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Oats (by Ariso)
Free, open-source meeting notes for Mac.
Free foreverOn-device recordingOpen sourceNo bot joins callmacOS & Windows beta
Opportunity score
58/100
A credible privacy-first free tool, but direct monetization and distribution in a crowded market remain uncertain.
Founder verdict
MAYBE
A strong free privacy wedge, but not a standalone business until paired with a paid niche or Ariso's Work OS.
What is Oats (by Ariso)?
Oats is a free, open-source meeting notes app for Mac (with Windows beta) created by Ariso. It records audio locally on the user's machine, runs AI locally or via an optional Ariso cloud account, and produces summaries, action items, and a searchable library. Its main differentiation is privacy: no bot joins calls, audio never leaves the device by default, and notes can be stored as plain Markdown in an Obsidian vault. The product appears to be a top-of-funnel free tool for Ariso's broader Work OS and AI assistant ecosystem. Direct revenue from Oats is not disclosed and likely comes from optional Ariso cloud AI features rather than the local app itself.
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