Press your shortcut
Use Fn/Globe, F19, or another shortcut you choose.
Private, offline dictation for Mac
Press a key.
Speak. Keep moving.
PressSpeak is a private, offline push-to-talk dictation app for Apple-Silicon Macs. Speak naturally and your words appear at the cursor.
Your recording is never uploaded to PressSpeak.
Download PressSpeakNo card required · Then $19.99 once if you keep it
See how it works7 days free • Then $19.99 once • No subscription
How to dictate offline on a Mac
Three steps. You stay in control.
Speak naturally
The visible indicator confirms exactly when PressSpeak is listening.
Press again to finish
Your transcript is inserted once into the app you were using.
Product demo
See the whole workflow.
Keep your destination app focused, then press Fn/Globe, F19, or another shortcut you choose.
Press: Start without leaving your app
Built for real work
Built for real work.
Reliable local dictation in most normal Mac text fields.
- Local transcription with one bundled multilingual model.
- Automatic language detection for each recording.
- Personal vocabulary for names and technical terms.
- Visible cancellation from the PressSpeak menu while recording.
Private by design
Nothing you say is sent to us.
No transcription backend. No analytics. No account. No history.
- Audio is processed locally and temporary recordings are deleted after transcription.
- Your transcript is not retained by PressSpeak after insertion.
- Accessibility permission recognizes your global shortcut and inserts the completed transcript.
Simple pricing
Buy it once. Keep using it.
Try the complete app for seven days with no card. If you keep it, unlock it inside PressSpeak through Stripe for $19.99 once.
Requires Apple Silicon · macOS 14 or laterAfter the free trial$19.99
No subscription
No automatic renewal
one time
No subscription
No automatic renewal
Choose the tool that matches the job.
MacWhisper is the broader transcription suite. Wispr Flow is the cloud writing assistant across devices. PressSpeak is the focused local-first choice.
| Capability | PressSpeak | MacWhisper | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 once | Free; Pro €64 once | Free tier; Pro $15/mo or $12/mo billed annually |
| Primary job | Focused push-to-talk dictation | Transcription workspace plus dictation | Polished dictation across apps and devices |
| Processing | Bundled on-device model | Local by default; optional cloud providers | Cloud transcription; storage and training controls |
| Dictation workflow | Toggle shortcut with visible indicator | Global shortcut in the direct-download app | Global dictation across supported apps and devices |
| Platforms | Apple-Silicon Mac | Mac; Apple silicon recommended, Intel supported | Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android |
| Languages | Up to 100 languages | Up to 100 languages | Up to 100 languages |
| Writing cleanup | No rewriting | Optional with a configured AI provider | Built-in polishing, styles, and context awareness |
| Files and meetings | No | Audio/video files and meeting recording | Mac Notetaker for meetings and voice memos |
| Account | No app account | Pro uses a license key | Required |
Checked August 25, 2026 from MacWhisper’s official site and Wispr Flow’s official features, pricing, and privacy pages. MacWhisper refers to its direct-download edition. This is a capability comparison, not an accuracy benchmark.
Read the full comparisonQuestions, answered plainly.
What is PressSpeak?
PressSpeak is a private, offline push-to-talk dictation app for Apple-Silicon Macs. It inserts locally transcribed speech into the app you are using.
Where can I download PressSpeak?
Download PressSpeak from getpressspeak.com and try the complete app free for seven days. No card is required. The earlier Mac App Store edition is currently unavailable for new downloads.
Which Macs are supported?
PressSpeak requires an Apple-Silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. Intel Macs are not supported in version 1.0.
Does my voice leave my Mac?
No. PressSpeak bundles its speech model and transcribes locally. Temporary recordings are deleted after transcription, and PressSpeak has no transcription server.
Which permissions are required?
Microphone access lets PressSpeak record while its listening indicator is visible. Accessibility lets it recognize the global shortcut, cancel with Escape, and insert the completed transcript. PressSpeak does not request Input Monitoring.
How does the purchase work?
Start the seven-day trial without a card. If you want to keep using PressSpeak, choose Unlock forever inside the app and pay $19.99 once through Stripe. Return to PressSpeak after checkout and it verifies the purchase automatically.
Is there a subscription?
No. PressSpeak is a one-time purchase with no subscription or automatic renewal.
Can I choose a shortcut?
Yes. PressSpeak starts with Fn/Globe, keeps F19 available, and includes a recorder for another modified key combination or function key.
Which languages work?
PressSpeak uses one multilingual model and detects the spoken language automatically. Accuracy varies by language, accent, microphone, and environment.
Does it rewrite or clean up my words?
No. Version 1.0 focuses on transcription and personal vocabulary. It does not send text to an AI rewriting provider.
Does it save recordings or transcripts?
No. Temporary audio is deleted after transcription, and PressSpeak does not keep transcript history.
Does it work with every app?
PressSpeak inserts text using a normal paste action and works in most standard Mac text fields. If an app blocks insertion, the transcript remains copied so you can press Command-V.
Press and creators
Open press kitFacts, screenshots, and launch assets.
Everything needed to cover PressSpeak accurately, including its limitations.