# A free Granola alternative for Mac: notes, no bot | Tora

> Tora is a free, bot-free meeting notes app for Mac that also dictates and fixes writing. Compare it with Granola, and see when Granola is the better pick.

URL: https://usetora.com/alternatives/granola/
Updated: 2026-10-20

[Compare Tora](https://usetora.com/alternatives/)

## A free Granola alternative for Mac

Granola is an AI notepad that captures audio from your computer, with no bot in the call. Tora works the same way on a Mac, and adds three more jobs for $0.

[Download for Mac](https://updates.usetora.com/Tora.dmg) [See pricing](https://usetora.com/pricing/)

Free. Apple silicon, macOS 26 or later.

## Tora vs Granola at a glance

| | Tora | Granola |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0 for all four agents. Tora Cloud is an optional paid plan. | $14 a month per user (Business). |
| Free plan | Free with no account, no trial, and no card. | Basic is $0 with a limited meeting history of 30 days. |
| Where it runs | Models run on your Mac. Tora Cloud, if you turn it on, uses Tora's servers and AI providers. | Not stated on its site |
| Platforms | Mac only: Apple silicon, macOS 26 or later. | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and an Apple Watch app. |
| Bot in calls | No bot. Tora records your Mac's audio and your mic. | No bot. It captures device audio. |
| Jobs it covers | All four: dictation, writing fixes, meeting notes, and replies during calls. | Meeting notes, a brief before external meetings, and follow-ups. |

## Where Tora is different

- **Notes stay on your Mac**: You can search every meeting you had. A result opens the meeting at that moment.
- **Dictation and writing in the same app**: Hold fn to dictate. Select text and press Control Option W to fix it.
- **Replies during calls**: Live suggestions shows a reply in your notch. The people in your call do not see it.

## When Granola is the better pick

- **You use Windows, iPhone, or Android**: Granola lists all three, and an Apple Watch app. Tora is Mac only.
- **You want a brief before each meeting**: Granola prepares a brief before external meetings.
- **You work in a team**: Granola lists Business and Enterprise plans per user.

## Questions about Tora and Granola

### Is Tora a free alternative to Granola?

Yes. Tora records your Mac's audio and your mic with no bot, and writes the summary, decisions, and next steps for free.

### Are Tora and Granola both bot-free?

Yes. Neither sends a bot into your call.

### Does Tora read my calendar?

Tora can read Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook, so meeting titles and people name your notes.

### Does Tora work on Windows?

No. Tora is Mac only, and needs Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later.

Facts about Granola were read on its own website. Prices vary by region, and plans change. Granola does more than this page lists. A fact is left out when its site does not state it.

Sources: [www.granola.ai/pricing](https://www.granola.ai/pricing) (read October 17, 2026); [www.granola.ai/](https://www.granola.ai/) (read October 17, 2026).

Granola is a trademark of its owner. Tora is not affiliated with it.

[All comparisons](https://usetora.com/alternatives/)

## Start with one key. Hold `fn` and talk.

[Download for Mac](https://updates.usetora.com/Tora.dmg) [See pricing](https://usetora.com/pricing/)

Free · macOS 26 or later · Apple silicon