Replace Superwhisper?
YES · one-shottableA push-to-talk recorder that transcribes and pastes text into the active app is very buildable for one person, especially on macOS.
Build me a push-to-talk dictation tool for macOS to replace Superwhisper. Requirements: - A global hotkey (default: hold right Option) records my mic while held, stops on release. A small Swift menu bar app or a Hammerspoon script, pick the simpler to ship. - Record with ffmpeg (avfoundation) to a temp wav, transcribe locally with whisper.cpp (small.en by default, model path in a config file). Works fully offline, no cloud speech APIs. - Paste the result into whatever field has focus (simulate Cmd+V via CGEvent or osascript, then restore my previous clipboard). - Optional cleanup mode on a second hotkey: send the transcript to an LLM (key in .env) to fix punctuation and drop filler words, then paste. If no key is set, this mode just does a plain paste. - Menu bar icon shows idle/recording/transcribing; clicking it lists the last 10 transcripts with copy buttons. - Append every transcript to ~/Dictation/YYYY-MM.md with a timestamp, and delete the audio after transcription. No accounts, no telemetry. - Out of scope: per-app presets and custom vocabulary tuning. One good general mode. - README: mic + accessibility permissions to grant, how to download the whisper model, and a note that the first run will trigger macOS permission prompts.
$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter) or copy it raw · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
They pay for the low-friction menu-bar experience and dictation profiles.
xbeautiful native UX
xpresets
xvocabulary/profile tuning
xapp-wide polish
xsupport
What does the Superwhisper verdict mean?
The directory classifies the core job as practical to build with an AI coding agent. Use the prompt as a starting point and review the tradeoffs before relying on the result. This research record is not a hosted IVCIFY tool.
What price does this directory record show for Superwhisper?
The directory records $8.49/month for Pro, checked 2026-07-30. Verify the source before making a purchase decision. This reference stays outside retail Stack Math unless current matched evidence supports the comparison.
What do I lose by replacing Superwhisper?
Honestly: beautiful native UX; presets; vocabulary/profile tuning; app-wide polish; support. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Superwhisper?
The listed prior art includes whisper.cpp (Local transcription engine that makes a simple dictation clone realistic.). Inspect those projects before starting from a blank prompt.