Alter
Alter is a Mac AI assistant that combines voice commands and screen context for instant actions across all apps, with support for multiple AI providers.
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What is Alter?
Alter is a native macOS AI assistant that lives in your Mac's notch and understands your current work context by seamlessly integrating with all your apps. It provides real macOS context awareness (screen + app context), native macOS actions like auto-insert and app control, voice-first workflows with dictation (speech-to-action), meeting intelligence with speaker ID (including offline options), and works offline with local models for privacy-ready usage. The assistant supports automation with 2,000+ apps through webhooks and Shortcuts, and provides access to 50+ AI models from leading providers.
Key features include Universal App Integration (speaks every app's language from Slack to Notion, Linear to Gmail), auto-insert AI anywhere that automatically inserts responses into any app without copy-pasting, chat with any website to turn webpages into AI conversations, native macOS integration to control apps like iMessage, Maps, and Calendar directly through AI, and AI that automatically chooses the best model for each task. The Meetings for Good feature records anywhere, provides instant smart summaries, and lets you chat with recordings to unlock insights. Alter also offers 80+ built-in actions plus custom action creation, AppSense technology for all macOS apps, Workspace context, and x-url-callback features to bridge Alter to any app.
Alter is designed for Mac power users who want to 10x their productivity with complete privacy control. It's loved by developers, professionals who record meetings frequently, and anyone seeking AI baked into the system with full context and vocal readiness. The assistant boosts productivity by offering contextual assistance within workflows—from writing support to automatically recording and summarizing meetings to interacting with files via drag-and-drop. It works 3x faster than ChatGPT and Claude with optimized routing delivering answers 2-3x faster.
Privacy by design ensures chats stay encrypted and local, with no training on user data and the option to run models offline. The voice-first workflows complete messages, drafts, and tasks approximately 3x faster across apps. Built natively in Swift, Alter works seamlessly with all apps to automate complex tasks and streamline workflows with intelligent assistance in every window.
Alter pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Alter offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all models—no credit card required. After the trial period, you can continue using Alter free with your own providers or local models (API keys from your own AI providers, Ollama, or LM Studio). The app remains fully functional after trial with all features intact, though you'll see occasional upgrade notifications. To remove notifications and enjoy seamless unlimited access to 50+ integrated AI models, upgrade to one of the paid plans. Paid plans provide seamless, unlimited access without needing to connect your own API keys.
Alter pros
- Understands your Mac screen and app context fully
- Native macOS actions including auto-insert and app control
- Voice-first workflows with speech-to-action dictation
- Meeting intelligence with speaker ID and offline option
- Works offline with local models for privacy
- Automation with 2,000+ apps via webhooks and Shortcuts
- Access to 50+ AI models from leading providers
- 3x faster than ChatGPT with optimized model routing
- Auto-insert AI anywhere without copy-pasting
- Chat with any website for real-time insights
- Controls native apps like iMessage, Maps, Calendar
- AI automatically selects best model for each task
- 80+ built-in actions plus custom action creation
- AppSense technology works with all macOS apps out of box
- Built natively in Swift for seamless macOS integration
- Privacy by design with encrypted local chats
- Drag-and-drop file context support
- Workspace context for precise conversations
- x-url-callback feature to bridge to any app
- 7-day free trial with full access, no credit card required
Alter cons
- Only available for macOS (no Windows version yet)
- Requires macOS Ventura 13 or newer
- Needs Accessibility, Microphone, and Screen Recording permissions
- Beta version has some fiddly interactions
- No cloud sync or cloud restore for chat history
- LM Studio only available for Apple Silicon devices
- Occasional upgrade notifications after trial ends
- Anonymous usage analytics collected by default (must disable manually)
Frequently asked questions about Alter
What makes Alter different from other AI tools like ChatGPT Desktop or Granola?
Alter is a native macOS AI assistant that understands your current work context and integrates directly with your apps. Unlike competitors, Alter offers full support for understanding your Mac (screen + app context), native macOS actions (auto-insert, control apps), voice-first workflows with dictation, meetings with speaker ID including offline options, works offline with local models, automation with 2,000+ apps, and access to 50+ AI models. ChatGPT Desktop and other tools only have partial or limited support for these features.
What are the system requirements for Alter?
Alter supports macOS Ventura 13 or newer and runs as a universal app on both Apple Silicon and Intel Mac processors. For the quickstart guide, macOS 15.0 or later is recommended. The app is built natively in Swift and works seamlessly across all compatible macOS versions.
What macOS apps are compatible with Alter's AppSense technology?
All macOS apps are compatible with Alter's AppSense technology right out of the box. This includes Slack, Notion, Linear, Gmail, iMessage, Maps, Calendar, Notes, Keynote, and every other app on your Mac. No additional setup or plugins are required for app compatibility.
How does Alter save me time and boost productivity?
Alter provides contextual help within your workflow including writing support, meeting recording and summaries, and drag-and-drop file context. It works 3x faster than ChatGPT with optimized routing delivering answers 2-3x faster. Voice-first workflows complete messages, drafts, and tasks approximately 3x faster across apps. The auto-insert feature eliminates copy-pasting, and universal app integration means you don't need to learn 50 different interfaces.
What AI models can I use with Alter?
Alter provides access to the latest models from leading providers, typically adding new models within hours of release. Options include vision-capable models like Gemini, Claude, GPT-4o, and Pixtral, plus text-only models like Llama, Qwen, and DeepSeek. You get access to 50+ integrated AI models. Alter also supports using your own API keys, Ollama, LM Studio, and router services with OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
Can I use Alter offline or with local models for privacy?
Yes, Alter seamlessly connects with Ollama and LM Studio for completely local AI processing, keeping your data on your device and allowing offline work. Simply install either tool, follow the setup guide at docs.alterhq.com, and select your preferred local models. Note that Ollama works on all Mac computers while LM Studio is currently available only for Apple Silicon devices.
Can I use my own API keys with Alter?
Yes, you can use your own API keys from your preferred AI providers. There's a complete step-by-step user guide at docs.alterhq.com/#using-your-api-key. After your 7-day trial ends, you can continue using Alter with all features intact by connecting your own AI providers or local models. You'll see occasional upgrade notifications, but the app remains fully functional.
Is Alter's data and privacy secure? Can they see my data?
Absolutely not. All prompts and data sent to models are fully encrypted in transit. Alter does not train on your data—you can run models offline if you want privacy. Alter only collects anonymous usage analytics (which features you use and how often), and you can disable this collection in settings. All chats, transcripts, and local history are stored on your Mac with no cloud sync or cloud restore. See the Privacy Policy for complete details.
How do I start using Alter and what's the setup process?
Start in seconds: 1) Download Alter from the website or Mac App Store, 2) Install by dragging to Applications folder, 3) Launch and grant necessary permissions (Accessibility, Microphone, Screen Recording), 4) Open Settings and set up your Profile (tell Alter about yourself, share what you're working on, set communication style), 5) Configure shortcuts in Settings > Preferences (Quick Menu default: Alt+Space), 6) Hover over the Mac notch or press your shortcut to open Alter, 7) Type a prompt or use voice by holding the microphone icon. Add context by dragging files or using @ to reference them.
Where can I find help and support for Alter?
You can get help through multiple channels: Join the Discord community at discord.gg/gvCMmfBRWZ, email support directly at [email protected], watch tutorials on YouTube at youtube.com/@useAlter, or check the comprehensive documentation at docs.alterhq.com. The documentation includes quickstart guides, troubleshooting for common issues like mic not transcribing, integration guides, and FAQ sections. The team is known for addressing issues quickly and shipping new features every Friday.