OpenWhispr
Shares dictation and speech to text with Handy. Rated 4.5 (Handy: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Desktop App
Handy
Offline speech-to-text that types what you say into any app.
Rating
4.7 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Windows, macOS, Linux
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Handy?
Handy is a free, open-source desktop app for dictation that runs entirely on your own computer. Press a shortcut, speak, and your words are transcribed with local Whisper or Parakeet models and pasted into whatever text field you are using, so no audio is ever sent to the cloud.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros: what Handy does well
- Works in any app with one shortcut
- Audio never leaves your computer
- Free and open source
Cons: where it falls short
- Larger models need a capable CPU or GPU
- Needs microphone and accessibility permissions
Who Handy is for
Anyone who writes a lot and would rather talk than type, from emails to meeting notes.
Who can skip it
People who rarely type long text or already rely on built-in dictation.
Handy alternatives
Not sold on Handy? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Blurt
Focus: macos and accessibility. Shares dictation and speech to text with Handy. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.4 (Handy: 4.7).
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.4Visit
whisper.cpp
Focus: transcription. Shares speech to text and local ai with Handy. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Adds Offline. Same 4.7 rating.
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Vibe
Focus: transcription. Shares speech to text and local ai with Handy. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Adds Offline. Rated 4.6 (Handy: 4.7).
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Dayflow
Focus: time tracking, work journal and daily standup. Shares local ai and open source with Handy. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.5 (Handy: 4.7).
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit
Stop Slop
Focus: writing, ai and editing. Shares open source with Handy. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Rated 4.8 (Handy: 4.7).
AI ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.8Visit
Free alternatives to Handy
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
MuseScore Studio
Focus: music notation, sheet music and composition. Shares open source and github with Handy. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Prompt Master
Focus: prompt engineering, claude and skill. Shares open source with Handy. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Same 4.7 rating.
AI ToolFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
micro
Focus: text editor, terminal and ssh. Shares open source and github with Handy. Rated 4.6 (Handy: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
VSCodium
Focus: code editor, vs code and privacy. Shares open source and github with Handy. Adds Offline. Rated 4.6 (Handy: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Buzz
Focus: transcription, offline and otter alternative. Shares whisper and open source with Handy. Rated 4.5 (Handy: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Jan
Focus: llm, offline and chatgpt alternative. Shares local ai and open source with Handy. Rated 4.5 (Handy: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
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