KeyVox

KeyVox is a voice dictation tool for macOS (13.5+ with Whisper; 14+ with Parakeet) and iOS (18.6+), built by independent developer Dom Esposito. The core workflow: hold a modifier key to record, release to transcribe. Text appears in whatever app has focus — notes, email, a code editor, anything. All processing runs on the local device after a one-time model download; the vendor states no data ever leaves the device and no cloud processing occurs at any point.

The differentiating feature is KeyVox Vibes — on-device, reversible writing styles applied to dictated content. You speak naturally, pick a style (formal, casual, list format, and others), and the rewrite happens locally. Crucially, the style is reversible: change your mind after the fact without re-dictating. The Speak module inverts the flow — copy any text, and on-device AI voices read it aloud in up to eight voices, also without a network connection.

KeyVox fits users who dictate into desktop and mobile apps daily and treat privacy as a hard requirement, not a preference. It also fits multilingual users — the vendor cites multi-lingual support across both model options. Where it does not fit: it is not a full keyboard. The iOS version is explicitly designed for dictation first; users who want to mix voice input with touch typing must switch keyboards mid-session. Intel Mac support exists, but the vendor recommends Apple Silicon for performance — teams on older hardware will notice the difference under load.

The custom dictionary syncs across macOS and iOS via iCloud, covering names, emails, and domain-specific terms. Automatic list and paragraph formatting is built in. The Speak feature is noted as a paid-only feature within the app (one-time purchase for unlimited use), while core dictation is free with no subscription required.