Quick answer
Most meeting assistants stream microphone and system audio to a cloud speech service. That creates NDA, firewall, and retention exposure when you discuss real employer architecture. On-device recognition removes the audio network hop and is usually faster.
MeetVision AI runs Apple Speech, Windows Speech, or Parakeet locally by default. An optional disclosed cloud engine exists only if you explicitly enable it. The free forever plan already includes on-device system STT, the invisible overlay, live notes, and free AI model responses for one device.
Start free: what the MeetVision AI free plan includes
The free plan is a real product, not a trial: on-device speech recognition, an invisible overlay, live transcript notes, and free AI model responses for 1 device.
- 100% private, on-device system speech-to-text
- Completely invisible overlay HUD on screen share
- Live transcription & meeting notes in RAM
- Free AI model responses for interview questions
- 1 device desktop activation for macOS & Windows
Cloud vs on-device speech recognition
| What matters | MeetVision AI on-device default | Cloud-streaming tools |
|---|---|---|
| Audio destination | Stays on your laptop by default | Streamed to a third-party server |
| NDA and compliance risk | Lower risk; no audio network hop by default | Higher risk from off-device audio |
| Network latency | No internet hop for audio | Subject to upload, queue, and Wi-Fi jitter |
| Offline capability | Local engine can work without internet | Fails when the connection drops |
| Corporate firewall visibility | No outbound audio by default | Continuous outbound audio traffic |
| Retention | RAM-only session by default | Central database retention |
1. The audio path most meeting apps do not explain
Live subtitles can be produced locally or by streaming raw audio to a third party. Cloud tools introduce three practical questions:
- Who controls the recording? Audio and transcripts may sit in a vendor database you cannot audit.
- Is it used for training? Terms of service can permit model improvement on uploaded content.
- What happens after a breach? A vendor incident can expose confidential interviews and strategy calls.
2. NDAs and corporate laptops
Senior candidates naturally reference proprietary architecture, traffic numbers, and internal metrics. If an assistant streams that conversation to an unapproved service, it can breach an NDA or trigger a corporate security review.
With on-device recognition, the audio stays on the machine. MeetVision AI does not send audio to a cloud STT service unless the user deliberately enables the optional cloud engine, and the product discloses that choice. Only text goes to the selected LLM provider.
3. Why local recognition feels instant
Cloud transcription requires a round trip: record, upload, queue, transcribe, download. Wi-Fi jitter becomes visible lag. Modern Apple Silicon and Windows PCs have local neural hardware that can decode speech without that network hop.
MeetVision AI’s free plan uses the operating system’s built-in recognizer. A higher-accuracy local model such as Parakeet can be selected where supported.
4. Retention: memory by default
MeetVision AI keeps live transcript state in RAM by default and does not require a cloud history. Audio is not written to disk unless storage is explicitly enabled. Closing the app clears the session state.
If you need a record, export or storage should be a deliberate user action, not a hidden default.
Frequently asked questions
Why is cloud speech recognition a risk in confidential meetings?
Cloud STT streams live microphone and system audio to a third-party server. When the call includes employer architecture, client data, or NDA-protected material, that creates contractual and security exposure.
How does on-device recognition work without the cloud?
The operating system or a local neural model converts speech to text on your own hardware. The audio does not need to leave the machine, and the transcript can stay in memory.
Is on-device recognition faster than cloud transcription?
Usually yes. It removes the upload, queue, and download round trip, so Wi-Fi jitter does not freeze the transcript. Local model speed still depends on the machine.
Does MeetVision AI ever use cloud speech recognition?
Only if the user explicitly enables the optional disclosed cloud engine. The default modes are Apple Speech on macOS, Windows Speech on Windows, or a local Parakeet model.
Does MeetVision save my audio or transcripts?
Session state is RAM-only by default. Audio is not written to disk unless storage is explicitly enabled, and closing the app clears the live session.
Is on-device speech available on the free plan?
Yes. The free forever plan includes on-device system speech recognition, the invisible overlay, live transcription, free AI model responses, and one device. No credit card is required.
Start free. Upgrade only when a paid pass pays for itself.
Run MeetVision AI on the free plan for on-device transcription, the invisible overlay, and free AI model responses. Paid passes add premium models, ScreenVision, resume matching, and five hours per day when a high-stakes interview loop demands more.