Offline Dictation Apps That Keep Audio on Your Computer

Quick answer: On a Mac, VoiceInk, MacWhisper and Superwhisper's local models transcribe on your computer, and Apple Dictation can too, depending on setup. On Windows, Voice Access works offline after setup. Handy, OpenWhispr and Spokenly's free local models run on Mac, Windows and Linux; Vocalinux is Linux only. Blip AI does it on Pro, not on its cloud-only free plan.

We build Blip AI, one of the apps on this page, so weigh our view with that in mind. Every claim about another app comes from its own site or docs, checked on 30 October 2026. Where another app is the better pick, we say so.

What does offline dictation mean?

Offline dictation means the speech model runs on your own computer. Your voice becomes text without being sent to a server. If you can turn off Wi-Fi and still dictate, it's offline.

Three catches matter more than the label on the website:

• You download the model first. Local models are files from tens of megabytes to a few gigabytes. Superwhisper's model guide puts its local downloads at 75 MB to 3 GB. Windows Voice Access needs internet once, to download its language files during setup.
• Some apps start in the cloud. Superwhisper's guide labels its cloud setup "start here", and Blip AI uses Blip Cloud by default. In both, offline is a setting you choose.
• Cleanup can be a separate step. Some apps polish your text with an AI model after transcribing it. VoiceInk says that if you turn on its optional Cloud Enhancement, only the transcribed text is processed, not your voice. OpenWhispr's cleanup is on by default, and its docs say a local model keeps the text on your machine. If you want nothing to leave, check the voice model and the text model.

Offline dictation apps compared

How we picked: an app is here only if its own site or docs say it transcribes on your computer, and it types into other apps, not just its own window. Built-in tools come first because they cost nothing. The other apps are in alphabetical order, and Blip AI is last because we make it. Willow Voice has an offline mode on Mac and iOS, but its pages don't say which plan includes it and Windows is cloud only, so it's listed under the apps that need internet.

Prices checked on each vendor's own page on 30 October 2026.

Which dictation apps work offline on a Mac?

On this list, the Mac has the most options. Handy, OpenWhispr and Spokenly run here too; they're covered in the cross-platform section below.

Apple Dictation: free, but check where it runs

Apple's Dictation guide says you can check Keyboard settings to see whether general text dictation is "processed on your device and not sent to Siri servers". That check doesn't cover dictating in a search box. Apple's privacy page says that otherwise, what you dictate is sent to and processed on Apple's servers, and isn't stored unless you opt in to Improve Siri and Dictation.

So Apple Dictation can keep your words on your Mac, but only your Mac tells you whether it does. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard and read the text under Dictation. Apple's guide also says that with Apple Intelligence in macOS 27, dictation uses an on-device model to improve spelling, punctuation and capitalization. That part is in English only, on Macs with an M3 chip or later and at least 12 GB of unified memory. Steps and limits are in speech to text on Mac.

Screenshot of support.apple.com, taken October 30, 2026.

MacWhisper: for files and meetings as well as dictation

MacWhisper is a Mac app for transcribing files and meetings, and its dictation lets you use your voice in any app. Its site says it can "process sensitive content locally without data ever leaving your Mac", and that you can switch between models hosted locally on your Mac or remotely. There's a free version and a one-time €64 Pro licence. Pick it if you transcribe recordings too. On a PC, see the MacWhisper alternative page.

Screenshot of macwhisper.com, taken October 30, 2026.

Superwhisper: local or cloud, your choice

Superwhisper says on its home page that it "works offline". Its model guide explains the trade. Local models are a one-time download, work offline, and "audio never leaves your device". Cloud models need internet. The guide labels the cloud setup "start here", so you need to switch to a local voice model yourself.

Each Superwhisper mode also has a language model that shapes the result. The guide's local setup pairs the Cohere Transcribe voice model with the S1-mini language model, and says both run on your device. Every Whisper model is free. Cohere Transcribe, the Parakeet models and the cloud models need Pro, which costs $8.49 a month on its home page. Its FAQ says Intel Macs work best with cloud models. More in Blip AI vs Superwhisper.

Screenshot of superwhisper.com, taken October 30, 2026.

VoiceInk: offline by default, one payment

VoiceInk says it "processes all voice transcription locally on your device" and that your voice data never leaves your Mac. Cloud Enhancement is optional; the site says only the transcribed text, not your voice, is processed if you turn it on. It needs an Apple Silicon Mac on macOS 14.4 or later. The pricing page lists $25 once for one Mac, $39 for two and $49 for three, with a free trial. If you only use a Mac and want offline from the first minute, VoiceInk is the simplest pick here.

