# Dictator dictation app

6 Hacker News commenters recommended Dictator dictation app and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 3 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Free, open-source macOS dictation tool that people find lightweight and controllable, and that works well with local models.

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Handy](https://hackerapproved.com/p/handy.md): 150 recommend
- [Wispr Flow](https://hackerapproved.com/p/wispr-flow.md): 52 recommend
- [MacWhisper](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macwhisper.md): 31 recommend
- [macOS Dictation](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macos-built-in-dictation.md): 26 recommend
- [Hex voice-to-text app for macOS](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hex.md): 26 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Dictator dictation app", https://hackerapproved.com/p/dictator/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).