yapyap

yapyap is a local-first meeting recorder and transcriber for Linux, macOS, and Windows that converts audio into searchable, speaker-labelled transcripts and action items entirely on your computer.

What is yapyap?

yapyap is a desktop application that records meetings and turns them into clean, searchable transcripts with speaker names, summaries, and action items. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and uses a companion phone app as an optional remote microphone. The app is developed by an independent maker and is designed as a privacy-focused alternative to cloud-based meeting bots—no account, no cloud, and nothing leaves your device.

What makes yapyap stand out?

• Private by default — All audio and transcripts stay on your machine; the app works fully offline, and nothing is ever uploaded.
• Lens system — A single recording can be rendered as a transcript, summary, or action list, plus user-created lenses like standup minutes, interview quotes, decision logs, lecture notes, 1:1 notes, and retro boards.
• Phone companion — Pair your phone once over your own wifi; it becomes a wireless mic, and recordings transfer to your computer without crossing the internet.
• Speaker diarization — Every line of the transcript is attributed to a speaker, and you can search across recordings by speaker name or phrase.
• One-time pricing — Free for 7 days (no card required), then €69 once, forever, with all updates included and no subscription.
• Broad language support — Handles English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Hindi, and more than 90 additional languages.

Who should use yapyap?

• Journalists and interviewers — Record interviews and instantly get searchable transcripts with speaker names, then export quote sheets using the interview quotes lens.
• Remote teams — Capture meetings from Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or phone calls, then generate summaries and action items without relying on cloud services.
• Students — Record lectures and turn them into note-ready transcripts with the lecture notes lens, and search them later by topic or speaker.
• Managers and 1:1 participants — Keep a decision log or 1:1 notes for every conversation, with actions automatically pulled out.

The site also has a dedicated page for journalists and teams.

What can you do with yapyap?

• Create meeting minutes — Record a meeting and receive a summary and action list immediately, then apply lenses for standup minutes or a retro board.
• Search your archive — Use the built-in search to find any moment by typing a phrase or a speaker's name across all past recordings.
• Record from your phone — Start a recording with the companion app on your phone; it transfers to your computer over local wifi when you're back, with no internet involved.
• Write and share lenses — Create your own lens with a custom prompt, keep it private, or share it so anyone can install it with a tap—only the lens travels, never your recordings.

How does yapyap work?

The workflow is listen → recognise → understand → insight. One tap starts recording; every word becomes searchable text; speakers are identified; and decisions, action items, and the gist are written up automatically. If you used the phone companion, the recording lands on your computer over your own wifi when it's back in range, ready for transcription.

Pricing

yapyap is free for 7 days with no card required. After the trial, it costs €69 (once), and that license is yours forever—including every update. There is no subscription, no account, and nothing to cancel. The developer states that even if they vanish, your installed copy keeps working—see the manifesto.

Alternatives

Other meeting transcription tools include Granola, Otter, Fireflies, Plaud, and Meetily. yapyap differs by processing everything locally, offering lens-based outputs, and requiring no monthly fee. See the side-by-side comparison and alternatives guide for details.

FAQ

Is yapyap private?

Yes. Audio, transcripts, and summaries are processed and stored entirely on your computer. The app works offline, and nothing is uploaded to the cloud. The phone companion sends recordings to your computer over your own wifi network only.

Does yapyap require a subscription?

No. After a 7-day free trial, yapyap is a one-time purchase of €69. There is no subscription and you don't need to create an account.

Which platforms does yapyap support?

Desktop versions are available for Linux (AppImage), macOS, and Windows. A companion app for your phone turns it into a wireless microphone; the exact mobile platforms aren't listed, but it's designed to work with your existing phone.

Can I transcribe Zoom or Google Meet meetings?

Yes. Since yapyap records whatever audio your computer picks up, you can use it for video calls, in-person conversations, or phone calls. The site includes a guide on how to record Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and more.

What languages does yapyap support?

yapyap works with 100+ languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Hindi.