Free trial
A free 7-day trial is available with the macOS download. No account is required to try the app.
Learn moreHoldSpeak
Private offline dictation for Mac that types in any app
Beginner
What is HoldSpeak?
HoldSpeak is a native Mac dictation app that transcribes speech on-device and inserts text at the cursor in any app. It works offline, needs no account, supports 100+ languages, and is sold as a one-time license rather than a subscription.
HoldSpeak is a Mac dictation utility that turns speech into text directly at the cursor. Rather than opening a separate transcription window, it runs in the menu bar: a global hotkey starts recording, and the transcribed words are inserted into whichever app currently has focus. That includes chat tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, code editors like VS Code and Xcode, terminal apps, browsers, email clients, and document editors. The stated goal is to let people write at the speed they speak, with the homepage comparing typical keyboard speed to voice input. The defining design choice is that everything runs on the Mac. Recording and transcription are handled by a model on the device, with no cloud processing and no account required. That makes HoldSpeak usable offline, on a plane or with no signal, and it means voice audio is not uploaded to any service. The app is a native build for Apple Silicon running macOS 14.6 or later, with a 12 MB download and a small idle footprint. It recognizes more than 100 languages and detects the spoken language automatically, and punctuation and sentence breaks are handled without manual input. In daily use, HoldSpeak fits into existing habits rather than replacing them. A user sets a hotkey, speaks, and continues working in the same window. A personal dictionary covers names, product terms, and jargon that general models tend to misspell. Settings let the hotkey and transcription behavior be adjusted. Because the words land at the cursor in any text field, no per-app plugins are needed. HoldSpeak is aimed at Mac users who write a lot and want a low-friction, private alternative to cloud dictation services. Its pricing model differs from the subscription approach used by many competitors: a one-time license purchase with lifetime access and an included year of updates. It is not a meeting recorder or a transcript archive, and it is Mac only.
How do you use HoldSpeak?
1Check your Mac meets the requirements
Confirm the Mac has Apple Silicon and macOS 14.6 or later, since HoldSpeak is built only for that configuration.
2Download and install the app
Get HoldSpeak from the official download page. The installer is small, around 12 MB.3Grant microphone and accessibility permissions
On first launch, approve the microphone and accessibility prompts so the app can hear speech and insert text into other applications.4Set your hotkey and transcription behavior
Open settings to choose the global hotkey and adjust how transcription behaves, then save the configuration.5Add your personal dictionary
Enter names, product terms, and specialized vocabulary so they are spelled correctly in every app.6Run the trial, then buy a license
Use the free 7-day trial, then purchase a one-time license for 1, 2, or 3 Macs to keep unlimited transcription.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Transcription runs entirely on the Mac, so audio is never uploadedAI
- Works offline and without an account or loginAI
- Inserts text at the cursor in any app, with no plugins requiredAI
- One-time license pricing with unlimited transcriptionAI
- Automatic language detection across 100+ languagesAI
Cons
- Mac only, so Windows, Linux, and mobile users are excludedAI
- Requires Apple Silicon and macOS 14.6 or laterAI
- The license includes only one year of updates unless renewedAI
- No meeting recording, speaker labels, or transcript libraryAI
- No API or integration surface beyond typing into focused appsAI
How much does HoldSpeak cost?
Pricing
One-time license purchase with no subscription. A 1 Mac license is $19, 2 Macs cost $29, and 3 Macs cost $39. Each license includes lifetime access, unlimited transcription, all features, and one year of updates. An optional renewal for another year of updates is available at a discount; users can also keep the current version indefinitely.
Learn moreIntegrations
HoldSpeak does not use plugins; it types into whichever app has focus, including ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Xcode, Zed, iTerm, Safari, Figma, Slack, Discord, Word, Excel, and Obsidian.
Features
On-device transcription with no cloud processing, no account, and offline use. A global hotkey inserts text at the cursor in any Mac app, with automatic punctuation and language detection for 100+ languages. A personal dictionary handles custom names and terms. The app is a native menu bar utility for Apple Silicon with a 12 MB download and low memory use.
Frequently asked questions about HoldSpeak
How much does HoldSpeak cost?
One-time license purchase with no subscription. A 1 Mac license is $19, 2 Macs cost $29, and 3 Macs cost $39. Each license includes lifetime access, unlimited transcription, all features, and one year of updates. An optional renewal for another year of updates is available at a discount; users can also keep the current version indefinitely.Does HoldSpeak offer a free trial?
A free 7-day trial is available with the macOS download. No account is required to try the app.How do you use HoldSpeak?
The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Check your Mac meets the requirements 2. Download and install the app 3. Grant microphone and accessibility permissions 4. Set your hotkey and transcription behavior 5. Add your personal dictionary 6. Run the trial, then buy a license.What platforms does HoldSpeak support?
HoldSpeak is available on MacOS.What does HoldSpeak integrate with?
HoldSpeak does not use plugins; it types into whichever app has focus, including ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Xcode, Zed, iTerm, Safari, Figma, Slack, Discord, Word, Excel, and Obsidian.What are the limitations of HoldSpeak?
Mac only, so Windows, Linux, and mobile users are excluded. Requires Apple Silicon and macOS 14.6 or later. The license includes only one year of updates unless renewed.
Status
StatusActive
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Added10/22/2026
Platforms
MacOS
Pricing
Free TrialPaid
