RegardingWork Voice

Your voice, directly into your work.

Private, on-device push-to-talk dictation for Mac. Click where you want to write, hold fn while you speak, then release to insert your words.

Free for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later. Get the latest build on GitHub Releases.

Built for privacy by default

RegardingWork Dictate is push-to-talk dictation for people who want to stay in their work—without sending speech to a transcription cloud.

On-device transcription

Dictation is processed locally after the speech model is prepared.

No cloud transcription

Audio and transcripts are not sent to a RegardingWork server or third-party transcription service.

No transcript history

Your words are inserted at the cursor without retaining a transcript archive.

No telemetry

The app does not transmit usage analytics or diagnostic events.

How it works

One gesture. Three steps. No separate recorder or copy-paste workflow.

  1. Click where you want to write

    Place the cursor in a standard text field in the app where you are working.

  2. Hold and speak

    Hold the fn or Globe key while you talk. The app listens only during the push-to-talk interaction.

  3. Release to insert

    Release the key. Dictate transcribes on your Mac and inserts the result at the cursor.

Why people use Dictate

Stay in the flow

Capture a thought without opening a separate recorder, moving text between apps, or interrupting your train of thought.

Use one simple gesture

There is no recording dashboard to manage. Hold to talk and release when you are finished.

Keep sensitive work local

Microphone audio is held in memory during dictation, transcription runs locally, and the app does not create a transcript history.

Know when the app is ready

A visible setup window guides permissions and model preparation. Once ready, the waveform icon in the menu bar shows Dictate is running.

Write across your Mac

Use dictation in standard editable text fields across common Mac applications. Secure fields and apps that restrict automated input may not accept insertion.

Suggested use cases

  • Draft messages and email replies
  • Capture notes while reviewing documents
  • Turn rough thoughts into a first draft
  • Write status updates and project summaries
  • Add comments without leaving the current application
  • Reduce repetitive typing during a busy workday

Your words stay yours.

RegardingWork Dictate is built around a local-first data model.

It does not send microphone audio, transcripts, telemetry, or usage events to RegardingWork. Dictated text is inserted into the active application and is not retained by RegardingWork Dictate.

The app needs network access during initial setup to obtain its on-device speech model and may use the network when you intentionally download software updates. Dictation processing itself runs on the Mac after setup.

Note: after text is inserted, the destination app’s own privacy and sync policies apply.

Product requirements

  • Apple silicon Mac
  • macOS 14 or later
  • Microphone permission
  • Accessibility permission for push-to-talk and text insertion
  • Internet connection during initial speech-model setup

FAQ

Does my audio leave my Mac?

No. Microphone audio is processed locally and is not transmitted to RegardingWork or a cloud transcription provider.

Does the app save what I dictate?

No. RegardingWork Dictate does not maintain a transcript history. The transcribed text is inserted into the application you are using, which may have its own storage, synchronization, or privacy behavior.

Is an internet connection required?

An internet connection is needed during initial setup to download the on-device speech model. After the model is prepared, dictation processing runs locally. Intentionally downloading app updates also requires a connection.

Why does it need Microphone and Accessibility access?

Microphone access lets the app hear you while you hold the push-to-talk key. Accessibility access lets it detect that key globally and insert the finished text at your cursor.

Where can I dictate?

RegardingWork Dictate is designed for standard editable text fields in common Mac applications. Password fields, secure inputs, and some applications that restrict automated input may not accept inserted text.

Which Macs are supported?

RegardingWork Dictate supports Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later.

How do I know it is running?

The setup window confirms when the app is ready, and a waveform icon appears in the Mac menu bar. The menu also provides access to setup and diagnostics.

Say it while it is fresh.

Spend less time moving between thought and text. Download RegardingWork Dictate and dictate privately on your Mac.

Download for Mac

Open-source and free to download. Grab the latest release from GitHub Releases, then complete Microphone and Accessibility permissions on first run.

Part of RegardingWork Voice

Dictate inserts speech at your cursor. Need a local record of full meetings instead?