Phantom Voice is a local push-to-talk dictation tool designed specifically for macOS. Developed by solo developer Willis Liao (left inverse), it allows users to simply hold the fn key, speak, and release to have transcribed text automatically inserted into whichever application their cursor is currently in.

Built with privacy and performance in mind, transcription runs entirely on your Mac using whisper.cpp + Metal, ensuring that your audio data never leaves your computer. Additionally, Phantom Voice features an optional on-device cleanup pass that automatically strips out filler words and fixes punctuation. Moving away from standard recording dots and generic soundwaves, the app adds a delightful touch with hand-animated indicators.

Phantom Voice is available for a one-time payment of $10 with no subscription fees, and its source code is open-source under the MIT license. It requires macOS 14+ and Apple silicon.

Pros of Phantom Voice

100% local transcription powered by whisper.cpp and Metal ensures complete audio privacy.
Convenient push-to-talk functionality that inserts text directly in-place wherever your cursor is.
Affordable one-time price of $10 with zero subscription fees.
Open-source software licensed under the MIT license.
Optional on-device cleanup pass to remove filler words and fix punctuation.

Cons of Phantom Voice

Requires Apple silicon and macOS 14 or later.
Limited to Mac users (no Windows or Linux support mentioned).
Does not support cloud-based transcription alternatives if a user prefers them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Phantom Voice work?

Phantom Voice uses a push-to-talk mechanism. You hold down the fn key, speak what you want to write, and release. The text then appears directly inside whatever app your cursor is currently active in.