Is OpenWhispr a treatment for RSI?

No. OpenWhispr is speech-to-text software, not a diagnosis or treatment. It gives you a way to use your voice for text input when that suits your workflow.

Should I choose Cloud or local transcription?

Choose Cloud when you want top accuracy and speed without downloading a local model. Choose local when you need device-only processing or want to work offline. Both are deliberate options for different situations.

Does Cloud keep my audio?

No. OpenWhispr Cloud receives audio only to transcribe it, then immediately discards it. Local transcription runs on your device and does not need an internet connection.

Can it handle names, jargon, and drafting?

Use the custom dictionary for names, acronyms and specialist terms. OpenWhispr turns speech into text. You can also connect your own AI key to turn dictated text into a draft, then review it yourself.

Is it free, and what do paid plans add?

Free includes unlimited local AI models, 2,000 Cloud words each week, and five hours of meeting recordings each month. Pro adds unlimited Cloud transcription, 20 meeting-recording hours, sync, mobile, and API/MCP access. Business adds unlimited meeting recordings, Agent mode, and chat over data.

Voice to text apps for people with RSI

Give your hands a break. Speak instead.

Reduce the keyboard and mouse work that can become uncomfortable with RSI. Speak naturally to turn your words into text for messages, forms and notes. Choose fast Cloud transcription or local processing for offline work.

Open source · 80,000+ downloads

Use alongside:

GmailGoogle DocsSlackMicrosoft WordNotionChatGPT

When typing is the hard part

The work is manageable. The keyboard and mouse time adds up.

A long email, form or document can turn into a stop-start job when your hands need a break. Speak instead, then review what lands on the page.

A short reply becomes a long typing session.

In tap mode, press the hotkey once to start and again to stop, then review the transcribed reply before you send it.

A flare-up does not wait for a quieter week.

When typing is difficult today, use your voice for the email, note or form in front of you. OpenWhispr gives you another way to get the words down.

Cloud should be quick to start.

Choose Cloud when you want fast transcription without downloading a local model. Audio is sent only to transcribe it, then immediately discarded.

An internet drop should not end the task.

Choose a local model when you need to work offline. Local transcription runs on your device, so you can keep dictating without a connection.

What you get

Use your voice for the draft. Keep manual input for review.

Dictate into the app you already have open, then review and refine the returned text instead of entering every word manually.

Man speaking at a laptop beside an ergonomic keyboard

Speak while you work

Press a hotkey and dictate the email, document, chat or form in front of you. OpenWhispr pastes transcribed text into the active app when automatic pasting is available, or copies it to your clipboard.

Woman in a wrist brace speaking at a laptop in an open studio office

Cloud transcription without a local model download

Start speaking without waiting for a local model download. Cloud transcribes with top accuracy and speed, then immediately discards the audio.

Woman resting her hands on a cushion while working at a laptop at home

A local option for offline work

Choose a local model when you need device-only processing or no internet connection. Your computer processes the transcription while you stay in control of the workflow.

Audio sent away in local mode

None

local transcription runs on your device

Cost to start

unlimited local AI models, forever

Steps to your first dictation

download, dictate, review

How it works

A reply in the box with less sustained manual input.

Choose the interaction that suits the task, dictate into the app already open, then review the returned text before continuing.

Woman in a wrist brace speaking at a laptop in an art studio

Download for free.

Mac, Windows or Linux. Start with unlimited local AI models, or use the included Cloud allowance.

Choose tap or hold, then speak.

Use tap mode for separate start and stop presses, or hold the hotkey while speaking. Dictate the email, form answer or note in the app already open.

Review and send.

Read the text, make any edits you want, then carry on with the task.

Built for the next sentence

10 reasons to try OpenWhispr with RSI

OpenWhispr does not treat RSI. It gives you a practical way to dictate the draft, then use the keyboard or mouse to review and edit the returned text.

A hotkey starts dictation

Use a keyboard shortcut to start speaking without hunting for a voice button in every app.

Review before you send

Read the transcribed text and make any edits you want before you send or save it.

Cloud gets you speaking sooner

Choose Cloud when you want top accuracy and speed without first downloading a local model.

