NotchLive is a real-time subtitle and speech-to-text tool for Mac, focused on "one app, five ways to use voice," for following live speech, understanding another language, or saving spoken content for later use.
Uses and main capabilities Real-time subtitles (free): convert system audio and microphone speech into readable text, with adjustable subtitle size, speaker labels, and a choice to display in the desktop workspace, notch, Focus, or Timeline. Subtitles can be used for calls, videos, lectures, podcasts, and similar scenarios. Real-time translation (Pro): read speech supported in another language, and translate real-time subtitles, saved transcripts, and dictated content; keep the original text beside the translation, and run offline on macOS 15+ using downloaded language packs. Recording transcription (Pro): import audio or video files, or record live sessions, to generate savable transcript text; supports searching transcript content, playing back saved audio, adding translations, and exporting as TXT, Markdown, or JSON. Dictation (Pro): use keyboard shortcuts for voice input in supported non-secure Mac text fields, add names to a personal dictionary, translate dictated content, and restore previous text from local history. Requires microphone and Accessibility permissions. Voice notes (Pro): record ideas and continue the same note later, with both text and audio saved locally; you can continue recording, play back clips, and export text or merge audio.
How to use Install NotchLive: download the app and move it to the Applications folder; it works on Macs with or without a notch. Prepare your Mac: grant audio permissions and download speech models according to the setup process; if you need translation, prepare language packs. Choose a task: select subtitles, translation, dictation, or notes, or import a recording into the workspace. After purchasing Pro, paste the license key into "Settings → License → Activate."
Audio capture notes You can choose app audio, microphone, or both at the same time. Audio available to macOS is captured through ScreenCaptureKit, with no meeting bot, host controls, or browser extension required. The officially listed app examples (Microsoft Teams, browsers and videos, QuickTime Player, etc.) are examples only and are not native integrations or a whitelist; protected media, unusual audio routing, missing permissions, or audio that macOS cannot obtain may all prevent capture. Listing an app does not guarantee that every stream, every device, or every configuration will work. Speech tracks in media appsSuitable for adding subtitles; pure music is not suitable.
Privacy and how it runs Subtitles, transcribed text, and recordings are all processed locally on the Mac, and no meeting bot joins the call. Speech recognition and speaker attribution run on the device; downloads, updates, license checks, and payments use network services. Optional anonymous app diagnostics and website analytics are independent of speech processing, and diagnostics do not include audio, subtitles, transcription, translation, or notes.
Language support and system requirements Whisper AI can transcribe more than 90 languages and automatically detect them; for non-English audio, using the Medium or larger model is recommended for better results. Translation supports 20 languages via Apple Translation and requires macOS 15+. Overall, macOS 14+ is required; translation requires macOS 15+; speaker labels require an Apple chip. Apple chips are recommended for the best local AI performance, and Intel Macs are also supported. The subtitle bar appears at the top center of any Mac screen.
Use cases Hearing assistance, focus and attention, non-native speakers, noisy environments, meetings and remote work, video lectures and podcasts, etc.
Pricing Live subtitles are free; Pro is a one-time purchase with no subscription and costs $24.99. Pro adds live translation, recording transcription, dictation, voice notes, session saving, transcript export, participant review, and meeting tools; Meeting Intelligence requires a Mac that supports and has Apple Intelligence enabled.
Limitations Translation requires macOS 15+; speaker labels require an Apple chip; dictation requires microphone and accessibility permissions, and only supports standard, non-secure Mac text fields; some protected media or unusual audio configurations cannot be captured.
