A free, open-source Granola alternative for Mac.
Muesli transcribes meetings on your Mac and saves the transcript locally. Use it for microphone and system-audio capture, speaker labels, and PDF or Markdown exports. The app is free and MIT-licensed. AI summaries are optional.
Updated
Written by the Muesli team. Muesli details refer to version 0.8.3; competitor documentation and USD prices were checked on September 9, 2026.
How do Muesli and Granola compare?
Both apps capture meeting audio without joining the call as a bot. The useful distinction is where transcription runs, how you use the saved record, and which collaboration features you need.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Feature | Muesli for Mac | Granola |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting capture | Microphone and system audio from your Mac; no meeting bot. | Device audio capture; no meeting bot. |
| Processing and storage | On-device transcription and local history. Cloud summaries and iCloud text sync are optional. | Hosted transcription and AI notes. Stores transcripts and notes; does not retain meeting audio recordings. |
| Transcript access | Review the raw transcript and export it as Markdown or PDF. | View the transcript and copy all of it from the transcript panel. |
| Notes and sharing | Export notes, transcript, or the full meeting as a file. | Shared notes and folders, with integrations on paid plans. |
| Cost | Free app with no Muesli transcription subscription. Optional external AI providers may charge. | Basic: $0 with limited history. Business: $14 per user/month with unlimited notes and history. |
When does Muesli fit your workflow?
Choose Muesli if you want to transcribe meetings on Apple Silicon, keep a local record, and work with ordinary files. You can inspect the source, use dictation in the same app, and choose a summary provider separately.
Granola is worth keeping if your team relies on shared folders, hosted meeting search, or its integrations. Those collaboration features may matter more to your workflow than where transcription runs.
Try Muesli on your next meeting
Install the app
Download Muesli, move it to Applications, and complete onboarding. Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 14.2 or later. Some models require a newer macOS version.
Download a speech model
Choose Parakeet v3 during setup or from Models. Finish the download before going offline.
Check both sides of the call
Allow microphone and system-audio access. Start Meeting Recording from the menu bar and make a short test with another participant. Confirm that both voices appear in the transcript.
Review and export
Stop the recording and open the meeting. Review the Transcript tab, then choose Export Transcript or Export Full Meeting. Select Markdown or PDF in the save dialog.
Can I keep the summary local too?
Yes, if you configure Ollama with a model running on your Mac. You can also keep the transcript without generating a summary. OpenAI, OpenRouter, and ChatGPT summaries send transcript text to the selected service and require a connection.
Local transcription and bot-free capture are separate properties. Granola also captures without a bot. Tell the people in the meeting that you are recording or transcribing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Muesli a free Granola alternative?
Yes. The Mac app is free and open source under the MIT license. Local transcription has no Muesli subscription fee. Optional external AI services have their own pricing.
Does Granola let me access the raw transcript?
Yes. Granola documents a transcript panel with a copy-all option. Muesli also exposes the transcript and offers Markdown and PDF file exports.
Can I import my Granola history?
This guide does not describe a direct Granola migration. Keep copies of existing notes and transcripts, and try Muesli with new meetings before changing your workflow.
Does Muesli work on an Intel Mac?
The Mac app requires Apple Silicon and macOS 14.2 or later. Check the selected model for any additional requirements.