Alter
Voice-driven Mac AI assistant that reads on-screen context
What is Alter?
Alter is a macOS assistant that combines what is on your screen and in the active app with typed or spoken requests, then inserts the result where you are working. It also handles dictation, meeting recordings with summaries, and automations across Apple apps and connected services. The app is free with your own API keys or local models, and paid plans add faster local voice models or managed access to more than 50 cloud models.
Alter has a free plan. Paid plans start at $29 per year (Local+), or $3.50 billed monthly. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who want an assistant that sees the app they are working in
- People who prefer speaking requests and dictating text
- Recording meetings on the device without a bot in the call
Worth knowing
- It runs on macOS 14 or later only. iOS, Android and Windows are mentioned only as possible future platforms.
- The 2,000+ remote tools, model routers and managed access to cloud models are limited to Pro and Lifetime; the free plan needs your own API keys or local models.
- Unlimited use is subject to fair use: past a monthly budget, requests are routed to lower-cost models.
- All plans are single-user licenses with one device in active use at a time, and the terms grant the license for personal, non-commercial purposes.
Key features
- Screen and app context
- Alter reads what is on screen and in the active app, so a request can refer to the current window, file, email or web page, and the answer can be inserted straight into that app.
- Voice commands and dictation
- Speech-to-prompt and dictation work in more than 50 languages with automatic detection. Local+ and Pro use faster models that transcribe in real time.
- Meeting recordings
- Records online and in-person meetings without a bot joining the call, then produces summaries and reports you can chat with. Speaker identification needs Local+ or Pro.
- Actions and automation
- More than 80 built-in actions and your own custom ones run on the current context. Pro connects 2,000+ remote tools such as Gmail, Notion and Linear alongside Apple Calendar and Mail.
- Your keys, local models or managed access
- Use your own API keys, run models locally with Ollama or LM Studio, or let Pro route requests across 50+ cloud models, which are also exposed through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
- Workspaces and files
- Workspaces group and index files and folders for reference, and chats accept PDF, XLSX, DOCX and other files. YouTube transcripts are summarized without a browser extension.
Alter pricing
- Starts at
- $29 per year (Local+), or $3.50 billed monthly
- Free plan
- All core features with your own API keys or local models, no credit card required. Remote tools, model routers and managed access to 50+ cloud models need Pro.
- Free trial
- 7 days of unlimited access to 50+ AI models after download, no credit card required.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Every core feature with your own API keys or local models. Dictation and meeting recording run on the slower standard Whisper model. |
| Local+ | $29per year, or $3.50 billed monthly | Adds real-time local speech-to-text models (Whisper Pro and Parakeet V3) for dictation and meeting recordings, with speaker identification. Up to 3 devices. |
| Pro | $240per year, or $29 billed monthly | Unlimited requests to 50+ cloud models under fair use, model routers, the API gateway, unlimited meeting recordings and 2,000+ remote tools. |
| Lifetime | $720one-time payment | The same access as the subscription plan with no recurring billing, plus future platform upgrades. Single user, one device in use at a time. |
Read from alterhq.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Alter before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Annual discountSave 30% with yearly billing
Alter's pricing page lists a 30% saving on yearly billing: Pro is $240 a year against $29 a month, and Local+ is $29 a year against $3.50 a month.
Stated on alterhq.com - Lifetime licenseLifetime license for $720
A one-time payment gives permanent access at the same level as the subscription plan, including future platform upgrades, for a single user.
Stated on alterhq.com - EducationStudent and academic discount
Students and academics can request special pricing by emailing Alter from a university address. The amount is not published.
Stated on alterhq.com - NonprofitNon-profit discount on request
Non-profit organizations can request special pricing by emailing Alter with documentation. The amount is not published.
Stated on alterhq.com
Works with
Alter alternatives
- Alter vs BoltAI
Free trial · from $79 one-time
- Alter vs Elephas
Free plan · from $15.83/mo
- Alter vs Fello AI
Free plan · from $11.99/mo
- Alter vs ChatGPT
Free plan · from $8/mo
Common questions
Is Alter free?
Alter has a free plan. All core features with your own API keys or local models, no credit card required. Remote tools, model routers and managed access to 50+ cloud models need Pro. Paid plans start at $29 per year (Local+), or $3.50 billed monthly.
How much does Alter cost?
Alter lists 4 plans. Free: $0. Local+: $29 per year, or $3.50 billed monthly. Pro: $240 per year, or $29 billed monthly. Lifetime: $720 one-time payment. Prices were read from alterhq.com on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does Alter work on?
Alter is available on macOS.
Does Alter offer any discounts?
Alter publicly lists the following: Save 30% with yearly billing; Lifetime license for $720; Student and academic discount; Non-profit discount on request.
Does Alter have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Alter is listed for macOS.
Does Alter have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Alter is listed for macOS.
Is Alter open source?
Alter is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Alter work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Alter integrate with?
Alter's listing names Gmail, Slack, Notion, Linear, HubSpot, Apple Calendar, Apple Mail and Ollama. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Alter have a student discount?
Student and academic discount. Students and academics can request special pricing by emailing Alter from a university address. The amount is not published.
Does Alter have a free trial?
Yes. 7 days of unlimited access to 50+ AI models after download, no credit card required.
Who makes Alter?
Alter is made by Alter.
What are the alternatives to Alter?
The closest alternatives to Alter in our directory are BoltAI, Elephas, Fello AI and ChatGPT. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Alter.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.