I discovered a more effective method for dictation on my Mac that doesn’t require cloud access.

      Apple has made significant improvements to its dictation feature on the Mac, yet it still falls short compared to several AI-driven dictation apps that have gained popularity on the App Store.

      My main concern with these apps is that many of the better ones require a subscription, and I prefer to avoid adding another subscription to my already extensive list. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to come across TypeWhisper.

      This app uses local AI models for transcription and is among the best dictation applications I have tried. It has become my preferred tool for quickly expressing and capturing my thoughts for later refinement. Let me introduce you to TypeWhisper.

      Introducing TypeWhisper

      Essentially, TypeWhisper converts speech into text using AI models that operate locally on the Mac. The App Store has plenty of similar apps, but most confine their best features behind a subscription and send your voice to the cloud for processing.

      In contrast, TypeWhisper offers the opposite. While you can opt for cloud-based models if you find them more accurate, you aren't obligated to use them. There are numerous on-device models available at no cost. I have been using the app for some time and am consistently impressed by the speed and accuracy of its transcriptions, even with the free local models.

      Seamless integration with your favorite writing apps

      One of the features I appreciate most about TypeWhisper is how effortlessly it facilitates the transition from speaking to typing. I can activate it with a global keyboard shortcut from anywhere on my Mac. I can keep the key pressed for push-to-talk or tap it once to begin and end recording.

      Once I finish speaking, TypeWhisper automatically inserts the transcribed text into the open text field. This eliminates the need for manually copying and pasting the text from TypeWhisper into the desired app. For instance, when dictating an email, I can do so directly in my email application.

      Here's another instance of how I utilize it: If I wish to add a note to my Obsidian vault, I press my shortcut, verbalize my ideas, squeeze the shortcut again to stop, and moments later, my words appear in the app. It may seem straightforward, but once you adapt to speaking rather than typing, returning to typing feels exceedingly slow.

      Personalized vocabulary adaptation

      If you frequently use particular names, brands, or industry-specific terms, TypeWhisper allows you to customize your vocabulary. I can define specific terms, create corrections for frequently misheard words, and enable it to develop a personal dictionary over time as I continue to use it.

      What I find most convenient is that I don't always need to add these words manually. If I correct a misheard word after dictation, TypeWhisper recognizes the correction and retains it for future use. This way, I can avoid wasting time navigating through a settings menu.

      Express your thoughts, let AI refine them

      A notable feature of TypeWhisper is its ability to process your transcribed text through AI before adding it to a document. For instance, if I want my dictation formatted in Markdown for Obsidian, I can create a workflow for that and even select which AI provider processes the text, whether it's an on-device option or services like OpenAI or Gemini.

      Additionally, I enjoy the snippets feature, which is useful for dictating recurring text. I have established trigger phrases that, when spoken, automatically expand into a complete sentence or paragraph.

      A few more useful features

      TypeWhisper can also transcribe audio and video files. It even allows me to export subtitle files with timestamps if needed. There’s a searchable history of everything I have dictated, complete with filters, making it easy to revisit something I said last week without much trouble. There's a mode that boosts microphone sensitivity, enabling the app to pick up my voice even in noisy settings.

      TypeWhisper also features an add-ons hub where you can incorporate additional functionalities. One add-on I particularly appreciate is the Filler Words add-on, which automatically removes "ums" and "uhs" from my dictation before the text is pasted, resulting in cleaner text.

      There's a whole marketplace of these add-ons, and if you're proficient with coding, you can even create custom add-ons tailored to your workflow.

      My concluding thoughts on TypeWhisper

      TypeWhisper has become a vital component of my workflow. The app is quick and precise, and it's free. If you've hesitated to try a dictation app due to concerns about speed, accuracy, or not wanting to pay a subscription to speak to your computer, I encourage you to give TypeWhisper a chance. I believe it will become a permanent part of your Mac experience.