Offline dictation apps for Mac: what works without internet.
Muesli, Superwhisper, and VoiceInk offer local speech models for Mac dictation. Apple Dictation can also process general dictation on-device in supported configurations. Check transcription and text cleanup separately when choosing an offline setup.
Updated
Written by the Muesli team from product documentation checked September 9, 2026. The test below is a procedure you can run; no comparative speed or accuracy results are claimed.
Which parts of each app work offline?
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| App | Offline transcription | Setup and cost to check |
|---|---|---|
| Muesli | Yes, using a downloaded local model. Local cleanup is optional. | Free Mac app. Download models first; hosted summaries and sync need a network. |
| Superwhisper | Yes, with a local voice model. Configure language processing separately. | Check current model access in the app. Published Pro options: $8.49/month, $84.99/year, $249.99 lifetime. |
| VoiceInk | Yes, with local models. Hosted transcription and enhancement are optional. | One-Mac Solo license shown at $25. Requires Apple Silicon and macOS 14.4+. |
| Apple Dictation | Depends on language and setup. Check the notice in System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation. | Included with macOS. Follow Apple’s instructions for your language and Mac. |
| Wispr Flow | No. Its documentation requires internet for voice transcription. | Included here to distinguish it from apps offering offline recognition. |
How to choose an offline setup
Start with Apple Dictation if you want to try the built-in option. Choose Muesli if you want a free app with model selection, a personal dictionary, and local meeting transcription. Compare Superwhisper’s modes or VoiceInk’s local and hosted provider controls if those fit your writing workflow.
Keep language support in view. Muesli’s Parakeet v3 supports 25 languages; Parakeet v2 is English-only. Whisper offers other language and model-size choices. Check the specific model card before downloading.
Run a five-minute offline check
Prepare while connected
Install the app, download its speech model, and run one dictation. Download any local cleanup model you intend to use.
Choose local processing
Select a local speech model. Disable hosted cleanup or choose a local cleanup model. Note your app version, macOS version, Mac chip, and model name.
Disconnect the network
Turn off Wi-Fi and disconnect any wired connection. Open Notes or another local text editor.
Dictate three samples
Try a short message, a paragraph, and names or technical terms you use at work. Check that text appears without a connection.
Check the result and repeat
Count corrections and note time until usable text appears. Quit and reopen the app while offline, then repeat. This also checks whether the model remains available after a restart.
Use a sample with details you can check
Read the sentence below and compare the names, time, and number in the output. Replace the names with vocabulary from your work. This is a test prompt, not a sample generated by a speech model.
Please ask Priya to review the CoreML notes by 10:30 tomorrow. We need three examples before the meeting.What still needs a connection?
Model downloads and app updates need internet. In Muesli, cloud summaries, calendar sync, and optional iCloud text sync use the network too. You can keep these separate from local dictation.
A successful offline test checks whether your chosen workflow works without a connection. It does not establish what the app sends when you reconnect. Read the provider and sync settings for the features you enable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best offline dictation app for Mac?
Choose based on language support, correction effort, price, and workflow. Muesli offers free local dictation and meeting capture. Superwhisper and VoiceInk provide other local model workflows. Apple Dictation is included with macOS.
Does offline dictation work before I download a model?
Apps with downloadable local speech models need those files installed first. Complete setup and a successful test while connected before relying on offline use.
Why does an offline model still wait for internet?
A separate cleanup or formatting feature may use a cloud provider. Check both recognition and post-processing settings, then repeat the test in a local text editor.
Can I use Muesli on a flight?
Local dictation can work after model setup. Prepare the app and models before traveling, and test the exact settings you plan to use with the network disconnected.