A lecture recording app that transcribes and takes notes for you
Alt is a lecture recording app that turns what your professor says into a live transcript, then writes an AI summary when class ends. It runs on your own laptop, so the Free plan has no time limits, even if you record every lecture this semester.
What Alt does during a lecture
Instead of racing to copy every slide, you can listen to the lecture and let Alt keep the record. Here's what it handles for you:
- Transcribes the lecture in real time, so you can follow along and still have every word afterward
- Writes an AI summary after class with the main points to review
- Summarizes PDF handouts, readings, and slides your professor shares as PDFs
- Recognizes speech in 100+ languages and translates in real time, which helps in courses taught in your second language
- Records your computer's audio, so classes on Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams get transcribed too
- Converts lectures you already recorded, such as voice memos on your phone, into text when you upload them
- Turns a recorded lecture on YouTube into a transcript and summary when you paste the link
- Lets you chat with AI about your notes when you're studying
Why a free lecture recording app usually runs out of minutes, and why Alt doesn't
A typical college course meets two or three times a week, often for an hour or more. Most transcription apps process audio on their own servers, so their free plans cap how many minutes you can transcribe each month. With a full course load, that allowance can run out quickly.
Alt runs speech recognition and AI summaries on your laptop's own chip. On an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or newer) or a Windows PC, the Free plan has no time or usage limits, and it works without Wi-Fi. On iPhone and iPad, on-device mode also transcribes offline with no time limit.
That also means you don't have to decide which classes are worth recording. Record the three-hour seminar, the review session before the midterm, and the guest talk you might never revisit, without watching a minute counter.
Recording lectures on your laptop, iPhone, or iPad
For in-person classes, a laptop is the simplest setup: open Alt before class, start recording when the lecture begins, and leave the laptop open on your desk. Sitting closer to the front helps the microphone pick up your professor clearly, especially in large lecture halls.
If you take notes on paper or a tablet, you can record on your iPhone (iPhone 12 or newer) or iPad instead. Switch on on-device mode so long lectures transcribe without an internet connection, and keep your device charged if you have back-to-back classes.
Online classes are even easier. Because Alt records your computer's system audio, it can transcribe a Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams lecture directly, with no need to hold your phone up to the speakers.
Ask before you record a lecture
Whether you can record a class depends on your school's policy and on your instructor. Check the syllabus first, and if it doesn't say, ask your professor before you start recording. Rules about recording can also differ depending on where you are, so when in doubt, get permission.
If you need recordings because of a disability, contact your school's disability services office. Lecture recording is often available as an accommodation, and getting it approved means you don't have to ask class by class.
Keep your recordings and transcripts for your own studying, and don't share them or post them online without permission.
A simple study routine with Alt
- Before class: open Alt and start recording as soon as the lecture begins
- During class: jot down only what the audio won't capture, like diagrams on the board or questions you want to follow up on
- Right after class: generate a summary and skim it while the material is still fresh
- Before exams: go back through each lecture's transcript and summary, and ask AI about anything you're still unsure of
The Edu plan for students
Students with a supported school email address can get everything in Pro at a lower price with the Edu plan, including the latest cloud AI models and speaker diarization, which is a Pro feature. If your school's domain isn't supported yet, you can request it on the pricing page.
If you'd rather stay on the Free plan, recording, transcription, and summaries keep working on your laptop with no time limits.
| Device | Where transcription runs | Internet connection | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac (Apple Silicon, M1 or newer) | On your device | Not required | None |
| Windows PC (Intel 11th gen or newer recommended; AMD in beta) | On your device | Not required | None |
| iPhone and iPad (A14 or M1 chip or newer) | On your device in on-device mode | Not required | None |
| Mac (Intel, macOS 14.4 or later) | Cloud | Required | โ |