The Talon Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Talon in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Talon
The Insider’s Guide
Hands-free computer control by voice, eye tracking and noises
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among voice dictation apps, read from Talon’s own pages.
Made by Talon Voice, LLC · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Talon’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Talon’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 14 of the 27 other voice dictation apps we grade
Talon is a hands-free input system for macOS, Windows and Linux that lets people write, code and operate a computer with voice commands, dictation, eye tracking and mouth noises. It is aimed first at people with limited or no use of their hands, and is driven by user scripts: commands live in plain .talon files and can be extended in Python. The public release is free, and a Patreon tier gives earlier access to new features.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Talon, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating on record, and this one is configuration files and a terminal.
- 1
Best for working a computer with no hands at all
Talon runs a whole computer hands-free, with voice commands, dictation, eye tracking and mouth noises, built first for people with limited use of their hands.
- 2
Paid plans start at $5 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $5 per month on Patreon; the Talon+ tier is $25 per month.
- 3
There is a free plan
The public release is free to download and use, including the built-in speech recognition engine, eye tracking, noise input and scripting.
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Windows and Linux.
- 5
Voice commands and dictation
Control apps, edit text and dictate by voice. Commands come from user scripts, and the talonhub/community repository supplies a ready-made command set.
- 6
Eye-tracking mouse control
Several algorithms move the pointer by gaze. This depends on a Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or equivalent eye tracker.
- 7
Noise input
A noise recognition system reacts to mouth sounds: by default a pop clicks and a hiss scrolls.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 14 of 27
That is against the other voice dictation apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Talon you would be making dictation that types into any app on your computer. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Talon at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $5 per month on Patreon; the Talon+ tier is $25 per month
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Talon Voice, LLC
- Category
- Voice Dictation
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for working a computer with no hands at all
Talon runs a whole computer hands-free, with voice commands, dictation, eye tracking and mouth noises, built first for people with limited use of their hands. The public release is free. But it recognizes nothing until you add scripts and edit .talon files, eye control needs a separate tracker, Linux needs X11 with no Wayland planned, and the app is closed-source.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | The public release is free to download and use, speech engine included. The Patreon tiers are support, not a paywall: $5 a month gets a Slack channel, Talon+ at $25 gets new features earlier, and you need neither. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free gets you the lot: the built-in speech engine, voice commands, dictation, eye tracking, noise input and Python scripting. Nothing you need day to day sits behind the paid tiers. |
| Features | B | Voice commands and dictation, a pointer you move by looking, a pop to click and a hiss to scroll, your own commands in .talon files and Python past that. It works with Dragon too. More than this category normally asks for, though it ships with no command set of its own. |
| Ease of use | D | No rating on record, and this one is configuration files and a terminal. Talon recognises nothing until you add scripts, and the suggested start is cloning the talonhub/community repository. Then you're editing .talon files to change a command. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | macOS, Windows and Linux, and that's the lot: computers only, no phone app and no API on record. On Linux it needs an X11 session, and Wayland support isn't planned. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Talon is for
- Fits if you have limited or no use of your hands and need the whole computer, not just typing
- Works for programmers who want to code by voice and will script their own commands
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you just want to talk and have text appear, because it needs scripts added before it does anything
- Not for you if you're on Linux with Wayland, as it needs X11 and Wayland isn't planned
- Pricey if you want eye control, since that needs a separate Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or similar tracker
- Watch out: it's closed-source freeware, and earlier access to new features costs $25 a month on Patreon
- Not for you if you want it on a phone, as it's macOS, Windows and Linux only, with no API on record
Good to know
Good for
- People with limited or no use of their hands
- Programmers who want to write code by voice
- Users willing to customize commands with scripts
Worth knowing
- Talon recognizes no commands until scripts are added; the suggested start is cloning the talonhub/community repository.
- Eye-tracking mouse control needs a separate Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or equivalent eye tracker.
- On Linux it requires an X11 session, and Wayland support is not planned.
- The app is closed-source freeware, and earlier access to new features is tied to the $25-a-month Talon+ tier on Patreon.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$5
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Talon has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5 per month on Patreon; the Talon+ tier is $25 per month.
The public release is free to download and use, speech engine included.
Talon
$0
The public release for macOS, Windows and Linux with voice commands, dictation, eye tracking, noise input and Python scripting.
VIP Slack Channel
$5
per month on Patreon, or $51 per year
A supporter tier that adds access to the #vip channel on the Talon Slack.
Talon+
$25
per month on Patreon, or $255 per year
Earlier access to new features and higher-priority support, with invites to the #beta and #vip Slack channels.
Professional
$100
per month on Patreon, or $1,020 per year
For people who depend on Talon for their living and want to help fund it. Includes Talon+ access.
