Save notes as local Markdown files
Start a Markdown document and save it directly to any folder you choose, so meeting notes fit into an existing folder structure instead of a separate app database.
Ulpaso
Ulpaso is a free, open-source Mac app for on-device meeting transcription, saving notes and transcripts as local Markdown files with no account or subscription.
Private, on-device meeting notes in Markdown
Ulpaso is a Mac app for recording meeting notes in Markdown while keeping the transcript workflow local to the device. It is described as free and open source, with no account or subscription required.
The app transcribes meeting audio on-device, organizes the result into a Markdown document, and saves every .md file on the user’s Mac. The site also says meeting audio, transcripts, settings, and the search index stay local, and that the files can open normally in other editors.
Core capabilities
On-device meeting transcription
Transcribe meeting audio directly on your Mac and turn the conversation into an organized note without sending audio to an external server.
Standard file format
Work from familiar .md files that open normally in other editors, which makes the notes easier to reuse outside Ulpaso.
Local data storage
Keep app settings and the search index stored locally on your Mac, along with the notes and transcripts themselves.
Open source and inspectable
Use the source code under the MIT License and inspect how the app handles data end to end.
Run from source
Clone the repository and run the app from source with the provided development commands on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 15+.
Practical ways to use Ulpaso
Local meeting notes
Capture a meeting on your Mac, then turn the conversation into a Markdown note you can keep in a folder that matches the rest of your work files.
Privacy-focused note taking
Keep transcripts and notes off external services when the meeting content should stay on the device for privacy or policy reasons.
Writing in a standard editor workflow
Exporting is not described as a separate feature, but the .md output can be opened in other editors, making it useful if you want notes you can reuse later.
Self-hosted development and testing
Use the open-source codebase and the published run-from-source commands if you want to inspect or modify the app before relying on it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Meeting audio and transcripts are processed on-device and are not sent to an external server.
- Notes are saved as regular Markdown files that can be opened in other editors.
- No account, subscription, or separate cloud storage is required.
- The code is open source under the MIT License, which makes the implementation inspectable.
- The site provides a path to run the app from source on your own Mac.
Cons
- The site only documents Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 15+, so support appears limited to that platform.
- The public pages do not describe collaboration features, shared workspaces, or team management.
- Feature detail is fairly sparse beyond the core local transcription and Markdown workflow.
FAQ
How do I install or run Ulpaso?
The source says Ulpaso is a free Mac app that can be downloaded and run locally on Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 15 or later. The site also provides a GitHub repository and a terminal-based setup path for running it from source.
What platforms does Ulpaso support?
Ulpaso is presented as a Mac app for meeting notes. The site specifically mentions Apple Silicon and macOS 15+, so it is aimed at compatible Macs rather than a cross-platform desktop release.
What does Ulpaso output?
The site shows Ulpaso converting spoken conversation into an organized Markdown note with headings and checklist items. It saves .md files locally, which means the output can be opened in other editors.
Does Ulpaso send meeting data to the cloud?
The source emphasizes that meeting audio and transcripts are processed on-device and are never sent to an external server. App settings and the search index also stay local.
Is Ulpaso designed for team collaboration?
The available pages describe a free, open-source product for an individual Mac. They do not describe shared workspaces, team accounts, or collaborative editing features.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Productivity
- Platform
- Mac (Apple Silicon, macOS 15+)
- Primary workflow
- On-device meeting transcription into local Markdown files
- License
- MIT License
- Source
- GitHub repository available
- Website
- ulpaso.app
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