What is Handy?
Handy is a free, open-source speech-to-text app for macOS, Windows and Linux. Press a keyboard shortcut, speak, and the transcription is pasted into whichever text field has focus. Transcription runs entirely on the computer with Whisper, Parakeet or other local models, so no audio is sent to the cloud. The project is kept deliberately small so that people can fork and extend it.
Handy is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- People who want free dictation that never uploads audio
- Dictating on Linux as well as macOS and Windows
- Developers who want a small codebase to fork and extend
Worth knowing
- It transcribes microphone input only and cannot capture system audio from calls or videos.
- There is no live streaming transcription: Handy records a segment, then transcribes it, and recordings work best under 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spoken punctuation commands are not supported, and AI post-processing is an alpha feature that needs your own API key or a local model.
- There are no mobile apps; downloads cover macOS, Windows and Linux.
Key features
- Shortcut-driven dictation
- Press a shortcut to start and stop recording, or hold it for push-to-talk, and the text is pasted into the app you are typing in. Shortcuts can be remapped in settings.
- Local speech models
- Choose from Parakeet, Whisper, Moonshine and other models that run on the device, with GPU acceleration when available. Parakeet V3 covers 25 European languages and Whisper 99+.
- Optional AI post-processing
- An experimental feature runs the transcript through a language model to fix grammar or reformat it, using a cloud provider key, an OpenAI-compatible local endpoint or Apple Intelligence.
- Custom words
- List names and jargon that are often misheard, and Handy corrects similar-sounding words to match. The docs describe this matching as imperfect.
- Transcription history
- Past transcriptions are kept with a timestamp and the original audio, and entries can be copied, starred or deleted. A limit setting controls how many are stored.
- Command-line control
- Flags such as --toggle-transcription and --cancel control a running instance, and --start-hidden launches Handy straight to the system tray.
Handy pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Entirely free and open source under the MIT License, with no subscription or cloud service. The project is supported by sponsors and optional donations.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Handy | $0 | The full app for macOS, Windows and Linux with every local model. Donations and GitHub Sponsors are optional. |
Read from handy.computer on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Handy before you buy.
Works with
Handy alternatives
- Handy vs VoiceInk
Free trial · from $25 one-time
- Handy vs OpenWhispr
Free plan · from $6.67/mo
- Handy vs Superwhisper
Free plan · from $8.49/mo
- Handy vs MacWhisper
Free plan · from €65 one-time
Common questions
Is Handy free?
Yes. Handy is free to use. Entirely free and open source under the MIT License, with no subscription or cloud service. The project is supported by sponsors and optional donations.
How much does Handy cost?
Handy lists one plan. Handy: $0. Prices were read from handy.computer on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does Handy work on?
Handy is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Handy have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Handy is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Handy have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Handy is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Handy open source?
Yes. Handy is open source, according to its own site.
Does Handy work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Handy integrate with?
Handy's listing names Raycast, OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Groq and Cerebras. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Handy?
Handy is made by CJ Pais.
What are the alternatives to Handy?
The closest alternatives to Handy in our directory are VoiceInk, OpenWhispr, Whispering, Superwhisper and MacWhisper. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Handy.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026.