Dictato

Introduction to Dictato

Dictato is a private, instant voice-to-text dictation app designed for every Mac. It allows users to convert speech into text without the need for a cloud connection, account, or internet access. Your audio remains on your computer, ensuring complete privacy and security. With a simple hotkey, you can speak and have the text appear directly where your cursor is — whether in Gmail, Slack, VS Code, or any other application you're using. The app offers three transcription engines (Parakeet, Whisper, and Apple) with support for 25–99 languages depending on the selected engine. Optional proofreading and translation features are also available, all processed on-device. A 7-day free trial is offered, followed by a one-time purchase of $9.99 for a two-year license.

Takeaways

• Private and secure: No cloud, no data sent, 100% on-device processing
• No internet required: Works offline, even without Wi-Fi
• Three transcription engines: Parakeet, Whisper, and Apple
• Supports 25–99 languages: Depending on the selected engine
• One-time payment: $9.99 for a two-year license, no subscription
• Works in all apps: Gmail, Slack, VS Code, Notion, Pages, and more
• No timeout: Unlike Apple's built-in dictation, no time limit on dictation

How Dictato Works

Dictato operates through a global hotkey that you configure. When pressed and held, it begins listening to your speech. Upon release, the transcribed text is inserted directly at your cursor position in any macOS application. The transcription is powered by on-device machine learning models, which process audio locally and ensure minimal latency (as low as 80ms). This means you see words appear almost instantly as you speak. All processing happens on your Mac, so your data never leaves your device.

Core Benefits and Applications