On-device transcription · Local-first voice
On-device transcription
for Apple Silicon Macs.
MacParakeet runs speech recognition on your Mac for dictation, files, URLs after download, and meetings. The result is fast local speech to text without a hosted speech API in the core workflow.
macOS 14.2+ · Apple Silicon · Free & GPL-3.0
Local transcript
"Let's capture the action items, keep the source audio local, and send the summary only after we review it."
155x
realtime
ANE
CoreML
98
languages
Local speech to text
Use the Mac you already own.
The Neural Engine changed what local speech apps can do. MacParakeet uses that hardware for private dictation, file transcription, URL transcription, and meeting recording.
System-wide dictation
Press a hotkey, speak, and paste text into any focused Mac app.
Dictation for Mac →File transcription
Drag in audio or video files and create local transcripts with export options.
URL transcription
Paste supported media links, download the audio, then transcribe locally on your Mac.
Transcribe a video URL →Meeting recording
Record microphone plus system audio and transcribe the meeting locally.
Mac meeting recorder →Where on-device transcription fits
The same local speech core supports several workflows.
01
Dictate live
Use hotkey-based voice input anywhere on macOS.
02
Transcribe recordings
Turn files, downloaded media, and meetings into searchable text.
03
Export and automate
Use the app or macparakeet-cli to move transcripts into your workflow.
On-device vs cloud transcription
The choice affects privacy, cost, and reliability.
| Question | MacParakeet | Common alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Audio movement | Stays local for core STT | Uploaded to provider |
| Cost model | No per-minute fee | Often metered |
| Offline use | Works after models are downloaded | Requires network |
| Hardware need | Apple Silicon Mac | Any connected device |
| Best for | Private repeat workflows | Cross-platform hosted teams |
Good local transcription workloads
MacParakeet is strongest when local control is part of the job: sensitive calls, long interviews, recurring team meetings, and transcripts that need to stay portable.
Long recordings
Hours of audio become practical when you are not paying per minute.
Sensitive audio
Private voice content is better processed on hardware you control.
Agent workflows
Use macparakeet-cli on a Mac mini to batch transcribe local media.
Questions & answers
What does on-device transcription mean?
It means speech recognition runs on your Mac rather than sending audio to a cloud speech service.
Does URL transcription count as local?
The media download uses the network because the source is online. After download, speech recognition runs locally on your Mac.
Does this work on Intel Macs?
No. MacParakeet requires Apple Silicon because the default local speech engine uses Apple Neural Engine/CoreML capabilities.
Related MacParakeet pages
Mac meeting recorder
Record meetings on Mac with system audio plus microphone, local transcription, live notes, and no cloud speech upload.
System-wide dictation
Press a hotkey and dictate into any Mac app, fully on-device.
Transcribe a video URL
Paste a YouTube, Loom, Vimeo, or podcast link and transcribe it locally.
98-language transcription
Parakeet plus optional WhisperKit cover 98 languages on your Mac.
Try the local path.
Download MacParakeet, record a meeting, and keep the transcript on your Mac.