Anarlog is a free, open-source meeting assistant that records conversations, transcribes them, and generates summaries entirely on your device without requiring internet access or cloud storage. The tool works by recording meeting audio directly, then using local AI inference engines to process the transcription and create meeting notes, giving users complete control over their data and choice of which AI model to use for summarization.

How Does Anarlog Keep Meeting Data Private?

Anarlog achieves privacy through a combination of local processing and transparent design. The software records meeting audio without requiring a bot to join the call, then stores all transcripts as Markdown files directly on the user's device rather than uploading them to cloud servers. This approach means sensitive business discussions, client conversations, or confidential information never leaves your computer.

The tool supports multiple AI models for transcription and summarization, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, OpenRouter, Ollama, and LM Studio. When paired with local inference engines such as Ollama or LM Studio, both the transcription and summarization steps happen entirely offline, without any cloud-based computation.

What Makes Anarlog Different From Cloud-Based Meeting Tools?

Traditional meeting assistants typically upload audio and transcripts to cloud servers, where they're processed and stored. Anarlog inverts this model by keeping everything local. Users can view, edit, search, and organize their meeting records using any standard text editor, since the notes are stored as plain Markdown files. This format also makes it easy to synchronize meeting history across devices using tools like iCloud, Dropbox, Syncthing, or Git, while maintaining full ownership of the data.

The software also prioritizes transparency and user control. Anarlog doesn't require users to create an account, doesn't track usage, and is distributed under the MIT license, which allows developers to view, modify, and distribute the source code. This open approach makes it particularly attractive for organizations that need greater visibility into how their tools work and where their data goes.

Steps to Set Up Anarlog for Local Meeting Transcription

• Choose Your AI Model: Select from supported local inference engines like LM Studio or Ollama, or opt for cloud-based models if you prefer; the choice determines whether transcription and summarization happen entirely offline or use cloud processing.
• Configure Recording Settings: Set up Anarlog to record meeting audio directly without requiring a bot participant, then specify your preferred output format and storage location on your device.
• Organize and Sync Your Notes: Store Markdown files locally and optionally synchronize them across devices using iCloud, Dropbox, Syncthing, or Git to maintain access while keeping ownership of your meeting history.

The project remains actively maintained despite the main development team now focusing on other initiatives. Recent updates confirm that Anarlog continues to receive support and improvements, ensuring the tool remains functional and reliable for users who prioritize privacy and local data storage.

For organizations evaluating meeting assistants, Anarlog represents a shift toward tools that treat meeting data as sensitive information requiring local control rather than cloud convenience. The combination of open-source transparency, local processing capability, and flexible AI model support makes it a notable option in the growing ecosystem of privacy-focused AI tools designed to run on personal devices.