---
title: "LocalWhisper"
description: "A native Mac workbench for dictation, imported recordings, meeting capture, searchable transcripts, and optional text actions through speech and language engines you choose."
canonical: "https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper"
updated: "2026-09-24T00:03:34Z"
---

# LocalWhisper

> LocalWhisper connects dictation, recorded audio, meeting capture, editable transcripts, search, playback, export, and focused text actions in one native Mac workbench while keeping the processing engine under your control.

## Official resources

- [Visual product page](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper)
- [Product page in Markdown](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper/index.html.md)
- [Download the 14-day trial](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper/download/LocalWhisper.dmg)
- [Signed software-update feed](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper/appcast.xml)
- [Privacy notice](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper/privacy)
- [Terms](https://madebysidequest.com/localwhisper/terms)

## At a glance

- **Category:** Dictation and transcription software.
- **Requirements:** Apple silicon, M1 or newer; macOS 26 Tahoe or later.
- **Current release:** 0.1.5 (build 202609232001), published September 24, 2026.
- **Price:** $29 USD, one-time purchase.
- **Trial:** 14 days. When the trial ends, you can no longer start a new transcription, dictation, or meeting-capture workflow; existing transcripts remain available to view, edit, search, and export.
- **Included updates:** Every update released during the first 12 months; covered versions remain usable afterward.
- **License:** One person, on Macs they personally use. The signed license is verified locally without a SideQuest activation record.
- **Refunds:** 14-day voluntary refund window, alongside rights provided by applicable consumer law.
- **Privacy:** The transcript library stays on the Mac. Built-in Whisper runs locally, while Apple services and optional endpoints follow their own behavior; a configured endpoint can receive the audio, transcript, prompt, context, or question needed for the request.

## When LocalWhisper is a strong fit

- You want dictation, file transcription, meeting capture, and transcript review in one native Mac app.
- You want to choose between built-in processing and services or endpoints that you configure.
- You need an editable local transcript library with search, playback, revisions, and broad exports.
- You prefer a one-time purchase, no SideQuest account, and no hosted SideQuest transcript service.

## When to choose something else

- You need Intel Mac, older macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad, or Android support.
- You need automatic cloud sync, a hosted team workspace, or browser collaboration.
- You need every processing option to stay offline without reviewing which engine is selected.
- You need automatic speaker labels rather than manual speaker review.

## Features

- Global-hotkey dictation with final-only or live text delivery
- Imports for supported audio, video, and transcript files
- Editable, searchable transcripts with playback and revision history
- User-started system-audio meeting capture with an optional microphone mix
- Apple Speech and built-in WhisperKit processing choices
- Configured whisper.cpp, Parakeet Helper, Ollama, LM Studio, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints
- Focused cleanup, summary, chapter, action-item, translation, and question workflows
- Exports to text, Markdown, subtitles, JSON, CSV, Word, and PDF

## Verified limitations

- Apple silicon and macOS 26 Tahoe or later are required.
- LocalWhisper does not provide cloud sync, a hosted transcript library, or a SideQuest inference service.
- Optional configured endpoints can receive sensitive workflow content; their operator controls retention and privacy.
- Speaker labeling is manual; automatic speaker labels are not included.
- Models or language assets may need a network download before first use.

## Permissions

- Microphone access is used for dictation and recordings you start.
- Speech Recognition access can be required by the selected Apple Speech path.
- Accessibility is used for global hotkeys, selected-text context, and automatic pasteback when enabled.
- Screen and System Audio Recording access is used only for meeting capture you start.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where does processing happen?

It depends on the engine you select. Built-in Whisper runs through Core ML on your Mac. Apple Speech can use the modern on-device path for supported locales; legacy recognition follows Apple’s Speech Recognition permission and service behavior. Local services stay on the host you configure. An optional user-configured endpoint can receive the audio, transcript, prompt, or question needed for the action you request. LocalWhisper does not provide a hosted inference service.

### When does LocalWhisper use the network?

A model or language asset may need to be downloaded when you choose it. Requests also occur when you use an optional endpoint or network service that you configured, and legacy Apple recognition follows Apple’s service behavior. The selected provider and its location determine where a configured request goes.

### What happens after the trial?

When the trial ends, you can no longer start a new transcription, dictation, or meeting-capture workflow; existing transcripts remain available to view, edit, search, and export.

### Does LocalWhisper require an account?

The app does not require a SideQuest account for its transcript library. Any account, credential, or access requirement for an optional service belongs to the provider you choose.

### How does the LocalWhisper license work?

The signed LocalWhisper license key is verified entirely on your Mac. Activating it does not contact SideQuest, send a device identifier, or create an activation record.