OpenTypeless vs Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation transcribes. OpenTypeless polishes. Get AI-cleaned text — no filler words, fixed grammar, correct punctuation — automatically after every dictation. Free, open source, runs on Mac.
Feature Comparison
OpenTypeless vs Apple Dictation on macOS
| Feature | OpenTypeless | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Free (built-in) |
| AI Text Polishing | 11 LLM providers | None |
| STT Provider | 6 providers (BYOK) | Apple only |
| Languages | 99 languages | ~30 languages |
| Custom Dictionary | Yes — AI-aware | Basic word additions |
| Platform | macOS / Windows / Linux | macOS / iOS only |
| Open Source | MIT License | Closed source |
| Provider Choice | Deepgram, Groq, Whisper+ | Apple only |
| Offline Mode | Yes (local Whisper) | Yes (Apple model) |
| Hotkey Control | Fully customizable | Double-press Fn only |
| Windows / Linux | Yes | No |
The Key Difference: AI Polishing
What Apple Dictation can't do
"um so I think we should uh probably schedule the meeting for next week and also maybe look at the the budget numbers before we uh decide anything"
"We should schedule the meeting for next week and review the budget numbers before making any decisions."
AI Text Polishing
Your speech automatically cleaned by an LLM — filler words removed, grammar fixed, punctuation added, tone improved.
Your Choice of STT
Not locked to Apple's recognition. Use Deepgram for speed, Whisper for accuracy, Groq for the fastest results.
99 Languages
Apple Dictation supports ~30 languages. OpenTypeless supports 99 via Whisper-based providers, with auto-detection.
Cross-Platform
Switch between Mac, Windows, and Linux without losing your settings, custom dictionary, or workflow.
Set Up in 5 Minutes on Mac
From Apple Dictation to OpenTypeless
Download OpenTypeless for Mac
Get the macOS installer from the download page. Works on macOS 12 Monterey and newer, including Apple Silicon.
Grant Accessibility Permission
On first launch, macOS will ask for Accessibility permission to enable the global hotkey. Approve it in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
Get a Free API Key
Sign up at Groq.com for a free API key (no credit card). Or Deepgram for $200 in free credits. Takes 2 minutes.
Start Dictating
Press your hotkey (default: Cmd+Shift+Space), speak naturally, and get clean polished text — everywhere Apple Dictation works, plus every other app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OpenTypeless vs Apple Dictation
Does OpenTypeless work with Fn key double-tap like Apple Dictation?
OpenTypeless uses its own configurable global hotkey (default: Cmd+Shift+Space on Mac). You can customize it to any key combination in settings. The Fn double-tap shortcut is specific to Apple Dictation and cannot be reassigned by third-party apps.
Is OpenTypeless compatible with macOS Sonoma and Sequoia?
Yes. OpenTypeless is built with Tauri and WebKit2, which uses the system webview. It runs on macOS 12 Monterey through the latest macOS versions including Sequoia. Both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) are fully supported.
Can I use both OpenTypeless and Apple Dictation?
Yes. They use different activation methods and don't conflict. Many users keep Apple Dictation for quick one-off dictations and use OpenTypeless when they want AI-polished output.
What happens to my dictation data?
With OpenTypeless, your audio goes directly from your Mac to your chosen STT provider (or runs locally with Whisper + Ollama). OpenTypeless never sees or stores your audio. Apple Dictation may send audio to Apple's servers depending on your settings.
Does the AI polishing work in any app?
Yes. The global hotkey activates in any macOS application — Pages, Word, VS Code, Xcode, Mail, Safari, Messages, Slack, and more. The polished text is pasted at your cursor position.