Tingdong vs NotchLive
Updated 2026-08-23
Short answer: NotchLive is the strongest free option for same-language captions on a Mac — on-device Whisper recognition, 90+ spoken languages, captions free forever — and it adds translation into 20 languages in its Pro tier. Tingdong starts from the other end: it is a translator first, with 60 auto-detected languages, a spoken translation, and a two-way call mode, for $4.99/month. If you mostly need to read what is said in its own language, start with NotchLive. If you need the other language and the other direction, that is Tingdong’s job.
| NotchLive | Tingdong | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS; Pro translation needs macOS 15 or later | macOS 15 or later |
| Price | Captions free forever; translation, history and export in Pro (see their pricing page) | 100 free credits; $4.99/month or $49.99/year |
| Recognition | On-device Whisper | Real-time cloud recognition; audio never stored |
| Captioned languages | 90+, auto-detected | 60, auto-detected |
| Translated into | 20 languages (Pro) | Your language, from any of the 60 |
| Spoken translation | Not offered | Built in |
| Your voice translated into the call | Not offered | Tingdong Microphone — two-way |
| Real phone calls / FaceTime | Not described; focuses on Zoom, Meet, Teams, browser, mic | Dedicated call audio tap + iPhone → Mac Bluetooth handoff |
| Works offline | Captions yes (on-device) | No |
| Meeting bot | None | None |
Which should you pick?
Pick NotchLive if captions in the speaker’s own language solve your problem — accessibility, noisy rooms, keeping a private transcript — or if on-device processing is a requirement; its free tier is genuinely useful. Pick Tingdong when the language barrier is the problem: you need to understand a Hindi podcast in English, follow a Japanese meeting in Chinese, or call a Spanish-speaking office and be understood. Translation is the whole product rather than a Pro add-on, and it comes with a voice and a call mode NotchLive does not attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Is NotchLive really free?
Live captions are free forever per their site. Real-time translation, session history, Voice Notes and export are Pro features; the Pro price is on their pricing page.
Which recognizes more languages?
NotchLive lists 90+ captionable languages via on-device Whisper; Tingdong recognizes 60. NotchLive translates into 20 languages; Tingdong translates any of its 60 into your language.
Does either one speak?
Only Tingdong. The translation can be read aloud in your language, and in “Call Translation” your own words reach the other side as a translated voice.
Can NotchLive caption a FaceTime or phone call?
Its site describes Zoom, Meet, Teams, browser tabs, videos and microphone speech; it does not describe FaceTime or phone-call audio. Tingdong has a dedicated call audio path for exactly that case.
Try it on your next video, meeting or call
Download free for macOS100 trial credits on install · No signup, no credit card