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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Neato Echo.
Is Neato Echo free?
Yes. Neato Echo is free to use. Everything runs locally on your PC, and there are no plans, limits, or accounts. It is a fork of the open-source OpenWhispr project, released under the MIT license.
Which processing method should I use?
Use the default local setup for privacy and offline use. If you have your own API key from a provider such as OpenAI, Groq, Gemini, Mistral, or Anthropic, you can optionally add it under Cloud Providers in Settings. See cloud vs local for the comparison.
Can I use Neato Echo commercially?
Yes. The MIT license allows commercial use, modification, and distribution.
What languages are supported?
The default Parakeet model is multilingual, and Whisper models support 100+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese. Which languages are available depends on the model you use; see local models. Set your preferred language in settings or use auto-detect.
Where are my notes stored?
Notes are stored in a local database in %APPDATA%\neato-echo. Nothing syncs anywhere. You can export a note as Markdown, or turn on Save notes as files to mirror every note to a folder on disk. See export your notes.
Is my data secure?
With the default local setup, audio never leaves your PC. If you add a cloud provider key, audio and text are sent to that provider under its terms. Connected calendars read events from Google or Microsoft, and the auto-updater contacts github.com. Neato Echo doesn't collect analytics or telemetry.
How long are my recordings and transcripts kept?
You control it. Under Settings, data retention can automatically delete saved audio and transcripts after a period you choose (1, 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days). By default, audio recordings are removed after 30 days and transcripts are kept until you delete them. You can also turn off saving audio and transcripts entirely. Every setting, and how to use retained audio to recover a failed dictation, is in I lost a dictation.
How does meeting transcription work?
Neato Echo detects meetings automatically (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, and other browser-based calls) and offers to take notes. Audio is transcribed in real time with speaker labels, and a connected Google or Microsoft calendar can fill in meeting titles and attendees. When the recording ends, you can generate a summary from a preset such as Team Meeting or Interview. See meeting transcription for details.
Still need help?
Write to [email protected] with your Windows version, your Neato Echo version (Settings → System), and what you were doing. A person reads every message.