Kitsmith / Creator Tools / OpenSuperWhisper
A free, open-source macOS dictation app using Whisper or Parakeet, with global shortcuts and mouse-button triggers.
Our take
The free, open-source alternative in a category otherwise dominated by paid tools — MIT licensed, installable via Homebrew, with hold-to-record on a key or even a mouse button.
- Price
- Free
- License
- Open source
- Requires
- macOS, Apple Silicon/ARM64 only (no Intel support at verification time)
- Get it via
- GitHub · Homebrew
- Developer
- Starmel
Do you use OpenSuperWhisper?
Who made this
Are you Starmel? Claim this profile to add a photo, a bio, and links — or ask us to remove it.
What it does
Two transcription engines
Choose Whisper or Parakeet, with models downloaded directly in the app.
Global shortcuts and mouse triggers
Bind a key combination, a single modifier key, or a mouse button (including thumb buttons) to start/stop recording.
Hold-to-record
Hold the shortcut, modifier key, or mouse button to record; release to stop.
Drag-and-drop files
Queue audio files for transcription by dropping them onto the app.
Microphone selection
Switch between built-in, external, Bluetooth, and iPhone (Continuity) mics from the menu bar.
The deal
- Free and open source (MIT)
- Install via Homebrew: `brew install opensuperwhisper`, or download from GitHub Releases
OpenSuperWhisper — questions people ask
Is OpenSuperWhisper really free?
Yes — free and open source under the MIT license.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
Not at verification time — the project currently targets Apple Silicon (ARM64) only; Intel support is an open request in the repo.
Is OpenSuperWhisper free?
Yes — OpenSuperWhisper is free.
Does OpenSuperWhisper work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — OpenSuperWhisper lives in the menu bar, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download OpenSuperWhisper?
OpenSuperWhisper is available via GitHub, Homebrew.
Is OpenSuperWhisper open source?
Yes — OpenSuperWhisper is open source.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified September 18, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
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