Speech to Text & Dictation App for Mac
Built for writers, developers & professionals
Your voice is 3x faster than your fingers.
Stop typing. Start thinking.
Your best ideas are never typed.
Words should flow, not wait.
Dictate before you forget.
Offline dictation software for Mac. Speech to text in any app, no timeout, no cloud, no subscription.
Requires macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon (M1 or newer). Not compatible with Intel Macs.
80ms
Latency
Near-instant transcription
100%
Private
No cloud. No data sent.
25+
Languages
Automatic detection
3
Engines
Whisper · Parakeet · Apple
9.99€
Once
No subscription. Ever.
Speed Gap
Your brain speaks at 150 WPM. Your fingers type at 40. That's where ideas die.
RSI Risk
4 hours of typing per day. Your wrists pay the price.
Privacy Risk
Mac's dictation sends your voice to Apple's servers. Your words leave your device.
Writing faster isn't about typing speed.
It's about letting your voice do the work.
How voice dictation works on Mac
Press, speak, done
- Press your hotkey
- Speak
- Text appears
Offline speech to text for Mac - fast and private
Everything you need, nothing you don't
Dictate 3x faster than typing
Speak at 150 WPM, not type at 40. Capture thoughts at the speed of speech.
Mac voice typing in any app
Gmail, Slack, VS Code, Notion, Pages - anywhere you can type on macOS.
100% private offline dictation
100% on-device processing. No internet required. No audio leaves your Mac.
No timeout - unlike Apple Dictation
Unlike Apple's 60-second limit. Dictate for as long as you need.
3 speech to text engines
Whisper, Parakeet, or Apple. Switch anytime based on your needs.
One-time purchase, no subscription
9.99€ once. No subscription. 2 years of free updates included.
Dictation app FAQ
Everything you need to know about Dictato
How does it work?
Dictato lives in your menu bar and is always ready. You configure a global hotkey - press and hold it, speak, then release. Your speech is transcribed in real time and the resulting text is instantly inserted wherever your cursor is, in any application. It works in your email client, word processor, code editor, messaging apps, browser fields - anywhere you can type on macOS.
How is this different from Mac's built-in dictation?
Mac's built-in dictation has several limitations that Dictato solves. First, Apple's dictation stops listening when you pause. Dictato never cuts out. Second, Apple's dictation sends your audio to their servers for processing. Dictato is 100% on-device, always. Third, Dictato offers real-time transcription with 80ms latency. Fourth, you get to choose from 3 transcription engines depending on your language and accuracy needs.
Which transcription engines are supported?
Dictato ships with three transcription engines, each with different strengths: Parakeet is optimized for speed and accuracy, Whisper is known for broad multilingual coverage, and Apple SpeechAnalyzer is built into macOS. All engines run 100% locally on your Mac.
Will this work with my app?
Yes. Dictato works with virtually any macOS application where you can type.
Is my data really private?
Dictato processes all audio 100% on-device with no cloud connection. No audio or transcription data ever leaves your Mac.
What languages are supported?
The Whisper engine offers the broadest coverage with 99 languages, including English, French, German, and many more. The Parakeet engine focuses on 25 European languages with optimized accuracy.
What are the system requirements?
Dictato requires macOS Sonoma (macOS 14) or later, running on a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 chip or newer).
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Dictato includes a 7-day free trial with full functionality - no credit card required.
Can I use it for medical or legal work?
Yes. Due to its 100% on-device processing, it's suitable for confidential use.
What is the best dictation software for Mac?
If privacy and offline use matter most, Dictato is the top choice - it runs 100% on-device with three transcription engines, works in any app, and has no timeout.
Is Dictato a transcription app for macOS?
Yes. Dictato is a real-time transcription app designed for live dictation - you press a hotkey, speak, and the text is inserted directly at your cursor.
Is there a subscription?
No. Dictato is a one-time purchase of 9.99€. There are no subscriptions or monthly fees. Your purchase includes 2 years of free updates.