Dictato
Dictato is a private, instant voice-to-text dictation app for Mac that enables real-time speech-to-text conversion across all applications with near-instant transcription and complete privacy.
https://dicta.to/?ref=producthunt
Product Information
Updated:Feb 28, 2026
What is Dictato
Dictato is a macOS application designed for writers, developers, and professionals who want to convert their speech to text efficiently. It's a menu bar-based tool that works exclusively on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later, offering a one-time purchase model at $9.99 with no subscription required. The app supports over 25 languages with automatic detection and provides users with three different transcription engines: Whisper, Parakeet, and Apple.
Key Features of Dictato
Dictato is a private voice-to-text dictation app for Mac that offers real-time speech transcription with 80ms latency using three different engines (Whisper, Parakeet, and Apple). It works 100% on-device without cloud connectivity, supports 25+ languages with automatic detection, and integrates with any Mac application. The app is available for a one-time payment of $9.99 with no subscription fees, requiring macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon.
Real-time Transcription: Offers near-instant transcription with 80ms latency, allowing users to see text appear as they speak
Multiple Engine Options: Features three different transcription engines (Whisper, Parakeet, Apple) with support for 25+ languages and automatic language detection
Universal App Integration: Works with any macOS application where text input is possible, including email clients, word processors, code editors, and messaging apps
Privacy-First Design: Processes all audio locally on-device with no cloud connection, ensuring complete data privacy and offline functionality
Use Cases of Dictato
Legal Documentation: Lawyers can dictate confidential notes and documents while maintaining client privilege due to the private, on-device processing
Medical Record Keeping: Healthcare professionals can quickly document patient information in compliance with HIPAA requirements
Content Creation: Writers and journalists can capture thoughts and draft content at speaking speed (150 WPM) instead of typing speed (40 WPM)
Programming Documentation: Developers can efficiently document code and write comments using voice input in their preferred code editor
Pros
Complete privacy with 100% on-device processing
One-time payment with no subscription fees
No timeout limit unlike Apple's 60-second restriction
Works with any Mac application
Cons
Requires macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon hardware
Significant storage space needed for engine models (up to 2.3GB)
Limited to 2 years of updates with initial purchase
How to Use Dictato
Download and Install: Download Dictato from the official site (dicta.to). It requires macOS 14+ and an Apple Silicon Mac. Start with the 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
Initial Setup: After installation, Dictato will appear in your Mac's menu bar. The app will need to download the transcription engine models (Parakeet ~2.3GB or Whisper ~600MB) to work offline.
Configure Hotkey: Set up a global keyboard shortcut (hotkey) that you'll use to activate dictation. This can be accessed through Dictato's menu bar settings.
Choose Engine: Select your preferred transcription engine from the three options: Parakeet (recommended for European languages), Whisper (supports 99 languages), or Apple SpeechAnalyzer.
Position Cursor: Open any app where you want to dictate text and place your cursor where you want the text to appear.
Start Dictating: Press and hold your configured hotkey, speak clearly into your microphone, and watch as text appears in real-time with about 80ms latency.
Stop Dictation: Release the hotkey when you're done speaking. The transcribed text will be automatically inserted at your cursor position.
Edit if Needed: Review and edit the transcribed text as needed, as like any transcription tool, it may not be 100% accurate.
Dictato FAQs
Dictato is a voice-to-text dictation app for Mac that lives in your menu bar. You configure a global hotkey - press and hold it, speak, then release. Your speech is transcribed in real time and text appears instantly wherever your cursor is, in any application, with latency as low as 80ms.
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