Local, offline, and private: three things to check
Local describes where processing happens. Offline describes whether it needs a connection. Private describes how your data is handled. A tool can recognize speech locally and still send the transcript to a remote service for rewriting. Check both steps before choosing.
In Alder, recognition and cleanup run on your Mac. Your dictation audio and transcript are not sent to a cloud model for either step. You decide which context to attach and where to paste or share the finished text. See the privacy policy for the full description of account, diagnostics, website, and support data.
What works offline, and what needs the internet?
| Task | Connection needed? |
|---|---|
| Recognize speech and clean up text | No, once the required models are downloaded. |
| Translate dictation locally | No, once the required translation model is ready. |
| Download or update models and the app | Yes. Finish setup before going offline. |
| Purchase, sign in, or restore paid access | Yes. These account steps use an internet connection. |
| Fetch a web page as context | Yes. Reading a live web page is separate from processing speech locally. |
Before travelling, open Alder while connected, finish model setup for the languages and features you use, then try a short dictation with Wi-Fi off. New languages or features can require additional downloads. Local processing does not mean every app feature avoids the network.
Set up local dictation on your Mac
Alder requires macOS 14+ · M1 or newer · 8 GB RAM. Intel Macs are not supported.
- Download Alder and complete its setup and model downloads.
- Allow microphone access and the permissions Alder requests to insert text into your apps.
- Choose your spoken language, or automatic detection, and decide whether to enable cleanup.
- Place the cursor in a text field, use your Alder shortcut, speak, then stop to insert the result.
- Review names and technical terms. Add recurring terms to your vocabulary or exact replacements.
Try the same short message in Notes and in your usual writing app. Use your real microphone, normal speaking pace, and the languages you actually mix. Recognition varies with the recording and vocabulary, so a successful demo is not a promise that every sentence will be perfect.
A simple example to try
Say: “Um, send the draft to Maya tomorrow morning.” With cleanup enabled, check that the filler is removed while the name and timing stay intact. This is an illustrative test sentence, not a recorded benchmark. Check your own result before sending it.
For mixed-language speech and language-specific examples, read:
Alder and Apple Dictation: which fits your work?
Apple Dictation is built into macOS and can enter text wherever you type. Apple recommends checking the note under Dictation in Keyboard settings to see whether your current setup processes general dictation on device or needs an internet connection. Language and feature availability vary. See Apple’s Dictation guide.
Alder adds optional filler and repeat cleanup, personal vocabulary, exact replacements, reusable snippets, local translation, and recoverable History. It requires Apple silicon and model setup. Compare the result on your own writing, including proper names and mixed languages.
For cloud or hybrid tools, check where both audio recognition and transcript cleanup run, whether a local mode must be enabled, and what happens without a connection. The privacy boundary should be clear before you dictate confidential text.
Choose Monthly Pass or One-Time
Start with a 7-day free trial on Monthly Pass. After the trial, Alder is $5.99/month or $49.99 one time. Pay once, use forever. One year of updates is included, with optional paid major upgrades after the first year. Covered versions keep working without renewal. Compare the current plans.
From dictation to a local voice workflow
Use Dictation when you want your words in the text field. Use Command when you want to ask about an attached document, summarize a selection, or draft from several sources. Attach context explicitly and review the result before sharing it.
Explore voice workflows for Mac, working with context, and the Alder product guide.