Long-form recording
Start recording from the app without setup, with sessions of up to 120 minutes. Live Activities keep the recording status visible, including while the iPhone is locked.
Dictantor
Dictantor is a local-first voice notebook for Apple devices to record, transcribe, search, summarize, and share spoken notes without cloud processing.
Searchable voice notes for Apple devices
Dictantor is a voice-notebook app for capturing, transcribing, organizing, and revisiting spoken notes. Its workflow turns a recording into searchable text, connects transcript passages to their positions in the audio, and provides summaries for longer recordings when the required Apple Intelligence support is available.
The product is designed around local use on Apple devices. The site describes Dictantor as available on iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac, while emphasizing recording, transcription, and summaries without cloud processing or an account. Notes can be exported or shared as audio, text, timestamped transcripts, or plain-text summaries.
Features
On-device transcription
Turn speech into text directly on the device. Dictantor supports 25 European languages and does not require an internet connection for transcription.
Transcript search and timestamp navigation
Search across all transcripts, then move from a matching passage to the related point in the audio instead of replaying the entire recording.
On-device summaries
Generate automatic summaries for longer recordings such as meetings, lectures, interviews, and brainstorming sessions. Summaries are produced on the device when Apple Intelligence is available on a supported device.
Flexible note sharing
Send recordings and written notes into the next step of a workflow by exporting audio, exporting transcripts as text, copying transcripts with timestamps, or sharing summaries as plain text.
Local-first storage and privacy
Use the product without an account or cloud storage for recordings and transcripts. The site also says it does not track users and that audio stays on the iPhone.
Use cases
Meetings and interviews
Record a meeting or interview, then use the transcript to scan the discussion and jump to the exact audio moment behind an important statement. A summary can provide a shorter review when Apple Intelligence is supported.
Lectures and presentations
Capture a lecture or presentation as a longer recording and search the resulting transcript later for a term or passage, avoiding a full replay of the audio.
Ideas and brainstorming
Keep an idea notebook for spontaneous thoughts. Start recording quickly, including from the Action Button or shortcuts, and revisit the text later from the same searchable collection.
Mobile thought capture
Record on the go and keep the recording visible through Live Activities, including when the iPhone is locked. The site also describes capturing thoughts on Apple Watch and organizing them on iPhone.
Follow-up and sharing
Move a note into another workflow by exporting its audio, sending a transcript as text, copying timestamps, or sharing a summary as plain text.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Transcription and summaries are presented as on-device features, with no internet connection required for transcription.
- Search can take you from a transcript match to the corresponding moment in the audio.
- Supports recordings up to 120 minutes and keeps recording status visible through Live Activities.
- Offers audio export, text transcript export, timestamped transcript copying, and plain-text summary sharing.
- The site states that no account is required, recordings and transcripts are not stored in the cloud, and tracking is not used.
Cons
- Automatic summaries depend on Apple Intelligence and a supported device.
- The available product information does not specify pricing, supported operating-system versions, or transcription accuracy.
- The site describes sharing and export formats, but does not provide detailed integration or team-collaboration documentation.
FAQ
How do I record a voice note?
Open Dictantor, tap record, and continue recording without setup. The site says recordings can last up to 120 minutes, and Live Activities keep recording visible while you move through the day or use a locked iPhone.
How do I find a specific part of a recording?
Transcripts appear beside recordings. You can search across transcripts, select a matching phrase, and jump to the corresponding point in the audio using timestamp-based navigation.
Does Dictantor transcribe voice notes offline?
Dictantor supports 25 European languages and performs transcription on the device. The site says an internet connection is not required and that audio does not leave the iPhone.
What is required for automatic summaries?
Automatic summaries are generated on the device, but the site states that insights require Apple Intelligence and are available only on supported devices.
Which devices can I use with Dictantor?
The site describes the product as available on iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac. It also identifies no account, no tracking, no cloud storage for recordings or transcripts, and offline operation as part of its local-use approach.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Voice notes and productivity
- Platforms
- iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac
- Recording limit
- Up to 120 minutes
- Transcription
- On-device; supports 25 European languages
- Connectivity
- Transcription works without an internet connection
- Output formats
- Audio files, plain-text transcripts, timestamped transcripts, and plain-text summaries
Dictantor Alternatives
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SpeakoFlow
SpeakoFlow is a free, open-source desktop voice-to-text app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Dictate into any app, use Flow, cleanup, translation, and a screen-aware assistant.
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Tactiq
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