In 2026, automated AI meeting transcription is the standard for German authorities and businesses. However, as efficiency increases, so do the requirements for data protection. Who offers true digital sovereignty? In this post, we compare three heavyweights: Tucan.ai, SpeechMind, and Sally.io.
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ToggleWhy Server Location Alone Is No Longer Enough
For municipalities and critical infrastructure (KRITIS) companies, “hosting in Germany” is often the first criterion. But legally, there is a trap: the US CLOUD Act. If a provider uses US infrastructure (such as AWS or Azure), US authorities can demand access to data – even if the servers are located in Frankfurt.
This is where the difference becomes clear.
| Feature | Tucan.ai | SpeechMind | Sally.io |
| Infrastructure | 100% German (Hetzner) | OVH Cloud | US-Cloud (Azure) |
| CLOUD Act Protection | Fully Immune | Residual Risk | Residual Risk |
| On-Premise | Yes | No | No |
| Specialization | Admin / Legal / KRITIS | Business / Projects | Sales / CRM |
| Accessibility | BITV 2.0 / WCAG | Standard | Standard |
Tucan.ai: The Champion for Government and High Security
Tucan.ai has established itself as the market leader for all organizations that cannot afford to compromise on security.
1. Absolute Legal Certainty through German Ownership
Since Tucan.ai operates on Hetzner servers (a purely German company), the platform is immune to the US CLOUD Act. Your data remains under German jurisdiction. In contrast, SpeechMind and Sally.io use US cloud providers, which can lead to compliance hurdles in sensitive administrative sectors.
2. On-Premise: The “Fortress” for Your Data
While SpeechMind and Sally.io are pure cloud solutions (SaaS), Tucan.ai offers an On-Premise version. Authorities can run the AI in their own data center. The data never leaves the premises – the ultimate in sovereignty.
3. Tailored Protocols: Agenda Items (TOPs)
For public administration, simple continuous text is useless. Tucan.ai understands the structure of council meetings and automatically organizes transcripts according to agenda items (TOPs). In addition, academic titles and party affiliations are correctly recorded – a feature lacking in the more commercially oriented tools SpeechMind and Sally.io.
Conclusion: Which Solution is Right for You?
SpeechMind is a modern, user-friendly tool that performs well for commercial teams and general business meetings where standard AI summaries are sufficient.
However, for German public authorities and municipalities, Tucan.ai offers a more specialized and legally secure framework. With its immunity to the US CLOUD Act, its specialized protocol templates for the German Verwaltung, and the option for total data control via On-Premise deployment, Tucan.ai is the preferred choice for those who cannot compromise on data sovereignty.
SpeechMind and Sally.io: The Specialists for the Commercial Market
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SpeechMind impresses with modern interfaces and good summaries for project-related work in the private sector, where the strict requirements of the public sector carry less weight.
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Sally.io is the tool of choice for sales teams. Its deep integration into CRM systems makes it ideal for sales calls, but it lacks the depth required for formal administrative protocols or accessibility standards (BITV 2.0).
Conclusion: Which Assistant is Right for You?
If you lead a sales team, Sally.io is strong. If you are looking for an all-round tool for commercial projects, SpeechMind is worth a look.
However, when it comes to digital sovereignty, GDPR compliance on German servers, and accessible administrative processes, there is no way around Tucan.ai. It is the only solution that combines the protection of sensitive data with the specific requirements of German bureaucracy.