On-device
<0.5s on your GPU
No upload. No queue. No waiting on someone else’s servers.
v1.2.3 · free · local · open source · Mac
Don’t type. Just speak.
On-device dictation in <0.5s — not a ~$2B cloud bill at ~2–3s. Your Mac. Your voice. $0 forever.
v1.2.3
Qwen + Parakeet
macOS 14+
Apple Silicon
Windows
Live race
Who finishes first?
<0.5s local vs ~2–3s cloud
Listening…
MacWispr
<0.5s
—
Ready
Wispr Flow
~2–3s
—
Ready
Versus
Open source vs a $2B cloud app
Same job. Better defaults. No monthly tax.
MacWispr
- <0.5s local
- Your Mac
- $0 forever
- Mac only
- MIT open source
Wispr Flow
- ~2–3s cloud
- Their servers
- ~$12–15/mo
- Cross-platform
- Closed · ~$2B story
Benefits
Faster. Private. Free.
Less cloud tax. More Mac. One job done well.
Option Space
Hold. Speak. Release. Text lands where you are.
Option+Space
$0
Forever free. MIT. No trial cliff.
Mac only. Windows can wait outside.
Built for Apple Silicon. If you need a power brick to open Chrome, this isn’t for you. Yet.
macOS 14+
Apple Silicon
Windows
Stays on the machine
No account. Audio doesn’t leave your Mac for local ASR. Telemetry is opt-in, anonymous, and never sees your words — read the contract.
Updates itself
Check for Updates… built in (Sparkle). No re-downloading DMGs like it’s 2009.
The math
Even at 80 wpm, your fingers lose.
Keyboard
80 wpm
pretty fast
Mouth
150 wpm
done
Setup · stable v1.2.3
Install on Mac (Apple Silicon)
Stable: v1.2.3 (Latest + Sparkle). Polish beta: v1.2.4-beta.1 (~1.2 GB, bundled on-device polish; not auto-updated). First launch may need right-click → Open if Gatekeeper prompts. Then grant Mic + Accessibility.
-
01
Download & install
Stable DMG (1.2.3) · Beta DMG (1.2.4-beta.1) → drag MacWispr into Applications.
-
02
Trust the app (first launch)
Finder → Applications: right-click MacWispr → Open → Open. Or Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.
-
03
Mic + Accessibility · dictate
Allow permissions, then hold Option Space. Pick Qwen or Parakeet in the app.
Speak free. Own the default.
Open-source dictation for Mac. No account. No $2B subscription story. Windows can wait outside.