Handy

Handy is a free speech-to-text desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It records speech, transcribes it with a downloaded model, and pastes the result into the active text field. A keyboard shortcut starts and stops recording.

Key Highlights

• Local transcription after downloading a model
• macOS, Windows, and Linux downloads
• Configurable recording shortcut
• Push-to-talk or toggle recording
• Model choices for language and computer performance

What Makes It Different

Handy focuses on dictation into the app already open on your computer. You do not need to copy a transcript from a separate editor after each recording. The core transcription runs on the device rather than sending the audio to a cloud transcription service.

Features & Capabilities

Install the app, choose a speech-to-text model, and wait for the model download. On macOS, microphone permission captures speech and Accessibility permission allows insertion into other apps. Select a text field, use the shortcut, speak, then stop recording to paste the transcript.

Settings let users change the shortcut, recording mode, and microphone. Parakeet and Whisper options cover different language and performance needs. Optional post-processing is a separate feature, so review its configuration before assuming every part of a customized workflow stays local.

User Ratings and Testimonials

Handy provides a demonstration of dictation and publishes its code. Evaluate recognition with your accent, vocabulary, and microphone. Local transcription performance depends on the chosen model and computer; editing may still be needed for names, punctuation, or unusual terms.

Pricing & Value

• App: free, with no transcription subscription
• Models: downloaded before local transcription
• Support: donations and sponsorship help maintain the project

Choose a model for language coverage and speed. Handy converts speech to text; it is not an app for reading text aloud.