whisper-writer

What it does

Press the shortcut, speak, and Whisper transcribes into the active window — running locally, so nothing is sent anywhere, with a settings window for recording mode and model choice. The honest caveat is age: no commits since August 2024, and two years is long enough for dependencies to drift, so expect some friction at install and consider a maintained alternative if you just need dictation working today. GPL-3.0.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultyFor advanced users
• Command lineRequired
• API keyNot required
• Sends data onlineNo

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

whisper-writer FAQ

Is whisper-writer free?

Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use whisper-writer?

It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.

Does whisper-writer work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can I use whisper-writer commercially?

The licence is GPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

Other meetings & transcription tools