Use case

Whisper dictation on your Mac

Whisper dictation on your Mac runs with no server in the loop. oto runs Whisper models locally through WhisperKit, and also bundles Parakeet v3, so you pick the engine per mode. Choose Whisper for language breadth, or Parakeet for fast, English-focused dictation, and keep every word on the machine either way.

$8 once offline by default no account
Whisper, done right

The model you wanted, without the API bill.

If you searched for Whisper by name, you already know why it's good. oto's job is making it feel like a native Mac feature instead of a science project.

100+ languages with Whisper

Dictate in over a hundred languages with automatic language detection, or speak any of them and have Whisper translate your speech straight into English text.

Parakeet v3, built for dictation

Parakeet v3 is bundled and fast, tuned for everyday English dictation. Long-form meeting recording runs on it by default, and you can switch engines in Settings anytime.

Pick the model for the moment

Choose smaller Whisper models when you want speed, larger ones when you want maximum accuracy. Switch inside the app whenever the job changes.

How it works

From model to text in three steps.

1. Choose your Whisper model

Pick a model size in oto's settings: lighter for snappy dictation, heavier for accuracy on tricky audio.

2. Hit the hotkey and speak

Whisper transcribes on your Mac as you talk, in any language it knows, and it knows a lot of them.

3. Text lands where you need it

The transcription pastes at your cursor and lives in your searchable history, exportable as plain text, Markdown, or JSON.

What it is, and isn't

Whisper and Parakeet are two of up to three local engines in oto, alongside Apple's on-device speech engine, and you can switch freely. Two honest details: the 100+ language count is specific to Whisper, and translation goes one way, speech into English text, not between arbitrary languages.

Common questions

The Whisper fine print.

Whisper or Parakeet, which should I use?

Whisper if you need language breadth or speech-to-English translation. Parakeet if you're dictating in English and want speed, it's the engine behind long-form meeting recording. You can switch anytime in Settings, and both run on-device.

Can it translate what I say?

Yes, into English: speak in any language Whisper supports and get English text back. It's speech-to-English translation, not a general-purpose translator.

Whisper, minus the cloud.

One $8 purchase gets you Whisper on your own hardware, plus two more local engines when you want them.

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