If you want speech-to-text that can run without an internet connection, these are five apps worth looking at. Every app on this list can transcribe on your own device, so your voice doesn't have to touch a remote server. Some of them also offer optional cloud modes, which we point out below. We compared them on pricing, platforms, privacy, and everyday usability. Details were checked in September 2026; pricing changes often, so confirm on each vendor's site before you buy.
1. Chirp — Best for Simple, Private Dictation on Mac and Windows
Price: 28 free transcriptions, then $9.99/year for unlimited use on up to 5 devices
Platforms: macOS 13+ (universal: Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows 10/11 (x64)
Engine: whisper.cpp with the English-only ggml-tiny.en model (~30 MB), always on-device
Chirp is a small desktop app built with Tauri 2 that does one thing: turn your voice into text wherever you are typing. Press a global hotkey (Fn or Option+M on Mac, Alt+M on Windows), speak, and press it again. On Mac the text is pasted at your cursor automatically; on Windows it's copied to your clipboard for Ctrl+V. There is no account and no cloud mode at all.
Chirp keeps a searchable local history of your transcripts with CSV export, deletes each audio file as soon as it's transcribed, and sends no analytics. On Apple Silicon it uses Metal GPU acceleration, and a short dictation typically transcribes in 0.2–0.6 seconds. The trade-offs are real: it only understands English, the small model is less accurate than the larger models other apps offer (especially with heavy accents, jargon, or background noise), and each recording is capped at five minutes. It does not transcribe audio files.
2. MacWhisper — Best for Transcribing Audio Files on Mac
Price: Free tier; Pro is a one-time purchase (€64 at the time of writing). The Mac App Store version is sold as a subscription.
Platforms: macOS only
Engine: Local Whisper, Parakeet, and other models
MacWhisper, from Jordi Bruin, is a polished Mac app built around transcribing recorded audio and video. You can drag in files and get transcripts with timestamps, and choose between several model sizes to trade speed for accuracy. Pro also includes system-wide dictation into any text field. If you mainly need to transcribe interviews, meetings, or podcasts on a Mac, it is a strong choice. It is not available for Windows.
3. Superwhisper — Most Features and Model Choice
Price: Free tier with local models; Pro $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iPhone, Android
Engine: Local Whisper models, plus cloud models on Pro
Superwhisper is a dictation app with a lot of options. The free tier includes unlimited dictation with local Whisper models. Pro adds cloud models, extra local models such as Parakeet, bring-your-own API keys, realtime transcription, and custom “modes” that can reformat your text. It also supports many languages. If you want the most control and are happy to configure it, Superwhisper is worth trying. Keep in mind that its cloud features send audio off your device, so check which model you have selected if privacy matters.
4. FluidVoice — Best Free Open-Source Option
Price: Free and open source (GPLv3)
Platforms: macOS 15+, with a Windows build available
Engine: Local Parakeet, Whisper, and other models
FluidVoice is a free, open-source dictation app. It runs models on your device, has a global hotkey and a live preview overlay, and types or pastes into the focused app. It also has optional AI cleanup, which can run locally or in the cloud. On a Mac it needs macOS 15 or later, and the full model range needs Apple Silicon (Intel Macs can use the Whisper models). If you want something free that you can inspect and build yourself, it is an excellent option.
5. Voibe — Dictation Plus Meeting Notes
Price: monthly or yearly subscription, or $149 lifetime (check getvoibe.com for current monthly pricing); 7-day trial, no free tier
Platforms: macOS, Windows (the meeting product is Mac-only)
Engine: On-device mode (stated for Apple Silicon) or a zero-retention cloud mode
Voibe offers dictation on Mac and Windows with a choice between an on-device mode and a cloud mode that the company says does not retain your data. It also sells a separate meeting-notes product for Mac. It is a paid app after the trial, so it suits people who want a commercial product with support and both dictation and meeting features.
Comparison Table
| App | Price | Platforms | Cloud option | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chirp | 28 free, then $9.99/yr | Mac, Windows | None (always local) | English only |
| MacWhisper | Free; Pro one-time | Mac only | Local models | Many |
| Superwhisper | Free; Pro from $8.49/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Yes (Pro) | Many |
| FluidVoice | Free (open source) | Mac (15+), Windows build | Optional AI cleanup | Many |
| Voibe | Subscription or $149 lifetime | Mac, Windows | Yes (optional) | See vendor |
Competitor details are taken from each vendor's own site in September 2026 and may have changed since.
Our Recommendation
Pick Chirp if you dictate in English on a Mac or a Windows PC and want the simplest possible setup: one hotkey, no account, no cloud mode to accidentally switch on, and nothing to configure. The 28 free transcriptions let you see whether the small model is accurate enough for the way you speak.
If you need other languages, larger and more accurate models, or audio-file transcription, look at MacWhisper (Mac) or Superwhisper (Mac, Windows, and mobile). If you want a free, open-source tool and you're on a recent Mac, FluidVoice is a respectable choice. For a deeper look at how on-device dictation works and how the built-in options from Apple and Microsoft compare, read our guide to offline, private dictation on Mac and Windows.