Screenshot of tryvoiceink.com, taken October 30, 2026.

Does Windows have offline dictation?

Yes, but not through Win + H. Microsoft says Win + H voice typing "uses online speech recognition, which is powered by Azure Speech services", and needs an internet connection (Microsoft). For offline use, you have Voice Access, Superwhisper, and the three cross-platform apps below.

Voice Access: the built-in offline option

Microsoft's Voice Access setup page says Voice Access lets everyone "control their PC and author text using only their voice and without an internet connection". It's in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. During setup it downloads language files for on-device speech recognition, and that step needs internet. Turn it on in Settings > Accessibility > Speech.

Voice Access is built to run the whole PC by voice: opening apps, browsing and writing email. That makes it more than a dictation button. Our Windows voice to text guide has the steps and dictation commands.

Screenshot of support.microsoft.com, taken October 30, 2026.

Superwhisper on Windows: check your graphics chip

Superwhisper's model guide says that on Windows, Cohere Transcribe and Whisper Large v3 Turbo use Vulkan when your GPU supports it, and "fall back to the much slower CPU otherwise". Windows ARM (Snapdragon) devices don't support those two yet. On ARM, the guide says to use Parakeet Multilanguage, which needs Pro, or a cloud model.

Which offline dictation apps work on Linux?

On Linux, offline dictation comes from open-source apps and a few commercial ones with a Linux build. Several apps note limits on Wayland, so read each app's Wayland notes. Our Linux dictation roundup covers more options, such as Speech Note and nerd-dictation.

Vocalinux: offline by default, Linux only

Vocalinux describes itself as "free, open-source, 100% offline voice dictation for Linux". It uses whisper.cpp by default and can also run Whisper, Faster Whisper, VOSK or Parakeet. Its README says local engines process audio on your device after you download a model, and its optional remote API stays off unless you configure it. It works on X11 and Wayland, and lists a GPU as optional.

Screenshot of github.com, taken October 24, 2026.

Voxtype: push-to-talk for Wayland

Voxtype says it's "local by default", with no cloud, subscription or telemetry, and optional remote Whisper servers if you want them. It has nine transcription engines, including Whisper, Parakeet and Moonshine. It lists Hyprland, Niri, Sway, River, GNOME and KDE, plus a fallback for X11, and it's also on macOS through Homebrew.

Screenshot of github.com, taken October 24, 2026.

Which offline dictation apps work on Mac, Windows and Linux?

Three free options run on all three desktops. Blip AI does too, on Pro (next section).

Handy: the simplest free option

Handy calls itself "a free, open source, and extensible speech-to-text application that works completely offline". Its README says your voice stays on your computer, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Whisper models use GPU acceleration when available, and its Parakeet V3 model is CPU-optimized. On Linux, the README calls Wayland support limited and recommends installing wtype or dotool.

Screenshot of github.com, taken October 24, 2026.

OpenWhispr: open source, with cleanup you can keep local

OpenWhispr's offline page says its Whisper and Parakeet models "are downloaded once and run entirely on your computer", and that after setup the app never needs to contact a server. It runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. Local dictation is free on every plan; Pro ($80 per user per year, on its pricing page) adds unlimited cloud transcription.

OpenWhispr's cleanup step removes filler words and fixes grammar and punctuation, and it's on by default. You choose who runs it: OpenWhispr Cloud, your own OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or Groq key, or a local model. Pick the local model if you want the text to stay on your machine too.

Screenshot of openwhispr.com, taken October 30, 2026.

Spokenly: a free plan that works fully offline

Spokenly's pricing page lists a free plan with Whisper and Parakeet models that "works completely offline", with no account needed. It runs on macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS. Local+ is a $29 one-time upgrade for extras, and Pro is $12 a month, billed $144 a year, for cloud models and AI text cleanup. Its Linux page says it works on X11 and Wayland, but that compositor-specific input limits can change how it behaves, so test the apps you use.

Screenshot of spokenly.app, taken October 30, 2026.

Does Blip AI work offline?

Yes, on Pro, and not by default. Blip AI supports both cloud and on-device models, and it types cleaned-up text into any app with a text field. Hold Fn on a Mac, Ctrl + Win on Windows or Ctrl + Super on Linux, speak, and let go. Out of the box it uses Blip Cloud, which needs internet.

On Pro, you can download an on-device Whisper model in the desktop app instead:

With one of these models, Blip transcribes and cleans up your text offline, on your computer. Your history is stored on your device, not on Blip's servers. This works on Mac, Windows and Linux.

