HablakiVoice dictation on Mac: how it works and what options there are
Dictating means talking to your Mac and having the text appear on its own. It saves time, spares you from typing long messages, and is more comfortable for many people. This guide explains what options exist and what to look at when choosing.
What is voice dictation on Mac?
It is a feature that turns what you say into written text, right where your cursor is: an email, a chat, a document, or a web form. Behind the scenes, a speech recognition model analyzes the audio from the microphone and returns the words. The options differ in where that model runs (on your Mac or on a server), in accuracy, and in how easy they are to trigger.
Options for dictating on a Mac
Built-in macOS dictation
Apple includes a dictation feature in the system. You turn it on in System Settings, under Keyboard, and it is free. The exact steps and options, such as the shortcut or the available languages, can vary depending on your version of macOS and your Mac.
Third-party dictation apps
These are applications that add their own shortcut, work in any text field, and usually offer more control: choosing the key, the language, or your own vocabulary. Some process your voice in the cloud and others, like Hablaki, on your own computer.
Cloud services
They send your audio to a server to transcribe it. They can be very accurate, but they depend on internet and your voice leaves your computer.
What to look for when choosing
- Privacy: does the audio leave your Mac, or is it processed inside it?
- Internet: does it need a connection to transcribe your voice, or only for setup and license?
- Keyboard shortcut: can you press once to start and stop, or hold a key down?
- Languages: does it understand yours well?
- Your own vocabulary: does it spell your names, brands, and terms correctly?
- Speed: how long does the text take to appear after you stop talking?
- Price: free, subscription, or one-time payment.
How to dictate in any app with Hablaki
- Install Hablaki and give it microphone and accessibility permissions.
- Place the cursor where you want to type.
- Press F5, speak, and press F5 again. Or hold down the fn key while you speak.
- The text is pasted on its own where the cursor was.
The keys can be changed in Settings.
All speech recognition runs inside your Mac. In our tests on a Mac with an M4 Pro chip, four seconds of speech were transcribed in half a second.
Tips for dictating better
- Speak in full sentences at a natural pace, without spelling things out.
- Move the microphone closer and find a quiet spot.
- Choose the right language before you start.
- Add the names and terms you use often to your vocabulary.
- If music is playing through the speakers, use headphones.
- Review the text before you send it.
Start dictating with Hablaki
Private voice dictation: your voice never leaves your computer. One-time payment of $9.99, no subscription.
Buy · $9.99See how it worksFrequently asked questions
What is the best dictation for Mac?
It depends on what you value. If you want something free and basic, try the dictation that comes with macOS. If you are looking for your own shortcut, something that works in any app, and your voice staying on your computer, a local option like Hablaki is a better fit.
Can you dictate in Spanish on a Mac?
Yes. Both built-in macOS dictation and Hablaki support Spanish. Hablaki also understands English, French, Portuguese, German, and Italian.
Does it work on a Mac with an Intel chip?
Hablaki does: there is an Intel version with a lighter model. It transcribes a bit slower than on Apple chips.