"Offline" isn't just a feature—it's a philosophy. When your dictation app works without internet, you get absolute privacy, consistent performance, and the freedom to work anywhere.
No upload delays. No server outages. No wondering what happens to your audio data.
Here are the best offline dictation apps for Mac in 2026, with honest assessments of what each does well.
Why Offline Matters
Before the recommendations, let's be clear about what offline dictation actually provides:
Privacy guarantee: Your voice never leaves your computer. No servers, no third parties, no data collection. For doctors, lawyers, journalists, or anyone handling sensitive information, this isn't optional—it's required.
Reliability: Works on airplanes. Works when your internet is down. Works in basements and remote locations. No dependency on cloud services that might have outages.
Speed: No upload time, no server processing delays. Local processing on M-series Macs is exceptionally fast.
Cost predictability: No per-minute fees. No surprise charges based on usage.
The Best Offline Dictation Apps
1. Private Transcriber AI — Best Overall
Private Transcriber AI runs two AI models locally:
- Whisper v3 Turbo: Speech-to-text for live dictation and audio/video files (MP3, WAV, MP4, MKV, M4A), highly optimized for M-series Macs
- Qwen 3.5: Text refinement, tone adjustment, and translation
Both run offline. Both are included in the app download.
What works offline:
Real-time dictation — Press hotkey, speak, transcribe. No internet required.
Audio/video file transcription — Load existing files for transcription offline. Same dual-AI refinement as live dictation.
SRT subtitle generation — Create subtitle files with timestamps for videos. Generate and refine subtitles completely offline.
Text refinement — Change tone (casual to professional), fix transcription errors, translate to 100+ languages. All processing happens locally without internet.
Built-in organization (fully offline):
Journal — Save transcriptions with tags like #meeting, #idea, #project. Search across all entries by content. Filter by time periods: Day, Week, Month, Year, or Custom date ranges. All searching and filtering happens locally—no cloud indexing.
Due tab — Create tasks with deadlines and recurring schedules from voice or transcriptions. View by Day, Week, Month, or Year. Set reminders and recurring tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, custom). All task data stored locally—no cloud sync required.
Setup:
- Download from transcriber.craftby.dev
- Install (drag to Applications)
- Launch once to complete model setup
- Done—works offline forever
Test offline operation:
- Turn off WiFi and disconnect ethernet
- Launch the app
- Record and transcribe (or load a file)
- Try text refinement and subtitle generation
- Save to Journal and create a task in Due
- Confirm everything works without internet
All features—transcription, refinement, subtitles, organization, tasks—function completely offline.
Best for: Users who want polished output for any source. Content creators needing subtitles. Anyone wanting file transcription with AI refinement. Users needing organization alongside transcription. Multilingual users. Privacy-focused professionals.
Comparing Offline Organization Features
Private Transcriber AI:
- Journal stores all transcriptions locally with tags and search
- Due tab manages tasks with deadlines and recurring schedules
- All organization happens offline—no cloud dependency
- Filter transcriptions by time periods or tags without internet
- Unlike cloud note-taking apps (Evernote, Notion) or task managers (Todoist, Things), no sync means no internet requirement
Apple Dictation:
- No organization features
- Text appears in whatever app you're using
- You need separate apps for notes and tasks
Other offline dictation apps:
- Most focus only on transcription
- Organization requires separate apps (often cloud-based)
- Private Transcriber AI is the only option with transcription + organization in one offline tool
2. MacWhisper — Best for Speaker Diarization
MacWhisper specializes in batch file processing with speaker diarization—identifying different speakers in multi-speaker recordings.
All processing happens locally. The Pro version adds batch processing and integrations—while maintaining offline capability.
Key features:
- Local Whisper processing
- Batch file transcription
- Timestamps and speaker labels
- Export options
Best for: Multi-speaker recordings where identifying different speakers matters (interviews, panel discussions, meetings).
3. VoiceInk — Best Open-Source Option
VoiceInk is available on GitHub—you can verify exactly what it does with your audio. Basic Whisper dictation with hotkey activation and clipboard integration.
Development is community-driven, which means occasional bugs but also transparency and rapid fixes.
Key features:
- Open source (GitHub)
- Local Whisper processing
- Hotkey activation
- Clipboard integration
Best for: Developers, open-source advocates, users who want code transparency.
4. Superwhisper — Best for Customization
Superwhisper offers extensive configuration options for users who want to fine-tune their dictation workflow. Custom vocabulary, multiple modes, advanced settings.
Note: Some features may use cloud processing. Configure carefully if offline operation is critical.
Key features:
- Deep customization
- Custom vocabulary support
- Multiple modes
- Local Whisper processing (verify cloud feature usage)
Best for: Power users who want granular control.
5. Whisper Notes — Best Budget Option
Simple, affordable Whisper transcription. Mac and iOS universal purchase at a low price point. Basic features, clean interface.
Key features:
- Local Whisper processing
- Mac + iOS
- Budget pricing
- Simple interface
Best for: Light users, occasional dictation, tight budgets.
6. Apple Dictation (Enhanced Disabled) — Best Free Option
macOS includes dictation, though with a significant caveat: "Enhanced Dictation" sends audio to Apple's servers. For truly offline dictation, you must disable Enhanced features—which reduces accuracy.
The 30-second time limit applies regardless.
Key features:
- Built-in to macOS
- Free
- Offline mode available (with accuracy trade-off)
Best for: Quick notes, testing if dictation fits your workflow.
Quick Comparison
| App | Real-Time | Files | Text Refinement | Price Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Transcriber AI | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Subscription |
| MacWhisper | ✓ | ✓ | — | One-time |
| VoiceInk | ✓ | ✓ | — | One-time |
| Superwhisper | ✓ | ✓ | Modes | One-time |
| Whisper Notes | ✓ | ✓ | — | One-time |
| Apple Dictation | ✓ | — | — | Free |
What "Offline" Really Means
Be careful about claims. Some apps can work offline but also have features that use cloud services. Questions to ask:
Is the core transcription offline? Most Whisper-based apps process transcription locally.
Do any features require internet? Some apps have cloud-dependent features even if basic transcription is local.
Is account creation required? Even if processing is local, account requirements mean some data touches servers.
Can you verify the claims? Open-source apps (VoiceInk, Aiko) let you inspect the code.
For maximum privacy: Private Transcriber AI (no account, no internet, both AI models local) or verified open-source options.
Choosing the Right Tool
You want to type less in daily work: → Private Transcriber AI gives you polished text with minimal effort
You have recordings to transcribe: → Private Transcriber AI for AI refinement and subtitles, MacWhisper if you need speaker diarization
You want maximum transparency: → VoiceInk or another open-source option
You want deep customization: → Superwhisper (verify which features are truly offline)
You have very simple needs: → Whisper Notes or Apple Dictation
Privacy is your top priority: → Private Transcriber AI (dual local AI, no account) or open-source options
The Bottom Line
Offline dictation has matured significantly. Modern Whisper-based apps deliver accuracy that rivals cloud services—without sending your voice anywhere.
For most users, Private Transcriber AI offers the best balance: excellent transcription, intelligent refinement, absolute privacy, and a workflow that integrates smoothly into daily work.
Test before committing. Most options have free tiers or trials. Find what fits your specific workflow.
Download Private Transcriber AI for Mac free — no signup, no internet required.