Questions, answered.
Everything about Finalist AI, in one place.
Product
What is Finalist AI?
An interview copilot for your Mac. Before an interview it helps you prepare and practise. During it, it shows you a clear answer to each question in about a second, on your screen only. After it, you get a debrief.
How does it know a question was asked?
It transcribes the interviewer on your Mac and notices when they finish a question. It answers the interviewer only, not you. Press ⌥⌘R to answer what was just said at any time.
How fast are the answers?
The answer starts in about a second, bottom line first. Reasoning mode (⌥⌘T) takes a little longer for harder problems.
What does an answer look like?
Four parts: the Answer, a few lines in your own words, the steps with a why for each, and why this is right. See examples.
Does it work for coding interviews?
Yes: the approach, working code (Python by default, or your chosen language), time and space complexity, and edge cases. Press ⌥⌘S to answer a problem on your screen. Screen Help.
Can it use my CV?
Yes. Add an interview with your CV, the job description and notes, and pick it before you start. Every answer then draws on it. Interview Prep.
Does the prep brief research the company online?
No. It only uses what you add, never invents facts, and tells you what's worth checking.
What kinds of interviews can I practise?
Eight formats: general, behavioural, coding, system design, product case, data & ML, salary negotiation and recruiter screen. Mock Interview.
When is the debrief created, and how accurate is it?
Automatically when a live or practice session ends, in about 20 seconds. Scores are written by AI, so treat them as a coach's opinion, not a verdict. Debrief.
Privacy & stealth
Will the interviewer see it if I share my screen?
No. macOS keeps the Finalist AI panel out of screen sharing, recordings and screenshots of the shared screen — whole screen or one window. You can check this yourself with a test share. Stealth Mode.
Does a bot join my call? Does it show in my Dock?
No bot joins — it listens to your Mac's own audio. It lives in the menu bar, with no Dock icon while an interview runs.
What does the transparent panel do?
Press ⌥⌘O to see through the panel. You choose how see-through in Settings; answers stay readable.
How does it hear the interviewer?
With macOS's Screen & System Audio Recording permission, transcribed on your Mac by Apple's speech recognition. Audio is never uploaded. Turn on your mic with ⌥⌘M to transcribe your side too.
Is my data private?
Your CV, notes, transcripts, screenshots and debriefs are stored on your Mac. To write an answer, a prep brief or a debrief, only the text needed is sent to be processed — it isn't stored on our servers. You can switch sending off in Settings. Privacy policy.
Can I use it in a job interview?
Yes — that's what it's for. Use it lawfully: be 18 or over, tell people you're transcribing where that's required, and follow the rules set by the interviewer, employer, school or institution. Terms.
Pricing & minutes
How does the free trial work?
Sign in with your email to get 15 minutes free — no credit card, once per person and Mac. Every feature is included.
What counts as a minute?
Only the time a live or practice session is running, counted by the second. Setting up interviews, prep briefs, debriefs and reading transcripts are free.
Do cheaper packs have fewer features?
No. The free trial, every pack and Interview Plus all include every feature. You only choose how many minutes you get. Pricing.
Is it a subscription?
Only if you choose one. Packs are one-time payments and their minutes never expire. Interview Plus is $19.99 a month for 600 minutes, and you can cancel anytime.
What happens when my time runs out?
You get a heads-up at 5 minutes and 1 minute left. At zero the assistant pauses; your transcript stays. Add minutes and carry on. We never charge you automatically.
Do pack minutes expire if I subscribe or cancel Plus?
No. Pack minutes never expire. Plus minutes are used first, and your pack minutes stay — even after you cancel.
Can I use it on two Macs?
Yes. Sign in with the same email and your minutes are shared. One live session runs at a time.
Is VAT included?
Prices are in US dollars. Any VAT or sales tax is calculated by Lemon Squeezy at checkout and shown before you pay.
Can I get a refund?
Email billing@finalistai.com and we'll look at it fairly. Refunds go through Lemon Squeezy, our merchant of record. EU and UK consumers also have a 14-day right to cancel before using the minutes. Terms.
I have a beta code. What now?
Sign in to the app, then redeem it in Settings → Billing.
Mac & setup
What do I need?
A Mac with macOS 26 or later. Apple silicon (M1 or newer) is recommended. You sign in with your email — no password.
Is there a Windows version?
No. Finalist AI is a Mac app only.
Which call apps does it work with?
Any app that plays audio on your Mac: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet in your browser, Webex, Slack huddles and the rest.
Which languages does it understand?
English only, for now.
Do I need a microphone?
Only for practice interviews and to include your own side in a debrief. Live answers work without it.
How do I install it?
Download the zip, drag Finalist AI into Applications and open it. macOS asks once for Screen & System Audio Recording and Speech Recognition. Install steps.
Who's behind Finalist AI?
Finalist AI is made in London by Ioannis Papidakis. App questions: support@finalistai.com. Anything else: hello@finalistai.com.
Still have a question?
Email support@finalistai.com — we usually reply within one working day.