Private, offline voice dictation for macOS powered by Whisper AI, with no subscriptions.
Visit WebsiteFreemiumVisit Website
Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free plan available, paid tiers above
Biggest pro
Ensures 100% privacy as all processing is done locally.
Biggest con
Requires macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon.
TL;DR - TongueType for macOS
- Offline, private voice dictation for macOS using Whisper AI.
- Transcribes live speech and audio/video files locally.
- Customizable hotkeys, appearance, and post-processing rules.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
What is TongueType for macOS?
TongueType is a macOS application that provides fast, private, and offline voice dictation capabilities. It leverages Whisper AI to transcribe spoken words into text in real-time, directly on your Apple Silicon Mac. Designed for users who want to dictate emails, messages, code comments, or LLM prompts without relying on cloud services, it ensures complete privacy as all processing occurs locally on the device.
Beyond live dictation, TongueType also allows users to transcribe audio and video files (WAV, MP3, MP4, MOV) locally. It offers extensive customization options, including hotkey configuration, appearance settings, and post-processing rules to clean up transcripts or map spoken cues to symbols. The tool is ideal for anyone looking to improve their typing speed, reduce typing strain, or efficiently transcribe recordings, all while maintaining strict data privacy.
Available on: macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ensures 100% privacy as all processing is done locally.
- No subscription model; offers a free tier and a one-time purchase for Pro.
- Fast and accurate transcription powered by Whisper AI.
- Supports multiple languages with automatic detection.
- Highly customizable to fit user preferences and workflow.
Cons
- Requires macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon.
- Free tier has a monthly limit on live dictation and file transcription length.
Key Features
100% Local Processing (Whisper AI on-device)Live Voice Dictation (Hold, Speak, Release)Audio/Video File Transcription (WAV, MP3, MP4, MOV)Hotkey CustomizationMulti-language Support (12 languages with auto-detection)Customizable Appearance (overlay, accent colors, Rainbow Mode)Post-processing Rules (strip non-speech, cancel take, map spoken cues)iCloud Sync for Preferences
Pricing
Freemium
TongueType for macOS offers a generous free tier with optional paid upgrades for advanced features.
Reviews
Be the first to review TongueType for macOS
Your take helps the next buyer. Verified LinkedIn reviewers get a badge.
Write a reviewExplore More
TongueType for macOS FAQ
What are the specific system requirements for TongueType to run?
TongueType requires macOS 14 or newer and an Apple Silicon Mac to function, as it leverages the local processing capabilities of these devices for its Whisper AI engine.
How does TongueType ensure my privacy, given it uses AI for transcription?
TongueType guarantees privacy by performing all transcription locally on your Mac using Whisper AI. Your audio never leaves your device, and there are no cloud servers, accounts, or analytics involved, meaning your data is never transmitted or stored externally.
Can I use TongueType to transcribe existing audio or video recordings, and what file types are supported?
Yes, TongueType can transcribe existing audio and video files. It supports WAV, MP3, MP4, and MOV formats, processing them entirely on your Mac to generate text transcripts.
What kind of customization options are available for the dictation experience?
Users can customize their hotkey, set a grace period for activation, enable double-tap to latch for longer takes, choose how transcribed text is inserted, and sync preferences via iCloud. Appearance options include matching system themes, selecting from twenty accent colors or Rainbow Mode, placing the recording indicator, and writing a custom listening label.
How does the 'Postprocessing Rules' feature work, and what can it do?
Postprocessing Rules allow you to refine your transcripts. You can configure it to strip non-speech annotations like '[music]' or '(laughter)', cancel a recording mid-take with a spoken phrase (e.g., 'scratch that'), and map spoken cues like 'new line' or 'question mark' to their corresponding symbols.
If I purchase TongueType Pro, how many Macs can I use it on?
A single one-time purchase of TongueType Pro allows you to use the full, unlimited features on up to 5 different Macs.
Source: tonguetype.app