows users to connect their own API keys for services such as Claude, Gemini, or OpenAI.

Is Oats free to use?

Yes, Oats is free to use with no account, card, or trial required. The app runs locally on the user’s machine, so there are no ongoing costs.

How do I get started with Oats?

Download the app for macOS from the official website, install it, and start using it to record and transcribe meetings without joining the call. No setup is required.

Oats compared

Reviews