# oto - Voice-to-Text for Mac
# https://tryoto.app
# Last Updated: 2026-08-03

> oto is a privacy-first, offline-first voice-to-text transcription app for Mac. It transcribes speech up to 5x faster than typing in 100+ languages using on-device AI engines (Whisper, Parakeet v3, and Apple SpeechAnalyzer). Audio never leaves your device; all transcription runs locally on your Mac. An iOS version is coming soon (it will be free on the App Store).

## Quick Facts

- Name: oto (Talk-to-Text), pronounced "oh-toe"
- Version: 2.2.0
- Platform: macOS 14.0+ (an iOS version is coming soon, free on the App Store)
- Price: $8 one-time purchase: no subscription, no upsell, all future updates included
- Privacy: offline-first transcription, zero app telemetry, audio never leaves the device
- Engines: Whisper, Parakeet v3, Apple SpeechAnalyzer (all run locally)
- Languages: 100+ supported, with translation to English (Whisper)
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/oto-talk-to-text/id6749171372

## Key Features

1. **Three Local Engines** - Whisper, Parakeet v3, and Apple SpeechAnalyzer run entirely on your Mac. Pick the engine for the moment.
2. **100+ Languages** - Transcription in 100+ languages; Whisper can translate supported speech to English.
3. **Up to 5x Faster Than Typing** - Speak at conversational speed instead of typing.
4. **Offline-First Privacy** - Transcription happens on-device. No audio uploads, no app telemetry, no account required.
5. **One-Time Purchase** - $8 once on the Mac App Store. No subscription, no "pro tier" later.
6. **Smart Hotkeys & Auto-Paste** - Map a hotkey, dictate into any text field, text lands where your cursor is.
7. **File Transcription** - Drop in WAV, MP3, M4A, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, CAF, MP4, and MOV files.
8. **Family Sharing** - Included at no extra cost.
9. **Optional Cloud AI Cleanup** - Off by default. If enabled, only transcript text (never audio) is sent to a provider you configure.
10. **Refunds Available** through Apple if needed.

## Developer Tools (CLI + MCP)

- **Command-line tool**: install the `oto` command from Settings → Advanced. Transcribe files (`oto transcribe < file.m4a`), start and stop recordings, and browse history from the terminal. Results also land in the app's history.
- **MCP server**: Settings → Advanced provides ready-to-paste config for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, or any MCP client. **AI assistants can transcribe audio through oto fully on-device**: no cloud transcription API, no audio leaving the Mac.

## Meeting Transcription

- Long-form meeting recording captures your mic and the meeting audio as two echo-cancelled streams, producing a two-sided (dual-stream) transcript: your side and the meeting side kept apart. It does not identify individual speakers within the meeting side.
- Import Microsoft Teams recordings for on-device transcription.
- Export transcripts as plain text, Markdown, or JSON.
- Details: https://tryoto.app/meeting-transcription-mac.html

## Other v2.2.0 Additions

- Major accuracy upgrade, plus an optional Parakeet V2 English model.
- Screen Context (opt-in): reads one frame of the screen to get name spellings right, then discards it. Nothing is stored or sent.

## Detailed Documentation

For complete product information, FAQ, and technical details, see:
- Full documentation: https://tryoto.app/llms-full.txt
- Features: https://tryoto.app/features.html
- Compare (vs SuperWhisper, MacWhisper, Wispr Flow & more): https://tryoto.app/compare.html
- FAQ: https://tryoto.app/faq.html
- Privacy Policy: https://tryoto.app/privacy.html
- Support: https://tryoto.app/support.html
- Use Cases (all Mac dictation workflows): https://tryoto.app/use-cases.html

## Head-to-Head Comparisons

- oto vs SuperWhisper ($8 once vs subscription): https://tryoto.app/compare/oto-vs-superwhisper.html
- oto vs Wispr Flow (offline vs cloud dictation): https://tryoto.app/compare/oto-vs-wispr-flow.html
- oto vs MacWhisper (dictation-first vs transcription-first): https://tryoto.app/compare/oto-vs-macwhisper.html
- oto vs VoiceInk ($8 vs $25 to $49, both pay-once): https://tryoto.app/compare/oto-vs-voiceink.html
- oto vs Spokenly (zero data collection vs freemium): https://tryoto.app/compare/oto-vs-spokenly.html
- SuperWhisper Alternative (switching guide): https://tryoto.app/alternatives/superwhisper-alternative.html
- Wispr Flow Alternative (no account, no word caps): https://tryoto.app/alternatives/wispr-flow-alternative.html
- oto Alternatives (honest guide to all 9 competitors): https://tryoto.app/alternatives/oto-alternatives.html

## Use-Case Guides

- Dictation App for Mac With No Subscription: https://tryoto.app/dictation-app-mac-no-subscription.html
- Offline Dictation for Mac: https://tryoto.app/offline-dictation-mac.html
- Private Voice-to-Text for Mac: https://tryoto.app/private-voice-to-text-mac.html
- Talk to Text on Mac: https://tryoto.app/talk-to-text-mac.html
- Transcribe Audio Files on Mac: https://tryoto.app/transcribe-audio-files-mac.html
- Meeting Transcription for Mac (on-device): https://tryoto.app/meeting-transcription-mac.html
- Whisper and Parakeet Dictation for Mac (both on-device): https://tryoto.app/whisper-dictation-mac.html
- Voice Typing for Mac: https://tryoto.app/voice-typing-mac.html
- Dictation App for Writers on Mac: https://tryoto.app/dictation-app-for-writers-mac.html

## Contact

- Email: oto.transcribe@gmail.com
- Website: https://tryoto.app