Sayso

Sayso is a dictation application that converts speech to text and inserts it into any active desktop application.

Sayso is a desktop dictation tool for macOS, Windows, and Linux that runs speech recognition directly on your hardware. Users press a hotkey to start recording, speak into their microphone, and see a live overlay with a waveform and timer before the text is pasted into the active application. It supports local speech models like Parakeet, Whisper, and SenseVoice, alongside optional cloud models from providers like OpenAI, Groq, and Deepgram. Users can apply customizable AI styles to edit transcripts using prompts, configure dictionaries for specific terminology, and maintain a history of past dictations. The software stores API keys securely in system keychains and operates locally to keep data private unless cloud features are enabled.

Sayso at a glance

Best for: Writer, Software engineer
Runs on: macOS, Windows, Linux, self-hosted, open source
Pricing: Free
Released: October 2026
Category: AI productivity tool
Website: github.com/watzon/sayso

Key features

Dictates text directly into any active application
Displays a live preview overlay with a waveform and timer
Runs local speech recognition models on your hardware
Supports optional cloud speech and AI models
Applies customizable AI styles to format transcripts
Maintains a searchable history of dictations and audio
Provides custom dictionaries for names and replacements

Use it for

Drafting emails and messages using voice input
Transcribing spoken notes locally without internet access
Formatting text automatically with AI prompt styles
Dictating code or documentation into any desktop editor

Alternatives to Sayso

LocalBolo — Private, on-device dictation that works in any app without cloud data usage.
Sayonic — Controls Mac apps, files, and events using natural voice or text commands.
无线麦 — Connects bluetooth remotes to Mac for quick voice input, custom actions, and AI integration.
Talkhawk — Speech recognition runs locally on your PC so your audio never leaves your computer.
SpeechFast — Dictate anywhere on Mac with 100 percent local processing and no cloud servers.
Zumbo — Turns your speech into text locally with complete privacy and near-zero latency.
Openbroca — AI cleanup and translation turn messy speech into ready-to-send text directly in your apps.
talkflow — Transcribes speech entirely on your device with no word limits or cloud accounts
SaidTrace — Transcribes audio locally and keeps your archive on your Mac.
Voxscribe AI Voice Dictation — Transcribes speech locally on your PC for complete privacy without sending audio to a server.
Voicera — Dictate anywhere on your Mac four times faster than typing.
Hushkey — It enables completely silent speech-to-text input via webcam tracking.

All Sayso alternatives