Open-source dictation apps that run on your computer
By the Toolbay team · Updated
Paid dictation apps send your voice to a server and meter how much you talk. Open-source ones run a speech model on your own computer, so there is nothing to meter and your voice stays put. These four are actively maintained (all pushed code in the last week) and ship installers you can use today.
The four, side by side
| Feature | Toolbay Flow | Handy | OpenWhispr | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| GitHub stars | New (Oct 2026) | ~34,800 | ~10,000 | ~6,900 |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Mac |
| Engine | whisper.cpp + local Qwen3 cleanup | Local speech models | Local Parakeet/Whisper, or cloud with your key | Local models |
| Best for | Closest to Wispr Flow: cleanup, styles per app, dictionary that learns, snippets, command mode | Simplest offline app, biggest community | Mixing local and cloud models, plus notes and meeting transcription | Mac-only users who don't mind paying for the prebuilt app |
| Code | sriptcollector/toolbay-flow | cjpais/Handy | OpenWhispr/openwhispr | Beingpax/VoiceInk |
Why AI cleanup matters
A raw transcript of natural speech is full of “um”, “so basically” and restarts. Cleanup is a second, small language model that turns that into the sentence you meant. Toolbay Flow runs it locally on every dictation with four levels (Off, Light, Standard, Polished) and applies spoken corrections: say “Tuesday, no, Wednesday” and you get “Wednesday”. Handy and OpenWhispr offer optional post-processing you switch on.
How to choose
- You want Wispr Flow, free: Toolbay Flow.
- You want the most battle-tested option or use Linux: Handy.
- You want to mix local and cloud models: OpenWhispr.
- Mac only, and you're happy to pay the developer: VoiceInk.
On a Mac? See free voice to text on Mac. On Windows? free dictation software for Windows.
Questions people ask
- Is there an open-source version of Wispr Flow?
- Wispr Flow itself is closed source. Toolbay Flow is an open-source (MIT) app built to work the same way, and Handy, OpenWhispr and VoiceInk are other open-source voice-to-text apps.
- Are open-source dictation apps really free?
- The code is. Toolbay Flow, Handy and OpenWhispr also give away ready-made installers. VoiceInk's source is free under the GPL, but its developer sells a license for the prebuilt app.
- Which speech model do these apps use?
- Mostly OpenAI's open Whisper models (often through whisper.cpp) and, in some apps, NVIDIA's Parakeet. Both run on your own computer; a GPU makes them much faster.
Related
- Free Wispr Flow alternativeToolbay Flow vs Wispr Flow: free, unlimited, offline
- Toolbay Flow vs Wispr FlowFeature by feature: shortcuts, cleanup, privacy, price
- Free voice to text on MacApple Dictation, Toolbay Flow and open-source picks
- Free dictation software for WindowsWin+H, Voice Access and free hold-to-talk apps
- Offline speech to text on WindowsThree free ways to dictate without the internet
- How to voice type on a PCWin+H, Voice Access or a free hold-to-talk hotkey
Wispr Flow is a trademark of Wispr. Toolbay's tools are independent open-source projects, inspired by Wispr Flow, and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Wispr.