The free plan is cloud-only. It gives you 2,000 words a month on Blip Cloud, with no on-device models. Pro is $15 a month, or $12 a month billed yearly, with a 7-day free trial that charges $0 today (pricing). Blip AI isn't HIPAA compliant and doesn't offer a BAA, so don't choose it for that.

When Blip AI is the better pick: you want Blip Cloud most of the time and an offline mode when you need it, in one app across Mac, Windows and Linux. When it isn't: you want offline for free. Handy, Spokenly's free plan, OpenWhispr and Superwhisper's Whisper models cost nothing. On a Mac only, VoiceInk is offline from the start for $25 once. If Blip fits, download it here.

Screenshot of blipai.app, taken October 30, 2026.

Which popular dictation apps need the internet, at least on some computers?

These dictation apps can't work offline, or only partly:

• Wispr Flow: its data controls page says "transcription always occurs on the cloud". See Wispr Flow alternatives.
• Aqua Voice: its Mac page says it processes audio in the cloud and "there is no offline mode".
• Windows voice typing (Win + H): online, through Azure Speech services, as above.
• Willow Voice: its home page lists an offline mode, "powered entirely by your device". Willow's own blog says offline mode is on Mac and iOS, and that Windows users get cloud processing. Neither page names a plan.

What hardware do you need for offline dictation?

A local model runs on your own processor or graphics chip, so your computer sets the limit. Here's what the vendors say:

• Mac: Superwhisper's FAQ says "offline models only run really well on Apple Silicon macs". VoiceInk runs only on Apple Silicon. Apple's on-device model that improves dictation's spelling and punctuation needs an M3 or later with at least 12 GB of unified memory.
• Windows: Superwhisper's Cohere Transcribe and Whisper Large v3 Turbo models use a Vulkan-capable GPU and fall back to a much slower CPU. Windows ARM (Snapdragon) devices get one local model, Parakeet, on Pro.
• Linux: Vocalinux lists a GPU as optional. Handy uses GPU acceleration when available, and its Parakeet V3 model is CPU-optimized.
• Model size: OpenWhispr's offline page puts it simply: "Larger models are more accurate; smaller models are faster." Blip's models run from about 148 MB to about 1.6 GB.

Start with a small model. Move up a size if the accuracy bothers you and the speed still feels fine.

How to check that your audio stays on your computer

You don't have to take a website's word for it. Run this quick check:

1. Pick a local model in the app's settings and download it while you're online.
2. Turn off Wi-Fi, or unplug the network cable.
3. Dictate a sentence into any text box. If the text appears, transcription is running on your computer.
4. Check the text step. Turn off any cloud cleanup, enhancement or AI-provider setting, or point it at a local model.
5. Check every mode. In Superwhisper, each mode has its own voice model, so a mode you rarely use may still be set to cloud.
6. Check where history goes. Wispr Flow, for example, has a Dictation Cloud Storage setting that controls whether it keeps your transcripts, audio and history on its servers. Blip AI stores history on your device.

FAQ

Which dictation apps work completely offline? On a Mac: VoiceInk, MacWhisper and Superwhisper with local models. On Windows: Voice Access on Windows 11 22H2 and later. On Mac, Windows and Linux: Handy, OpenWhispr with local models, and Spokenly's free plan. On Linux: Vocalinux, plus Voxtype, which also installs on macOS through Homebrew. Blip AI works offline on Pro with a downloaded Whisper model.

Does Apple Dictation work offline on a Mac? Apple's Mac guide doesn't say. It says to check System Settings > Keyboard to see whether general text dictation is processed on your device and not sent to Siri servers; that check doesn't cover search boxes. If it isn't on your device, Apple's privacy page says what you dictate is sent to and processed on Apple's servers. To find out, turn off Wi-Fi and dictate a sentence.

Does Windows voice typing work offline? No. Microsoft says Win + H voice typing uses online speech recognition from Azure Speech services and needs internet. Voice Access works without an internet connection on Windows 11, version 22H2 and later, after it downloads its language files.

Is Blip AI's free plan offline? No. The Blip AI free plan is cloud-only, with 2,000 words a month on Blip Cloud. Offline dictation with on-device Whisper models is a Pro feature, on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Does Wispr Flow work offline? No. Wispr Flow's data controls page says transcription always occurs on the cloud. Aqua Voice also says it has no offline mode.

Do offline dictation apps need the internet at all? Usually once. You download the speech model while online, and Windows Voice Access downloads its language files during setup. After that, OpenWhispr says its app never needs to contact a server.

Is Blip AI HIPAA compliant? No. Blip AI isn't HIPAA compliant today and doesn't offer a BAA. Its Pro on-device models transcribe offline, and history is stored on your device, not on Blip's servers.