Pines Voice

$5/moStarting price

0Popularity

About Pines Voice

Pines Voice is a dictation utility for macOS that converts spoken input into text within any application. It operates entirely offline using local speech recognition models or optionally connects to cloud providers like OpenAI or OpenRouter. The tool is activated by holding the right Option key, speaking a sentence, and releasing the key to insert the text at the current cursor position. It maintains a local log of all dictations, including word counts, timestamps, and associated costs when using cloud services. The application supports three quantized offline models that run on the Mac’s GPU via Metal, ensuring no audio or transcript leaves the user’s device. Users can customize spellings of names and terms through a built-in dictionary, and the tool provides real-time feedback via a small HUD near the cursor. Pines Voice requires macOS 12 or newer and asks for standard permissions: microphone access, accessibility features for text insertion, and input monitoring to detect the activation key.

Key features

Local speech recognition using whisper.cpp on Metal
Cloud integration with OpenAI or OpenRouter
Built-in dictionary for custom spellings
Activity log with timestamps and word counts
HUD for real-time feedback near cursor
Menu bar interface with no dock icon
Three quantized offline models
Cost tracking for cloud dictation

Use cases

Writing emails or documents without typing
Coding with voice commands in IDEs
Taking notes in any text field

Pros

Offline operation with local speech recognition
Works in any macOS app with a text cursor
Supports custom dictionary for names and jargon
Real-time cost tracking for cloud-based dictation
No audio or transcript sent to external servers

Cons

Subscription-based pricing model
Requires macOS 12 or newer
No free tier beyond a 3-day trial

Frequently asked questions about Pines Voice

What is Pines Voice?

Pines Voice is an offline dictation utility for macOS that converts spoken input into text within any application. It operates locally using quantized speech recognition models or optionally connects to cloud providers like OpenAI or OpenRouter.

Who is Pines Voice designed for?

Pines Voice is designed for macOS users who need hands-free text input across any application, including developers, writers, and professionals who prefer voice-to-text workflows.

How does Pines Voice work?

Users hold the right Option key, speak a sentence, and release the key to insert the transcribed text at the current cursor position. It supports both offline local models and cloud-based transcription with real-time feedback via a small HUD.

Does Pines Voice require an internet connection?

No. The local engine runs entirely offline using whisper.cpp on the Mac’s GPU via Metal, with no audio or transcript leaving the device. Cloud models require an internet connection but use the user’s own API keys.

What permissions does Pines Voice need?

Pines Voice requires microphone access to capture speech, accessibility features to insert text at the cursor, and input monitoring to detect the activation key. These permissions are standard for dictation tools.

How do I get started with Pines Voice?

Download the app from pines.rocks/download, install it on macOS 12 or newer, and grant the required permissions. No additional setup is needed for the local engine, while cloud models require adding your own API key.