A local Wispr Flow alternative for Mac
If you want Mac dictation without a transcription subscription, Tinta is worth a try. Hold a hotkey, speak, and insert the text where you are writing. You can also transcribe recordings without uploading them.
Full features for 3 days. No account or card. Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 14 or later.
Choose the trade-off that suits your work
Choose Tinta for local transcription
Your Mac does the speech recognition. Tinta turns speech into text without an AI rewriting layer, and it can transcribe an audio or video file into TXT, Markdown, or SRT. You pay once for the app.
Choose Flow for AI editing across devices
Flow adds AI cleanup, formatting, and vocabulary learning, with apps for desktop and mobile. It also offers meeting-note workflows. Its free plan may be enough if you only dictate occasionally.
What changes when you switch?
| What matters | Tinta Voice | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Speech recognition | Runs on your Mac after model setup | Requires an internet connection |
| Your words | Transcription without AI rewriting | AI cleanup, formatting, and editing |
| Price | $19.99 once at the current launch price | Free plan; Pro is $15/month, or $12/month billed annually |
| Devices | Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 14 or later | Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android |
| Try it | 3-day full trial, no account or card | Free plan; sign-in required |
Flow has controls for model training and cloud storage. Using a cloud service does not by itself mean every recording is retained or used for training. Check its current settings against your requirements.
Before you download
Does Tinta work offline?
Internet is needed to download the speech model and activate a purchased license. Speech recognition then runs locally. In the current release, a paid license also needs an online check at least once every 30 days.
Will it rewrite or clean up what I say?
No. Tinta transcribes without an AI rewriting layer. Speech recognition can still make mistakes, so review names, numbers, and any text you plan to send. Choose Flow if automatic rewriting is central to your workflow.
Will dictation work in my apps?
Tinta inserts text into the active field. If an app blocks insertion, it shows a copy card so you can paste the text yourself. Try the apps you use every day during the trial.
Can I transcribe a recording I already have?
Yes. Import an audio or video file, choose the language, and transcribe it locally. You can include timestamps and export TXT, Markdown, or SRT. See the file transcription workflow.
How do I compare accuracy?
Use your own voice, microphone, and recordings. Language, background noise, and speaking style all affect the result. If you buy Tinta and it does not fit your work, you can request a refund within 14 days through the link in your Lemon Squeezy receipt.
Try it on something you need to write
Dictate an email or a note. Transcribe a recording you have been putting off. Use the full trial to see whether local transcription fits your work.
Wispr features and prices checked on September 7, 2026 against official pricing and product documentation. Plans can change. Any applicable tax is shown at checkout.