General Questions
What is GroovyScribe?
GroovyScribe is a free, open-source meeting transcription app for macOS that runs entirely on your computer. No cloud, no subscriptions, just groovy meeting notes.
Is it really free?
Yes! GroovyScribe is 100% free to use forever. We accept voluntary donations via Bitcoin/Lightning if you'd like to support development.
What makes it different from Otter.ai or other services?
- Privacy: Everything stays on your Mac
- No meeting bots: No creepy bots joining your calls
- Free forever: No subscription or limits
- Open source: Verify what it does yourself
Technical Questions
What are the system requirements?
- macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
- 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended)
- ~2GB free space for AI models
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or Intel Mac
How accurate is the transcription?
Accuracy depends on:
- Audio quality
- Speaker clarity
- Background noise
- Model size (larger = more accurate)
Expect 90-95% accuracy with good audio and the "Base" model.
Can I use it offline?
Yes! Once you've downloaded the AI models, GroovyScribe works completely offline.
What languages are supported?
Currently English only. More languages coming in future updates.
Privacy & Security
Is my data really private?
Yes. GroovyScribe:
- Never uploads your audio or transcripts
- Doesn't require an account
- Has no telemetry or analytics
- Is open source so you can verify this
Do I need to tell people I'm recording?
Yes! Always inform meeting participants when recording. Laws vary by location.
Where are my recordings stored?
Wherever you choose! Default is your Documents folder, but you can save anywhere on your Mac.
Using GroovyScribe
Why does it need Screen Recording permission?
This is how macOS allows apps to capture system audio. We only capture audio, never your screen.
Can I record Zoom/Teams/Google Meet?
Yes! Just make sure "Capture system audio" is checked in settings.
How long can I record?
As long as you have disk space! We've tested 4+ hour recordings successfully.
Can I edit transcripts?
Not within GroovyScribe, but you can export to TXT and edit in any text editor.
Models & AI
Which model should I download?
- Tiny (39MB): Fastest, good for quick notes
- Base (74MB): Recommended - best balance
- Small (244MB): Most accurate, slower
Why is transcription slow?
AI processing takes time. A 1-hour meeting might take:
- Tiny model: ~6 minutes
- Base model: ~8 minutes
- Small model: ~15 minutes
Can I use cloud AI instead?
Not currently. We prioritize privacy, so everything runs locally.
Troubleshooting
The app won't open?
Right-click and select "Open" the first time (macOS security).
No audio in my recording?
Check System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Screen Recording & Microphone
Transcription failed?
Usually means you need to download a model first. Check Settings → Models.
Supporting GroovyScribe
How can I help?
Do donations unlock features?
No! All features are free for everyone. Donations just help us keep developing.
Can I contribute code?
Yes! We welcome pull requests. See our GitHub repo.