FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short, factual answers about how Vocateca works — privacy, pricing, supported sources, and account handling. For the full breakdown of what leaves your Mac, see the privacy page.
Does Vocateca upload my audio or transcripts to the cloud?
No. Transcription and speaker diarization run entirely on your Mac using on-device models (Parakeet-TDT, with WhisperKit as a fallback) — your audio and transcripts are never uploaded to a Vocateca server, in Free or Pro.
What's the difference between Free and Pro?
Free includes unlimited on-device transcription for every supported source, every export format, speaker detection with the proper-noun glossary, and CLI/MCP access — no account and no time limit. Pro adds automation on top: a scheduler that auto-downloads new episodes, a background transcription daemon, folder watch, and a daily summary, so new content gets transcribed without you opening the app.
Which sources can I transcribe?
Podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any RSS feed), YouTube videos and channels, Instagram Reels and videos (marked experimental), and local audio or video files you drop in. You can also bulk-import an existing podcast subscription list via OPML instead of adding shows one by one.
Is Instagram transcription fully supported?
It's marked Experimental. Instagram doesn't offer a public feed the way podcasts (RSS) or YouTube do, so this path relies on less stable access and can break without notice. When it works, it runs entirely on-device like every other source.
What languages does Vocateca support?
The Vocateca interface is available in English and German. Transcription itself uses Parakeet-TDT, a multilingual on-device speech model, with WhisperKit available as a fallback engine.
What Mac do I need to run Vocateca?
macOS 15 or later, on Apple Silicon. Vocateca doesn't depend on macOS 26's SpeechAnalyzer, so it behaves the same across every supported macOS version.
How much does Vocateca cost?
Free is free forever, with no cap on manual transcription. Pro is €4.90 per month or €49 per year. Neither tier requires an account to use.
Do I need to create an account?
No — Free needs no sign-in and no account at all. An account is only created if you choose to sign in or purchase Pro, purely to manage your entitlement.
How do I cancel Pro?
Use the cancellation form at vocateca.com/kuendigen — no login required. It confirms receipt immediately with the date and time and emails you a copy. A cancellation by email to app@vocateca.com is also valid.
Can I export or delete my data?
Yes. Settings → Your data lets you export your settings and subscriptions, or delete everything Vocateca has stored in one step. Factory Reset goes further and wipes all on-disk data plus the Keychain entries Vocateca created (Instagram session, integration secrets, webhook secrets).
Does Vocateca use analytics or tracking?
No. There is no telemetry, analytics, or crash-reporting SDK anywhere in the app — verifiable directly against the source, since the transcription engine, CLI, and MCP server are open source.
Is Vocateca open source?
The transcription engine, CLI, and MCP server are open source. The macOS app itself is not open source.