FAQ
Questions, answered.
Anything we missed? Ask us directly.
What Mac does Speakist require?
Speakist requires an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer) running macOS 14 or later. The on-device cleanup stack uses Apple's MLX framework, so Intel Macs are not supported by this release.
Does Speakist work offline?
Yes. The speech-to-text model and local language model download during setup. After that, dictation works without an internet connection. Downloading models and checking for app updates require a connection.
Which languages does Speakist support?
This release is optimized for English. We are focusing on making the on-device English experience excellent before adding more languages.
Will it work in the apps I use?
Almost certainly. Speakist types text wherever your cursor is — Slack, Notion, Mail, Messages, browser inputs, terminal, code editors, even password fields if you really want. There's no per-app integration to install; if the app accepts typing, it accepts Speakist.
Is local dictation really unlimited?
Yes. Transcription runs on hardware you already own, so there is no account, subscription, or per-word charge.
Why hold-to-talk instead of a toggle?
Holding a key means you never accidentally start recording, and you never forget to stop. There's no “am I being listened to?” mode to track. It's the same reason walkie-talkies and intercoms have worked the way they have for a century — your hand is the indicator.
What leaves my Mac?
Your dictation audio, transcript text, vocabulary, history, and usage data stay on your Mac. The app uses the network only to download model files and check for updates.
What about Windows, Linux, or Android?
Mac for now. We're focused on making that experience really good. If you'd like to vote for another platform, email hello@speakist.ai — we read everything.