Local transcription works offline

Run a local AI model entirely on your device when you do not have an internet connection.

Cloud audio is immediately discarded

OpenWhispr Cloud receives audio only to transcribe it, then never stores it.

The dictionary learns your words

Add names, acronyms and specialist terms to the custom dictionary for sharper transcripts.

100+ languages are supported

Every plan supports 100+ languages.

Local models are unlimited and free

Every plan includes unlimited local AI models, so there is no per-minute local dictation bill.

Bring your own API keys

Use your own OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or Groq keys for unlimited cloud transcription with no OpenWhispr limits.

Upgrade when the workflow needs more

Pro adds unlimited OpenWhispr Cloud transcription, sync, mobile, and API/MCP access. Business adds Agent mode and chat over data.

Before you download

The questions people with RSI ask first.

Straight answers on voice input, privacy and cost.

What users say

For people who would rather talk than type.

What users told us in their own words.

To start dictating

Free includes unlimited local AI models. Choose a paid plan when Cloud transcription or workflow features become useful.

Started using OpenWhispr with my local models and hardware. I have to say, this is better than typing.

0xSero@0xSero

I switched to voice input for my Claude Code chats. Even when I stumble and rephrase mid-sentence, the transcription comes out clean and polished.

j3iiifn@j3iiifn

I needed a local model for when I'm travelling or have no WiFi, and this perfectly solves it. The UI and performance are great.

Gabe@gabe__perez

Pricing

Free forever.
Upgrade when you want more.

Compare OpenWhispr plans for people with RSI
	FreePopular $0No card details needed Loading...	Pro $6.67/user/mo$80/user billed annually Start with Pro	Business $13.33/user/mo$160/user billed annually Start with Business
Best for	People with RSI who want unlimited local dictation and a useful Cloud allowance	People with RSI who want unlimited Cloud transcription plus mobile, sync, and API/MCP access	People who need unlimited meeting recordings, Agent mode, and chat over data
Main reason to choose	Unlimited local AI models plus a limited Cloud allowance	Unlimited Cloud transcription plus mobile, sync, and API/MCP access	Unlimited meeting recordings plus Agent mode and chat over data
Offline speech-to-text	Included	Included	Included
Cloud speech-to-text	2,000 words/week via OpenWhispr Cloud, or unlimited using your own API keys	Unlimited OpenWhispr Cloud speech-to-text	Unlimited OpenWhispr Cloud speech-to-text
Meeting recordings	5 hours/month	20 hours/month	Unlimited
Privacy & data handling	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.
Setup experience	Hands-on: install app, choose local models, optionally add API keys	Easy: install app, upgrade, use unlimited cloud speech-to-text	Moderate: configure users, Agent mode, and data workflows
Advanced features	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text Device sync use across devices Mobile companion app dictate on mobile API / MCP access connect tools/workflows	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text Device sync use across devices Mobile companion app dictate on mobile API / MCP access connect tools/workflows Agent mode automate actions Chat over your data ask about files/transcripts
Team management	None	None	Basic team / workflow use
Support	Community support	Email support	Priority support

Need SSO, compliance features, admin controls, or dedicated support for a larger team?

We also offer a custom Enterprise plan with managed onboarding and tailored features.

Talk to us

Built in the open

Prolonged keyboard and mouse work should not be the only way to get words out.

OpenWhispr started with a simple objection: someone whose hands need a break should not have to stop getting words onto the page.

OpenWhispr is open source under the MIT license, so the code is available for anyone to inspect. Local AI models run entirely on your device, and you can choose them when that is the right fit for your workflow.

Free includes Community support. Pro includes Email support, and Business includes Priority support.

Free · open source · local-first

When sustained manual input adds friction, let your voice take the next turn.

Download OpenWhispr and dictate the next email, form or note. Review the words, make your edits, and keep the task moving.

Start with three steps: download, dictate, review. Free forever on Mac, Windows & Linux.

Written by: Joshua Padoa
Reviewed and fact checked by: Wesley van der Hoop
Last reviewed: August 27, 2026

Drafted with AI assistance