The email you've been putting off.
Say the greeting, the message, and the sign-off. Dictate into your email app with free Local mode.
Free, open-source dictation for Mac
Good thoughts.
Fewer keystrokes.
The email, the quick reply, the idea you don't want to lose. Say it naturally. Plainsay puts your words where you're writing.
No account. No subscription. Premium features are optional.
macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon
THE MONDAY PLAN
Let's keep the morning free for the proposal. We can catch up after lunch.
Illustrative example. No microphone needed.
A native Mac appMIT-licensed Mac appSigned & notarizedNo analytics in the Mac client
Fits into your day
Write where
you already work.
You don't need another place to put your thoughts. Just click a text field in the app you're using.
- 01
Press your dictation key.
Hold to talk, or tap to start and stop. Choose the key that feels right.
- 02
Say what you mean.
A quick message or a longer thought. Optional Polishing tidies filler and punctuation.
- 03
Carry on.
Your text lands at the cursor. If an app can't accept it, Plainsay keeps it on the clipboard for you.
Useful in the ordinary moments
From a thought to a finished message.
The idea you don't want to lose.
Talk through a thought in your notes app. Local speech recognition runs on your Mac, without an account or subscription.
The names you say every day.
Add people, projects, and product names to your vocabulary. History and voice filtering are included in the free app too.
Free to use. Optional extras.
Free comes first.
Premium is optional.
Local is a complete, free dictation app. You never need to upgrade to keep dictating. Cloud is an optional paid service for hosted transcription, Polishing, and translation.
KEEP SPEECH ON YOUR MAC
Plainsay Local
Free
For everyday dictation, with your audio staying on your Mac.
- Unlimited local dictation
- Whisper or Parakeet speech models
- No account or subscription
- History, vocabulary, and voice filtering
Requires a one-time speech-model download. Optional hosted Polishing sends transcript text to its provider.
OPTIONAL PREMIUM SERVICE
Plainsay Cloud
US$4 / month
Billed monthly. VAT included.
- Hosted transcription and Polishing
- No speech-model download or API keys
- Auto-translate and email formatting
- 900 transcription minutes per rolling 30 days
Audio and transcript text are processed by the Cloud service. Selected-text AI rewrites currently require your own provider.
Already have an AI provider? Bring your own key in Settings. Provider charges apply. See how providers work →
Getting started with Cloud
Subscriptions are set up inside the Mac app, so your purchase is connected to your Plainsay account.
- Download and open Plainsay.
- Choose Plainsay Cloud in Setup, or Settings → Speech, then sign in.
- Choose the monthly or annual subscription. Review your total in Stripe before paying.
Already subscribed? Sign in with the same account in the app. Manage your subscription from Cloud settings.
Looking at other dictation apps?
Find the right fit for your Mac.
Compare free options, paid extras, and how your speech is processed.
- Plainsay vs Wispr FlowFree local dictation, or a broader cloud workflow?
- Plainsay vs SuperwhisperA focused free app, or more configurable modes?
- Plainsay vs VoiceInkTwo open-source approaches to Mac dictation.
- Plainsay vs MacWhisperChoose by the work in front of you.
- Plainsay vs Apple DictationTry the built-in option. Add more control if you need it.
A few things
you might wonder.
Is it really free, or just a trial?
Local mode is free, with no subscription and no word or minute quotas. You don't need an account or a payment card. Cloud is optional—you can keep using Local without buying premium features.
Is Plainsay open source?
Yes. The Mac client is MIT-licensed. You can read the source, build it yourself, or contribute. Third-party models and components have their own licenses. The optional hosted Cloud service is separate and is not open source.
Can I use it completely offline?
Yes. Download a local speech model, then turn Polishing off or use a compatible local provider. Local speech recognition runs on your Mac. Cloud and hosted providers need an internet connection.
What leaves my Mac?
Local transcription keeps recorded audio on your Mac. Cloud sends audio for transcription and text for Polishing. Your own providers receive the data needed for the features you enable. The Mac client sends no analytics; automatic update checks can be disabled. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work in every app?
Plainsay works with many native Mac apps, browsers, and desktop tools. Some fields don't support reliable insertion or selection replacement. In those cases, copy the result and paste it yourself.
What does Cloud add?
Hosted speech recognition and Polishing, plus translation and email layout. You don't need to download a transcription model or configure provider keys. Cloud includes 900 transcription minutes in any rolling 30-day window. Local dictation remains unmetered.
Is Voice Edit included with Cloud?
Simple last-dictation replace and undo commands work locally with any speech service. Broader AI rewrites and selected-text Voice Edit currently need Gemini, Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, or a compatible custom provider configured in Polishing. A Cloud subscription alone does not enable those rewrites.
Give your keyboard a moment off.
Your next message
starts with your voice.
Download Plainsay free ↓Free and open source. No subscription required.
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