Overview
This FAQ answers common questions about Plaud Desktop before you start using it: what it is, how it differs from built-in meeting recording, what it can do, and how it handles privacy.
What is Plaud Desktop, and why do I need it if I already have Plaud devices?
Plaud Desktop is the computer companion app that brings the Plaud workflow to online conversations by capturing high-quality computer and meeting audio.
Plaud devices are built for in-person capture. Plaud Desktop is built for conversations that happen on your computer, such as online meetings, so your online and in-person recordings live in one Plaud workspace.
- Use Plaud Desktop for online meetings on your laptop or desktop, where you want clean computer audio.
- Use Plaud devices for in-person conversations and on-the-go recording.
How is Plaud Desktop different from recording inside Zoom, Teams, or Meet?
Plaud Desktop is built for capture, processing, and reuse inside the Plaud system, not just saving a recording file.
- Setup: Plaud Desktop detects supported meetings and starts capture without adding a meeting bot or reconfiguring each call, where supported.
- Outputs: Along with the audio recording, Plaud Desktop generates transcripts, summaries, Ask Plaud Q&A, and mind maps.
- Workflow: Plaud Desktop keeps your highlights and meeting context, such as notes and screenshots, together in one place for review, sharing, and export.
Use your meeting platform's recording if you only need its built-in recording file or your organization requires that workflow. Use Plaud Desktop if you want consistent transcripts, structured summaries, mind maps, Ask Plaud, and reusable exports across meetings.
Which meeting apps does Plaud Desktop work with?
Plaud Desktop detects meetings in these apps:
- Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams (in the browser)
- Zoom Desktop
- Microsoft Teams Desktop
- Slack (Huddles)
- Cisco Webex Desktop
- Lark Desktop
Support can vary by operating system and by whether you join through a desktop app or a browser. The detected-meeting screen in Plaud Desktop is the source of truth for what is currently supported on your device.
How many languages does Plaud Desktop support in transcription?
Plaud transcription supports 112 languages for single-language transcription per recording.
If a recording contains multiple languages, Plaud does not currently transcribe it as mixed-language content. For best results, choose one primary language:
- Select the dominant spoken language in the Transcription Language setting.
- If a meeting switches languages often, split the capture into separate recordings by language segment.
Can I export and share what Plaud Desktop produces?
Yes. You can export and share outputs from Plaud Desktop recordings through Plaud Web or the Plaud App. You can export the audio recording, transcript, summaries, highlights, and mind map.
Is Plaud Desktop designed for privacy and security-sensitive use?
Plaud Desktop supports privacy and security-sensitive workflows, and Plaud meets global security and compliance standards including GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and EN 18031. You must still follow local consent laws and workplace recording policies.
- Frameworks and attestations: Availability of formal attestations, such as a SOC 2 Type 2 report or ISO certificate, depends on Plaud's official documentation and customer eligibility.
- Data handling depends on usage: If Private Cloud Sync is on, recordings and transcripts are processed and stored in your Plaud workspace. For sensitive deployments, confirm retention, access controls, and sharing settings.
Still have questions?
Submit a request and our support team will get back to you within 24 hours on business days.