Switch from Superwhisper to free, open-source dictation
Superwhisper’s free plan limits local dictation to Whisper. Muesli gives you 7+ local ASR models optimized for Apple Silicon, with choices for speed, accuracy and the languages you actually speak. Free, with open-source application code.
Updated
We want speaking to your Mac to feel as ordinary as typing. Open a draft, hold a key, say what you mean. Muesli puts the text at your cursor. When a meeting starts, use the same app to capture the conversation and keep a transcript.
Why we built a free alternative
Superwhisper’s ongoing free plan offers only Whisper for local dictation. Parakeet and Cohere Transcribe require Pro after the trial. We give you 7+ local ASR models in the free Muesli app: Parakeet, Whisper, Qwen3 ASR, Cohere Transcribe, Nemotron, SenseVoice and Bodhan. Pick for speed, accuracy, language support and the memory available on your Mac. Switching models should be part of finding your setup.
Download a local speech model in Muesli and start dictating. Use local cleanup or turn cleanup off to work offline. If you prefer a hosted model, that is your choice: hosted dictation sends audio, and hosted cleanup sends text to the provider you select. External providers may charge for their service.
Hinglish mein bolte ho? Aise hi likho.
Try saying: “Kal ki meeting ke action items mujhe Slack pe bhej do.” That is how plenty of us speak at work. We want Muesli to work with that, too.
Choose Bodhan Flex and select Romanized output to write Indic speech in Latin letters. Prefer the original script? Choose Native. Want Indic script alongside English terms? Choose Mixed. These output modes run locally on Apple Silicon with macOS 15 or later. Your language deserves a place in your dictation app.
What you are switching to
Give your keyboard a break
Install Muesli on an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.2 or later. Download a model, finish the guided permissions setup, and open the email you have been putting off. Hold your hotkey, speak the first paragraph, and release. Your words land in the draft.
Use it for a message, a bug report, or a prompt for your coding agent. Check the text before sending, just as you would a typed draft. Some models need newer macOS versions; choose one supported by your Mac.
Keep the conversation after the call
Muesli captures your microphone and system audio, transcribes locally, and lets you export notes or the full transcript as Markdown or PDF. Meeting transcription is included in the free app. Superwhisper also offers meetings, with access tied to its current plan.
Let participants know you are recording. After the call, read the transcript or generate notes with your chosen provider. Hosted summaries send meeting content to that provider. Optional iCloud sync carries text and sync metadata, never audio.
Built for the way you work
Inspect the app
The application code is public and MIT-licensed. See how it works, report a bug, or build on it.
Keep ordinary files
Your meeting transcript can live beside your project files. Export Markdown or PDF and keep working.
Speak your language
Use Bodhan Flex for Indic speech with Native, Mixed or Romanized output. Choose the script you want to read.
Where should I go next if I care about local meeting transcription?
On-device dictation
Setup, model tradeoffs and local versus hosted processing.
Offline dictation guide
Prepare your Mac before working without a connection.
Meeting notes
Use the same app to capture and review a call.
Superwhisper alternative questions
Does Superwhisper work offline?
Yes. Its ongoing free plan includes local Whisper models; Parakeet and Cohere Transcribe require Pro after the trial. Muesli gives you 7+ local ASR models in the free app, including options for Indic speech and romanized output.
Can both apps transcribe meetings?
Yes. Both offer meeting features. Check Superwhisper’s current plan limits. Muesli includes local meeting transcription and Markdown or PDF export.
Does Muesli always keep data on the Mac?
Local models process speech on the Mac. Optional hosted dictation sends audio, hosted cleanup sends text, and hosted summaries send meeting content. Optional iCloud sync transfers text and sync metadata.