Typing Shouldn't Be a Barrier
For millions of people, using a keyboard is painful, difficult, or impossible. Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, dyslexia, and motor disabilities can make traditional typing a daily struggle. Chirp provides an alternative: speak your thoughts, and they appear as text wherever your cursor is.
Hands-Free Input from Any App
Chirp works system-wide with a single global hotkey — Fn on Mac, Alt+M on Windows (both customizable). There's no need to switch to a special dictation window or configure app-by-app integrations. Activate Chirp from your email client, word processor, chat app, browser, or any other application. Your transcribed text auto-pastes directly where you need it.
Clear Audio Feedback
Chirp provides sound feedback when recording starts and stops, so you always know the current state without needing to look at the screen. This is especially important for users who rely on audio cues or who may have difficulty visually tracking a small indicator.
Offline Reliability
For assistive technology, reliability is not optional — it's essential. Cloud-based voice-to-text services can fail when your internet connection drops, slows down, or becomes unavailable. Chirp processes everything locally on your device using the whisper.cpp engine. No internet connection is ever required. Your voice input works the same whether you're online, offline, or on a spotty connection.
RSI and Carpal Tunnel Relief
If you've been diagnosed with RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor has probably told you to reduce keyboard use. But in a world that runs on text, that's easier said than done. Chirp lets you continue writing emails, documents, messages, and notes without touching the keyboard. Use it as your primary input method, or alternate between voice and typing to manage your symptoms.
Support for Dyslexia
People with dyslexia often find it easier to express their thoughts verbally than in writing. Chirp captures spoken words accurately, bypassing the spelling and letter-reversal challenges that make typing frustrating. Speak naturally, and Chirp handles the transcription.
Motor Disability Support
For users with limited fine motor control, a keyboard can be an unreliable input device. Chirp offers voice as a primary text input method that requires no hand coordination. The global hotkey can be customized to whatever key combination is most accessible for your setup.
Privacy You Can Trust
Your voice recordings and transcriptions never leave your computer. Chirp uses a local AI model (~30MB) that runs entirely on your machine. No account is required, no data is sent to the cloud, and no third party ever has access to what you say. For users who rely on assistive technology for sensitive personal or medical communication, this privacy is critical.
Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Chirp runs on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows 10+, and Linux (.deb and .AppImage). It takes up roughly 95MB of disk space and starts with 28 free transcriptions — no account needed. Unlimited use is $9.99 per year.