Quick answer: No, Fireflies.ai cannot transcribe offline—it sends a bot into calls and uploads audio to its servers for cloud AI processing, so no internet means no transcription. Lyonesse is an offline alternative: recording, transcription, summaries, and Q&A run 100% on-device via Apple Intelligence, with no bot, no account, and no cloud upload.
Can You Use Fireflies.ai Without Internet?
No, Fireflies.ai does not work offline. Fireflies is a cloud-based meeting assistant that works by sending its bot (Fred) into your calls. Every recording is uploaded to Fireflies' servers for transcription and AI processing. This means:
- No WiFi = no transcription. In a room with poor connectivity, on a plane, or anywhere offline, Fireflies simply won't work.
- A bot joins your meeting. Fireflies' core workflow relies on a visible bot joining the call — not ideal for sensitive or external conversations.
- Your audio goes to the cloud. Even in-person recordings from the mobile app are uploaded to Fireflies' servers, which has privacy implications.
This is by design — Fireflies' AI runs on their servers, not on your device. There's no offline mode, no local processing option, and no way to transcribe without internet.
Fireflies.ai Free Plan Limits in 2026
Beyond the offline limitation, Fireflies.ai's free plan comes with significant restrictions:
| Limit | Fireflies Free | Lyonesse Free |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 800 min/seat | Unlimited (on your device) |
| AI summaries & Q&A | 20 one-time credits | Unlimited |
| Offline support | No | Yes — 100% offline |
| Meeting bot required | Yes (Fred joins the call) | No bot — records on-device |
| Cloud upload required | Yes | No — on-device only |
| Account required | Yes | No |
The Best Offline Alternative: Lyonesse
If you need transcription that works without internet — and without a bot announcing itself in your meeting — Lyonesse is the solution. It uses Apple Intelligence to run AI models directly on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. No servers, no bot, no upload.
Why Lyonesse Works Offline (and Fireflies Doesn't)
The difference comes down to architecture:
- Fireflies.ai sends a bot into your call, streams the audio to remote servers, processes it with cloud AI, and sends results back. This requires internet at every step.
- Lyonesse runs AI models locally on your Apple device using Apple Intelligence. The entire pipeline — recording, transcription, summaries, and Q&A — happens on-device.
This means Lyonesse works identically whether you're online or offline. Same accuracy, same speed, same features. No degradation, and nothing leaves your device.
Lyonesse vs Fireflies.ai: Pricing Comparison (2026)
| Fireflies Free | 800 min storage/seat, 20 AI credits, requires internet + bot |
| Fireflies Pro | $10/user/month (annual) or $18/month |
| Fireflies Business | $19/user/month (annual) |
| Lyonesse Free | Unlimited on-device recording, no bot, no account |
| Lyonesse Monthly | $7.99/month |
| Lyonesse Annual | $29.99/year |
| Lyonesse Lifetime | $59.99 one-time (pays for itself in ~6 months vs Fireflies Pro) |
Who Should Use Lyonesse Instead of Fireflies.ai?
- Consultants and salespeople who can't put a recording bot in client calls
- Professionals who transcribe confidential meetings and can't risk cloud uploads
- Anyone recording in-person meetings where there's no call for a bot to join
- Journalists who need source protection and field transcription
- Healthcare workers who need HIPAA-friendly transcription
- Frequent travelers who need transcription on planes or abroad
Try Lyonesse Free
100% offline transcription with unlimited recording. No meeting bot, no account, no cloud upload. Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Download Lyonesse FreeDoes the Fireflies mobile app work offline?
No, the Fireflies mobile app still requires internet, because even in-person recordings are uploaded to Fireflies' servers for cloud transcription. Lyonesse is the offline fix: on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, recording, transcription, summaries, and Q&A run 100% on-device via Apple Intelligence, so it works with no signal at all.
Which offline transcription app do you recommend the most?
For offline transcription on Apple devices, Lyonesse is the strongest pick because recording, transcription, summaries, diarization, and Q&A run 100% on-device — there is no cloud AI provider and no bot. It's free to download with a free tier, needs no account, and works identically whether you're online or offline.
How do I transcribe a confidential meeting without a bot?
Use an on-device app like Lyonesse, which records and transcribes locally on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with no bot joining the call and no cloud upload. Because the AI pipeline runs entirely on-device via Apple Intelligence, confidential audio, transcripts, and summaries never leave your device for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fireflies.ai work offline?
No. Fireflies.ai requires an active internet connection for all transcription. Its meeting bot streams audio to Fireflies' cloud servers for processing. Without WiFi or cellular data, you cannot transcribe.
Can I use Fireflies without a bot joining the call?
Not for live meetings. Fireflies' workflow depends on its Fred bot joining the call to record it. For bot-free transcription, you need an on-device app like Lyonesse.
What are Fireflies.ai's free plan limits?
As of 2026, the free plan includes 800 minutes of storage per seat and a one-time pool of 20 AI credits, with no video recording and limited AI summaries. Internet is required at all times.
Is there an offline transcription app?
Yes. Lyonesse transcribes audio 100% offline using on-device AI on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. No internet connection is needed, no bot joins your meeting, and your audio never leaves your device.
How does Lyonesse compare to Fireflies.ai overall?
Both deliver AI summaries and meeting Q&A, but Lyonesse runs entirely on-device while Fireflies is cloud-only.