By Denys MedvedievSetup Whisper Offline Mode
From download to your first voice transcription in under 5 minutes. 100% local, 100% private — your audio never leaves your computer.
Last updated: April 2026 · Applies to v2.1+
Download & install
Head to the download page and grab the installer. Whisper runs on Windows 10+ and macOS 12+ (Intel and Apple Silicon). On a Mac? Follow the Mac voice-to-text walkthrough for the full setup with hotkey, mic permissions, and model choice. On Windows? See the voice to text on Windows guide for Win+H, Cloud BYOK, and local Parakeet/Whisper paths.
System requirements: 4 GB RAM minimum, ~25 MB for the app, plus 140 MB–3 GB for the AI model you choose.
Setup wizard
On first launch a 4-step wizard guides you through the essentials: welcome, microphone selection, transcription model, and you are ready.
Pick the Small model (480 MB) for most users — fast, accurate, runs on any CPU.
Your first transcription
Press the hotkey, speak, release — your text appears at the cursor in any app.
Default hotkey: Ctrl + Space on Windows, Cmd + Space on macOS.
Performance profile
Three presets balance speed and accuracy: Fast (quickest), Balanced (recommended), Accurate (highest quality).
Fast
Balanced
Accurate
AI enhancement with Ollama
Add Ollama to automatically clean up filler words, fix grammar, and polish your transcriptions — all locally, zero cloud.
Install Ollama from ollama.com, pull a model (e.g. llama3.2), and enable it in Whisper settings.
Tips for best results
Speak at natural pace — the AI does not need you to slow down.
Add custom vocabulary (hotwords) for names, brands, and jargon.
Use AI presets for common reshape commands like "summarize" or "make bullet list".
On a Mac and dictation has gone quiet after an update? Try the Mac Dictation troubleshooting walkthrough — it covers the toggle reset, microphone permission, and the Voice Control conflict that breaks it most often.
Ready to try Whisper?
Download Whisper and start transcribing in under 5 minutes with free local models. Upgrade to Pro for Cloud features whenever you're ready.
