Open-Source Dictation Apps for Windows and Mac
If you're looking for an open-source alternative to Wispr Flow, Voconly, Handy, and OpenWhispr are three desktop apps to evaluate. All three offer local speech recognition. Start by checking whether the app inserts text reliably in your own editor, then look at platform support and how it handles any extra steps you use, such as rewriting a spoken draft.
This comparison was written by Voconly. It uses the projects' public documentation and a test you can repeat on your computer. Features can vary by release and platform.
Which app fits your workflow?
| App | Desktop platforms documented by the project | Why try it | What to verify on your machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voconly | Windows, macOS | Local speech recognition with model choice and configurable instructions for text cleanup | Your preferred ASR model, shortcut, and whether optional rewriting is local or online |
| Handy | Windows, macOS, Linux | Offline desktop transcription with configurable shortcuts | Text insertion in your target app, especially with the keyboard or window manager you use |
| OpenWhispr | Windows, macOS, Linux | Desktop dictation with local or cloud processing choices | Which transcription and text-processing modes are enabled for the workflow you plan to use |
Check the current build and setup instructions before installing. Voconly repository · Handy repository · OpenWhispr repository
What should you test before switching from Wispr Flow?
Pick one workflow you use most days, such as drafting replies in a browser or leaving notes in a code editor. Install the speech model while online and set up the shortcut. Then use the same microphone, app, and test text with each candidate.
- Insert a short reply. Place the cursor between two existing lines and dictate “I'll review ticket 407 before Thursday.” Check whether it appears in the right position, with the number and timing intact.
- Try your real vocabulary. Use a fictional sentence containing terms from your work, such as a library name, a file path, or a mix of languages. Count the details you have to correct.
- Check the offline path. With the model ready, disconnect briefly and dictate into a local editor. Run the test again if you enable a rewrite mode. Local recognition and local rewriting are separate settings in tools that support both.
- Verify the output format you depend on. If you use cleaned-up replies, dictate a sentence with a false start and compare the result. Check that it keeps names, dates, conditions, and commitments.
Record the app version, model, and three outcomes for each test. Did the text appear in the right field? Which details needed correction? Which modes worked without a connection? If one app fails to insert text, try its documented permission steps and repeat the same test before comparing speed or accuracy.
Does open-source dictation always work offline?
Open source describes access to the software under its license. Offline describes which features keep working without a connection. An open-source app can let you choose a cloud service, and a local dictation app can paste into a document that syncs to a server. Check speech recognition, optional rewriting, and the destination separately.
Where does Voconly fit?
Voconly is a candidate if you use Windows or macOS and want to choose the speech model and what happens to the transcript. Start with the plain local workflow, then try a rewrite prompt for one repeatable job. If you're deciding whether to keep your current Wispr Flow setup, compare the complete workflow, including any mobile devices you use. Voconly installation and usage · Voconly and Wispr Flow comparison
Need a Fully Offline Voice Input Solution?
Voconly is a free, open-source desktop dictation app. Download a speech model to dictate offline, and choose a local or online provider if you want text cleanup.