A Mac dictation alternative for every Mac
macOS Dictation is free, built in and, on Apple Silicon, processed on your Mac for many languages. For a lot of people it is enough. OiPer is for when you want local dictation on an Intel Mac or in more languages, a hold-to-talk hotkey, text that is cleaned up or translated before it is typed, and a history of everything you said.
Updated
What macOS Dictation does well
Know the built-in tool before you install anything.
On-device on Apple Silicon
On a Mac with Apple silicon, Dictation is processed on your Mac for supported languages, with no internet connection required. Apple lists 48 languages and regional variants for on-device dictation.
No time limit
You can dictate text of any length without a timeout. Dictation stops by itself after 30 seconds without speech.
Punctuation as you speak
In supported languages, Dictation inserts commas, periods and question marks automatically, and you can say punctuation, emoji names or “new line”.
Type while you dictate
On Apple silicon you can keep typing with the keyboard without stopping Dictation.
Why people add OiPer
Where the built-in tool falls short for daily dictation.
Local on Intel Macs too
Apple sends dictation to its servers on Intel Macs and in languages without on-device support. OiPer runs Whisper models on any Mac from macOS 10.15, on the GPU when usable and the CPU otherwise.
Read about ModelsPick the model and the language
Choose a local model from the 75 MB Tiny to Large v3 Turbo, set the language you speak per profile, or bring your own API key for OpenAI, Groq or another provider.
Read about ModelsHold to talk
Hold your hotkey while you speak and release to type, or use a press to start and stop shortcut for long dictation. Each profile has its own shortcuts.
Read about ProfilesRewrite and translate before typing
Formatting presets fix grammar and misheard words, turn speech into an email or a clear AI prompt, or translate into just under a hundred languages.
Read about FormattingHistory with audio replay
Every dictation is saved on your Mac with its transcript and recording, so nothing you said is lost if it lands in the wrong window.
Read about HistoryThe same app on Windows and Linux
Use the same profiles, snippets and hotkey habits on a Windows PC or a Linux laptop.
Read about InstallationWhen macOS Dictation is enough
Free, already installed and private on Apple Silicon.
Everyday dictation on Apple Silicon
If you have an Apple Silicon Mac, speak a language with on-device support and want text as you said it, built-in Dictation needs no install and no extra permissions.
Controlling your Mac by voice
Apple’s Voice Control lets you control your Mac by voice and has a custom vocabulary of up to 1,000 terms. OiPer types what you say and does not control your Mac.
OiPer vs macOS Dictation
Feature by feature. Based on public information, checked October 2026.
| Feature | OiPer | macOS Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for local transcription | Free, built into macOS |
| On-device on Apple Silicon | Yes | Yes, in supported languages |
| On-device on Intel Macs | Yes, on the CPU or GPU | No, sent to Apple |
| How you start it | Hold a hotkey, or press to start and stop | Microphone key or Dictation shortcut |
| Automatic punctuation | With a formatting preset | Yes, in supported languages |
| Choose your speech model | Tiny to Large v3 Turbo, or your own API key | No |
| AI rewriting and translation | Yes, presets or your own instructions | Not part of Dictation |
| Custom words | Dictionary (cloud and OiPer modes) | In Voice Control, up to 1,000 terms |
| Different setups per task | Profiles with their own hotkey and language | No |
| Dictation history | Yes, with audio replay | No |
| Windows and Linux | Yes | No |
Questions, answered
What people ask before they start dictating with OiPer.
Is Mac dictation done on-device?
On Apple Silicon Macs, yes, for supported languages, and no internet connection is needed. On Intel Macs, or in languages without on-device support, Apple sends your dictation to its servers.
Does Mac dictation have a time limit?
No. Apple says you can dictate text of any length without a timeout. Dictation stops automatically after 30 seconds without speech.
What is a better dictation app for Mac?
For quick dictation on Apple Silicon, built-in Dictation is often enough. OiPer is better if you want local transcription on an Intel Mac, hold-to-talk, AI formatting, translation or a history of your dictations.
Why is my Mac dictation not working offline?
Offline dictation needs an Apple Silicon Mac, a language with on-device support and its downloaded speech model. Otherwise macOS sends dictation to Apple and needs a connection.
Does OiPer work offline on an Intel Mac?
Yes. There is a separate Intel build, and local Whisper models run on the CPU or GPU, so dictation works without an internet connection.
Why does OiPer need more permissions than Apple Dictation?
OiPer is a separate app, so macOS asks you to allow Microphone, Input Monitoring for the hotkey, Accessibility to type the text and Screen Recording to place the overlay.
Is OiPer free on Mac?
Local, on-device transcription is free and unlimited, and no account is required. Paid plans add hosted transcription and formatting models.