BetterWispr – Free, open-source dictation for Mac
Open-source Mac dictation that drops your ums and types in the app's own style, fully offline.
BetterWispr transcribes speech on-device with your choice of nine built-in models, from Apple's own to Parakeet and Whisper, so nothing is uploaded and no account is needed. It drops ums, repeats and false starts by default, can rewrite tone per app (casual, formal, and so on), and includes a meeting notetaker that separates "Me" from "Them" and writes a summary with action items on-device via Apple Intelligence or Ollama. It's free, Apache 2.0 licensed, and updates are EdDSA-signed and verified before install.
What holds up
- +Transcribes fully on-device with no account — speech never leaves your Mac.
- +Nine built-in models including Parakeet and Whisper, plus your own API key for others.
- +Free and Apache 2.0 — read the source, build it yourself, or audit the EdDSA-signed updates.
Mind the limits
- −Mac only, Apple Silicon recommended — no Windows or Linux version.
- −Voice commands and tone cleanup work in English only.
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