Open source
Vlocal, an open source dictation app for Mac
Why the code is public
A dictation app hears everything you say. Saying "nothing leaves your Mac" is easy; proving it is not. Since September 2026, Vlocal is free and its code can be read by anyone on GitHub. You no longer have to take the publisher's word for it: you can read the few lines that talk to the network.
There are exactly three: the check for the latest version, the "Send a diagnostic" button you press yourself, and a daily send of usage counters if you agreed to it at install time. What that send contains is built in a single file, telemetry.py, and an automated test fails if anyone adds a field to it.
What the repository contains
- The dictation engine: Whisper large-v3-turbo on the Apple GPU through MLX, CPU fallback with faster-whisper, transcription that runs ahead while you speak.
- Meeting transcription: recording, incremental transcription, speaker separation with local voice prints (sherpa-onnx, CAM++).
- The interface: one HTML file for the dashboard, a floating overlay, a menu bar item, all in pywebview.
- The release chain: the build script, Developer ID signing, Apple notarization, and the in-app updater that checks signature, notarization and Apple team identifier before installing anything.
- The tests: reminders, formatting, storage, counters, telemetry, speaker separation, shortcuts.
How to check for yourself
Clone the repository, create a Python 3.12 environment, install the dependencies, run app.py. The README covers the whole procedure, including downloading the models. You can also turn off wifi and dictate: that is the simplest check of all.
Licence
AGPL-3.0: you may read, modify and redistribute, provided you publish your changes under the same licence. Companies that want to integrate Vlocal without those obligations can request a commercial licence at support@vlocal.org.
Contributing
Fixes and improvements are welcome, as small pull requests. Two things are non-negotiable in review: transcription quality, and the rule that nothing leaves the machine without an explicit choice by the user.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vlocal really free?
Yes, with no time limit, no account and no paid tier. The project was sold by subscription from June to August 2026, then made free and open source in September 2026.
What is the licence?
AGPL-3.0, with a commercial licence available on request for company use without the AGPL obligations.
Can I use it at work?
Yes. Since nothing leaves the machine, the app raises no data transfer question. To embed it in a product or modify it without publishing your changes, request a commercial licence.
What data is sent?
With your agreement only: a random install identifier, your first and last name, your email if you give it, the versions, the timestamp of your last dictation, and per day the number of dictations, words, time saved and meetings. Never the text, never the audio. The details are on the Privacy page.