Speechmark is a Mac menu-bar app that processes on-device after the call. Clearminutes adds Windows and Linux, a live transcript during the call, and a network monitor.
A close match, with three real differences.
Speechmark is a serious new entrant with sharp positioning: menu-bar app, no account, one-time pricing, and a Claude Desktop MCP connector. Clearminutes matches its privacy stance (local audio, no bot) and adds three things Speechmark doesn't: Windows and Linux support, a live transcript view while you record, and a built-in privacy network monitor that proves zero outbound connections during a meeting. Speechmark is Mac-only and processes after you stop recording.
| Clearminuteslocal-first | Speechmarkcloud-first | |
|---|---|---|
| Capture & privacy | ||
| Meeting bots | No | No |
| Menu-bar capture mode | Full window (more features) | Yes (menu-bar app) |
| Audio stays on device | Yes | Yes |
| On-device transcription | Yes (on-device) | Yes (Apple Foundation Models) |
| Privacy network monitor | Yes (live, in-app) | No |
| No account required | Yes (local mode) | Yes |
| Transcription | ||
| Live transcript while recording | Yes | No (process after stop) |
| AI & summaries | ||
| Local LLM for summaries | Yes (Gemma, built-in) | Yes (Ollama / Apple Foundation) |
| Bring-your-own cloud AI keys | Yes (Claude, Groq, OpenRouter) | Yes (OpenAI, Anthropic) |
| Transcription | ||
| Speaker identification | Yes (Pro) | Yes (confirm-name flow) |
| Workflow | ||
| Action items + decisions | Yes + TickTick sync (Pro) | Yes |
| Platform & performance | ||
| Cross-platform | macOS + Windows + Linux | macOS only (Apple silicon) |
| Audio & export | ||
| Audio file import | Yes (Pro) | Not specified |
| Integrations | ||
| Integrations | TickTick, Outline, PDF | Claude Desktop |
| Claude Desktop MCP connector | No | Yes |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Free + Pro £12/mo + Lifetime £249 | One-time $49 → $79 (free during beta) |
| Funding | Bootstrapped | Bootstrapped (ChakraBit Solutions) |
Local transcription for unlimited meetings, no bot, no cloud. Pro only if you want speaker ID and cross-device sync.
Last updated: 2026-07-01. Compared from each tool's public pricing and feature data (see sources), as of the last-updated date.
Sources: Speechmark official site (2026-06-21), Speechmark pricing page (2026-06-21), Speechmark privacy page (2026-06-21).
Clearminutes is our own product; we've kept the comparison fair.