Global keyboard shortcut
Press a global shortcut from any app to start dictating without switching windows or breaking your flow.
Harker
Harker is a free voice-to-text app for Mac that lets you dictate into any app with a global shortcut. Premium adds AI writing features for formatting, translation, and cleanup.
Overview
Harker is a voice-to-text app for Mac that lets you dictate into any application with a global keyboard shortcut. It is built around local transcription, so the free version processes audio on your Mac instead of sending it to a cloud service.
The product is designed for people who want faster text entry without leaving their current workflow. The free tier covers unlimited local transcription, while Premium adds AI-based cleanup and rewriting features such as style changes, formatting, translation, and custom instructions.
Features
Local transcription
Harker transcribes speech locally on your Mac, with the source describing on-device Whisper processing and no cloud audio on the free tier.
Works in any app
Your dictated text can be inserted into any active text field, so the same workflow works in email, docs, Slack, code, and prompts.
Free transcription tools
The free tier includes unlimited transcription, support for all Whisper model tiers, auto-paste, and multi-language input.
AI writing layer
Premium adds AI writing style transformation, output formatting for emails, bullets, and notes, grammar and punctuation fixes, translation, and custom instructions.
Mac compatibility
The download page says Harker requires macOS 12 or later and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Use Cases
Email drafting
Draft emails, replies, and follow-ups by speaking naturally, then paste the result directly into the message you are already composing.
Fast note capture
Capture product ideas, prompts, and working notes without stopping to type, especially when you want the text to land in the current app immediately.
Developer workflows
Turn spoken thoughts into code-related text, comments, or prompts while staying in your editor or terminal.
Polishing dictation
Convert rough dictation into a more polished format for emails, bullets, or notes when you want the AI layer to clean up tone and structure.
Translation workflows
Speak in one language and translate the output to another when you need a quick multilingual draft or message.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited local transcription is free and does not require an account.
- Works from a global shortcut in any app where you can type.
- Keeps audio processing on-device for the free tier, which the site positions as a privacy benefit.
- Premium can turn raw dictation into formatted text, cleaner grammar, and translated output without manual rewriting.
Cons
- Windows support is planned, but the current release is macOS only.
- Premium AI features add an extra processing step, so polished results take a few seconds longer than raw transcription.
FAQ
Is Harker really free?
Yes. The free tier includes unlimited local transcription with no account required, no word caps, and no trial clock.
What does Premium add?
Premium adds AI writing styles, smart formatting, grammar and punctuation fixes, translation, and custom instructions.
Do I need an account to use Harker?
No. The free version does not require an account; you can download, install, and start dictating immediately.
What happens if I cancel Premium?
The source states Premium is a 7-day free trial and says you can cancel Premium; it does not describe cancellation mechanics in more detail.
Does Harker work offline and is my data private?
Free transcription is processed locally on your Mac, and the download page says no cloud audio is sent on the free tier.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Voice-to-text / productivity
- Platform
- macOS 12+; Apple Silicon and Intel supported
- Pricing model
- Free unlimited transcription; Premium AI features available from $5.75/mo on the annual plan
- Source domain
- getharker.com
- Workflow
- Shortcut-based dictation into the active app with optional AI cleanup
- Availability
- macOS only today; Windows support is planned
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