Your meeting has confidential strategy, client names, revenue numbers or personnel decisions. Cloud meeting recorders like Otter, Fireflies or Fathom upload the audio to their servers. Their AI processes your words on the computers of another company.
Your recordings never leave your iPhone. 5cut cuts, transcribes and makes notes on the device. There is no 5cut server. Test it yourself: download a transcription model one time, then turn on Airplane Mode. 5cut works the same.
Always follow the recording and data rules of your organization.
The compliance problem with cloud recorders
Each time you use a cloud transcription service, you start a data processing relationship. This means:
- A third party now keeps recordings of confidential discussions.
- Under GDPR, you need a Data Processing Agreement (DPA).
- SOC 2 auditors can ask about it.
- If attackers break into the service, they can get your meeting content.
- Client NDAs can prohibit the transfer of recordings to third parties.
On-device transcription can reduce third-party exposure. But you must still follow the recording and data rules of your organization.
Who needs private meeting recordings
Legal professionals
Client meetings, case strategy discussions and settlement negotiations. Cloud transcription by a third party can put attorney-client privilege at risk.
Healthcare
Clinical team meetings and patient case reviews are sensitive. Before you record, make sure that you have permission and that you follow the healthcare rules that apply.
Finance and banking
Investment discussions, client advisory meetings and compliance reviews. Material non-public information does not belong on the servers of a transcription startup.
HR and people operations
Performance reviews, disciplinary meetings and compensation discussions.
The 5cut workflow for meetings
- Open the recorder: tap Record when the meeting starts.
- Transcribe after the meeting: choose an engine that you downloaded to your iPhone.
- Identify the speakers: with Premium, 5cut finds up to 4 speakers.
- Cut the silence: remove the pauses between agenda items.
- Export: save the transcript as text or SRT to a place that you choose.
Compared to alternatives
Cloud meeting tools upload your audio. With 5cut, your recordings never leave your iPhone. After a one-time model download, the engines transcribe offline. 5cut also identifies speakers and cuts the silence.
Free to start
5cut is free to download. The free version includes the recorder, silence removal and 5 exports each month. Recordings that you make in 5cut get a full transcript. Imported files get a transcript of the first 5 minutes. Premium adds unlimited exports, full transcripts of imported files, speaker identification, AI notes and search in all transcripts.
Frequently asked questions
Does 5cut upload my meeting recordings?
No. Your recordings never leave your iPhone. 5cut cuts, transcribes and makes notes on the device. There is no 5cut server.
How can I check this?
Test it yourself: download a transcription model one time, then turn on Airplane Mode. 5cut works the same.
Does 5cut join my video calls?
No. 5cut has no meeting bot. Record the meeting with the recorder in 5cut, or import a recording from Zoom or Teams.
Do I need an account?
No. 5cut has no account system. You buy Premium in the App Store with your Apple ID.
