On-device processing

On-device processing means the work happens on your own computer, not on the vendor's servers. For a transcription tool, the audio is turned into text by software running locally, so the recording does not need to be uploaded. MacWhisper is an example of a tool that describes this approach. The key point is that this is the vendor's stated design, so you should still confirm it for the exact feature you plan to use.

Recordings of client calls, interviews or internal meetings can contain confidential information. Keeping processing on your device reduces the number of companies that handle that data, and it can also make the tool work without an internet connection. It matters when you handle sensitive material or have contractual limits on where data may go. The trade-off is that your own computer does the work, so older machines can be slower.

• Ask the vendor to confirm in writing which features run locally and which, if any, use a cloud service.
• Test the tool with the network disconnected to see whether it still works.
• Check the privacy policy for what, if anything, is sent back, such as usage data or crash reports.
• Ask what computer specification is needed for acceptable speed.