Earnote vs Meridian
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Meridian leads with 463 upvotes
Lecture & meeting notes, written on your device
Earnote is an innovative open-source tool designed for students, educators, professionals, and anyone who regularly attends lectures or meetings. It leverages Whisper's speech recognition technology to transcribe audio recordings directly on iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with enhanced privacy on iPhone 15 Pro and later models by running entirely on-device. Beyond simple transcription, Earnote automatically generates structured notes, incorporating tasks, flashcards, and PDF study sheets, making it a comprehensive note-taking solution. Its no-account, no-ads approach, combined with the option for a one-time Pro upgrade, offers users a seamless, distraction-free experience tailored for productivity and learning. The open-source nature and easy integration make it appealing for tech-savvy users who value transparency and customization.
Pros
- On-device speech recognition for enhanced privacy and performance
- Automatic generation of structured notes, tasks, and flashcards
- No account, no ads, free to use, with optional one-time Pro upgrade
- Open-source and customizable, ideal for tech enthusiasts
- Supports multiple Apple devices, including the latest iPhone models
Cons
- Limited to Apple ecosystem, restricting cross-platform use
- Features may require some manual setup or familiarity with open-source tools
- No mention of advanced editing or collaboration features
Best for
- • Recording and transcribing lectures for students and educators
- • Capturing meeting notes for professionals and teams
- • Creating study materials with flashcards and PDF sheets
- • Personal explanation recordings for self-review or language practice
Pricing: Pricing not verified
Don't let your work go unnoticed. Get promoted!
Meridian is an open-source AI work journal designed to streamline daily work documentation without relying on cloud storage or accounts. Installed locally on your device, it automatically captures and summarizes your daily activities in plain English, providing a comprehensive overview of your work by the end of each day. Its seamless integration with project management tools like Jira allows users to generate draft updates that are ready for review and posting, saving time and reducing manual entry. Meridian is ideal for professionals who value privacy, control over their data, and efficient work tracking. Its open-source nature and offline functionality make it a unique choice for developers, remote workers, and teams seeking a secure, customizable tool that enhances productivity without external dependencies.
Pros
- Local, offline operation ensures complete data privacy and security
- Automatic daily summaries save time and improve work recall
- Integrates smoothly with project management tools like Jira
- Open-source and MIT-licensed, offering customization and transparency
- No account or cloud setup required, simplifying onboarding
Cons
- Limited to users comfortable with open-source and local software
- May require technical knowledge to customize or troubleshoot
- No commercial support or dedicated customer service
Best for
- • Daily work logging for remote software developers
- • Automated project updates for project managers
- • Personal productivity tracking and reflection
- • Secure, private work journaling for sensitive projects
Pricing: Free and open-source software, with no cost for download or use. Users may incur costs if they choose to customize or host locally, but there are no subscription fees or paid plans.