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Whispering

Open-source dictation app that uses your own models or API keys

FreeDictationChecked Oct 6, 2026
Visit epicenter.so

What is Whispering?

Whispering is a free, open-source speech-to-text app from the Epicenter project. Press a keyboard shortcut, speak, and the transcript is copied and pasted at the cursor. Transcription runs through a provider you choose: on-device engines for offline use, or cloud services such as Groq, OpenAI and ElevenLabs reached directly with your own API keys. Optional transformations pass the transcript through a language model to fix grammar, translate or reformat it.

Whispering is free to use. See every plan

Good for

  • People who want dictation software whose code they can audit
  • Users willing to add their own API keys and pay providers directly
  • Offline dictation with on-device models on Mac and Linux

Worth knowing

  • Cloud transcription and AI transformations need your own provider API keys, and the provider bills the usage.
  • The macOS download is for Apple Silicon only, and Windows builds include just the English-only Parakeet engine for local transcription.
  • It is built for short dictation; the site suggests a dedicated recording app for long sessions.
  • The browser version has no system-wide shortcuts, and the project's README on GitHub says the hosted web build is no longer being republished.

Key features

Shortcut-driven dictation
Press a keyboard shortcut, speak, and the text is copied and pasted where the cursor is. The recording shortcut can be changed in settings.
Voice-activated mode
With voice activity detection turned on, recording starts when you begin speaking and stops after a short pause, so no key has to be held.
Cloud providers with your own keys
Audio goes straight from the device to Groq, OpenAI or ElevenLabs under your own API key, with no Whispering server in between. Groq also has a free tier.
Local transcription engines
Version 7.11.0 bundles Parakeet, Moonshine and Whisper C++ for on-device transcription, with Whisper C++ covering 65 languages. Speaches, a local transcription service, is also supported.
AI transformations
Chain steps that send the transcript to a model from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Groq or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, or run find-and-replace, to fix grammar, translate or summarize.
Recordings stored on the device
Recordings, transcripts and transformation settings are kept locally. Anonymized usage analytics are collected through Aptabase and can be switched off in settings.

Whispering pricing

Starts at
Free
Free plan
The app is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. Local transcription costs nothing; cloud transcription is billed by the provider whose API key you add.
Free trial
None listed
Whispering$0The full desktop and browser app. Cloud providers bill usage to your own API key: the site lists Groq at $0.02 to $0.04 per hour of audio.

Read from epicenter.so on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Whispering before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Works with

Whispering alternatives

All Whispering alternatives comparedAll voice dictation apps

Common questions

Is Whispering free?

Yes. Whispering is free to use. The app is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. Local transcription costs nothing; cloud transcription is billed by the provider whose API key you add.

How much does Whispering cost?

Whispering lists one plan. Whispering: $0. Prices were read from epicenter.so on Oct 6, 2026.

What platforms does Whispering work on?

Whispering is available on Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.

Does Whispering have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Whispering is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.

Does Whispering have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Whispering is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.

Is Whispering open source?

Yes. Whispering is open source, according to its own site.

Does Whispering 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 Whispering integrate with?

Whispering's listing names Groq, OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Speaches, Anthropic, Google Gemini, Ollama and LM Studio. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes Whispering?

Whispering is made by Epicenter.

What are the alternatives to Whispering?

The closest alternatives to Whispering in our directory are Handy, OpenWhispr, VoiceInk, Superwhisper and Wispr Flow. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Whispering.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.