AI chatbot for conversation, work, research, coding, and content creation.
Pomvox
FreeStarting price
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About Pomvox
Pomvox is a local voice dictation tool designed for macOS that processes speech entirely on the user’s device. It allows users to hold a hotkey, speak naturally, and have the transcribed text appear at the current cursor position in any application with a text field. The tool uses Apple’s Neural Engine for real-time transcription and a local model to clean up punctuation, casing, and filler words without requiring internet access. After an initial one-time model download, Pomvox operates fully offline, ensuring that audio and transcripts never leave the device. The software is free, open source, and notarized for macOS 14+ on Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) devices. It supports integration with various applications including email clients, chat programs, code editors, terminals, and note-taking apps.
Key features
- Push-to-talk hotkey activation
- Real-time transcription via Apple Neural Engine
- Local cleanup of punctuation and casing
- Fully offline operation after setup
- Cursor placement in any text field
- No network code in transcription path
- Notarized macOS installer
- Open source codebase
Use cases
- Dictating emails or messages without typing
- Coding with voice commands in IDEs
- Taking notes during meetings or lectures
Pros
- On-device processing with no internet dependency
- Open source and free to use
- Works across any app with a text field
- Push-to-talk hotkey for hands-free control
- Apple Neural Engine for local transcription
Cons
- Requires Apple Silicon (M1+) and macOS 14+
- No Windows or Linux support
- Initial model download required
Frequently asked questions about Pomvox
What is Pomvox?
Pomvox is an on-device voice dictation tool for macOS that transcribes speech locally using Apple’s Neural Engine and a local cleanup model. Users hold a hotkey, speak naturally, and the polished text appears at their cursor in any application with a text field.
Who is Pomvox designed for?
Pomvox is designed for macOS users, particularly those using Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) devices running macOS 14 or later. It suits anyone who prefers hands-free text input across applications like email clients, code editors, terminals, and note-taking apps.
Does Pomvox require an internet connection?
No. After an initial one-time model download, Pomvox operates fully offline, ensuring audio and transcripts never leave the device. It works even with Wi-Fi turned off.
Is Pomvox free to use?
Yes. Pomvox is free and open source, with the full source code available on GitHub for review, building, and contributions. No payment or subscription is required.
How do I install Pomvox?
Pomvox can be installed via the command `brew install --cask pomvox/pomvox/pomvox` in Terminal or by downloading the notarized .dmg file from GitHub Releases. It requires macOS 14+ and Apple Silicon (M1 or newer).
Is Pomvox private?
Yes. Pomvox processes audio and text entirely on-device with no network transmission. The tool includes no network code in the transcription path, and its open-source nature allows users to audit the code for privacy assurances.