The free plan
The public release is free to download and use, including the built-in speech recognition engine, eye tracking, noise input and scripting.
Read from patreon.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
15% less with annual Patreon billing
Talon+ is $255 a year on Patreon against $25 a month, which is 15% less. The $5 and $100 tiers follow the same ratio at $51 and $1,020 a year.
Stated on patreon.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Hands-free computer control by voice, eye tracking and noises. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: dictation, workflow automation.
More than this category normally asks for, though it ships with no command set of its own.
- Voice commands and dictation
- Control apps, edit text and dictate by voice. Commands come from user scripts, and the talonhub/community repository supplies a ready-made command set.
- Eye-tracking mouse control
- Several algorithms move the pointer by gaze. This depends on a Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or equivalent eye tracker.
- Noise input
- A noise recognition system reacts to mouth sounds: by default a pop clicks and a hiss scrolls.
- Custom commands in .talon files
- Short text files map a spoken phrase to typed text or key presses, such as saying "select all" to send Cmd-A.
- Python scripting
- Behavior can be extended in Python 3 through an embedded interpreter, so no separate Python installation is needed.
- Built-in or Dragon speech engine
- Talon comes with a free speech recognition engine, installed from its Speech Recognition menu, and also works with Dragon without extra setup.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Dragon
- Tobii 4C
- Tobii 5
Talon is made by Talon Voice, LLC.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
14/27
Other voice dictation apps it is graded above
Talon's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 14 of the 27 other voice dictation apps we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 16 of 27) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $5 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 1 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 4 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 28 voice dictation apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Talon’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 15 of 27
- AFree plan and trialAbove 16 of 27
- BFeaturesAbove 11 of 27
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 27
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 5 of 27
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 22 voice dictation apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Talon is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Talon you would be making dictation that types into any app on your computer. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $60 a year.
What you could not
- Dictation that types into any app on your computer.
- Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Talon’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Dragon Professional, Braina, Superwhisper, Wispr Flow and Handy
The 5 tools Talon is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 1.4GPA
Dragon Professional
From $685.99
Windows speech recognition for dictation and voice commands.
- Talon has a free plan. Dragon Professional does not.
- Only Talon lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Talon also covers workflow automation.
- 2.4GPA
Braina
Free plan · from $99/yr
Voice assistant and dictation software for Windows and macOS.
- Only Talon lists a Linux app.
- Braina also covers transcription and chat assistant.
- 2.8GPA
Superwhisper
Free plan · from $8.49/mo
Voice-to-text app with offline models and custom AI modes.
- Only Talon lists a Linux app.
- Only Superwhisper lists iOS and Android apps.
- Superwhisper can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Wispr Flow
Free plan · from $12/mo
Voice dictation that cleans up your speech in any app.
- Only Talon lists a Linux app.
- Only Wispr Flow lists iOS and Android apps.
- Talon also covers workflow automation.
- 3.0GPA
Handy
Free
Free, open-source offline speech-to-text for desktop.
- Handy is open source, according to its own site.
- Talon also covers workflow automation.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Talon free?
Talon has a free plan. The public release is free to download and use, including the built-in speech recognition engine, eye tracking, noise input and scripting.
How much does Talon cost?
Talon lists 4 plans. Talon: $0.
What platforms does Talon work on?
Talon is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Talon offer any discounts?
Talon publicly lists the following: 15% less with annual Patreon billing.
Does Talon have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Talon is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Talon have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Talon is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Talon open source?
Talon is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
What does Talon integrate with?
Talon's listing names Dragon, Tobii 4C and Tobii 5. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Talon?
Talon is made by Talon Voice, LLC.
What are the alternatives to Talon?
The closest alternatives to Talon in our directory are Dragon Professional, Braina, Superwhisper, Wispr Flow and Handy.
How does Talon compare with other voice dictation apps?
Talon's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 14 of the 27 other voice dictation apps we grade, and level with 5.
Is Talon good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Talon A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $5 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 1 of the 16 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Talon?
To replace Talon you would be making dictation that types into any app on your computer.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Talon’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Talon's own site, docs and Patreon page on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-29.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Talon Voice, LLC. Prices change, so check talonvoice.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Talon, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/talon
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Talon: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/talon
Know someone choosing between voice dictation apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/talon/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded voice dictation apps after Talon, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Voice Dictation Insider's GuideEvery one of the 28 voice dictation apps we grade, compared
- OpenWhispr Insider's GuideOpen-source dictation with free local models and meeting notes3.2 GPA
- TypeWhisper Insider's GuideOpen-source dictation with local engines for Mac, Windows and iOS3.2 GPA
- FluidVoice Insider's GuideFree, open-source on-device dictation for macOS3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Talon’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Talon is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Talon Voice, LLC. Prices and plans change: check talonvoice.com before you buy.