Kviskr
Kviskr is a macOS app from Kviskr in Oslo that turns speech into text with speech recognition running on the Mac.
What Kviskr is
Kviskr is a macOS app from Kviskr in Oslo that turns speech into text with speech recognition running on the Mac. It supports Norwegian Bokmål and Nynorsk, while its Whisper model is described as supporting nearly 100 languages. Push-to-talk dictation lets you hold a shortcut while speaking and release it to place text at the cursor in apps such as Word, Slack, Mail, Safari, Notion, Messages, Notes, and Claude. The Standard model works without internet access, and other models include Maks kvalitet, Ordrett rask, and Whisper. You can drag an audio recording or interview into the app for transcription and add custom vocabulary. Optional AI modes can reshape dictated text into formats such as an email; when enabled, transcribed text may be sent to Anthropic or OpenAI, while recordings remain on the Mac. Audio and transcripts are stored locally, with history deletion controls. Early access is free and requires no account.
Good
- Offline Standard model works without internet
- Supports Bokmål and Nynorsk
- Custom vocabulary is supported
- Audio and transcripts stay local
- Early access is free without an account
Watch out
- Requires Apple silicon and macOS 15.1 or newer
- Intel Macs are unsupported
- AI modes can send text to Anthropic or OpenAI
- Local history lacks SQLite encryption
Who it suits
Kviskr suits Mac users who want local, offline dictation, Norwegian language choices, audio transcription, and custom vocabulary. It is aimed at Apple silicon Macs running macOS 15.1 or newer.
Verdict
Kviskr combines offline Mac dictation, Norwegian language support, audio transcription, and local data handling. Its Apple silicon requirement and optional external AI processing are important boundaries to consider.
Plans and prices
From Kviskr's own pricing page, checked 23 Sep 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Early access | Free | Free during early access · No account required · Free during early access; a future pricing model has not been decided. |
| Gratis i tidlig tilgang | Free | Ingen konto eller betaling nå · Mac med Apple silicon (M1 eller nyere) · macOS 15.1 eller nyere |
The facts
Each one read from Kviskr's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI providers
- When enabled, AI modes can send transcribed text to Anthropic or OpenAI; the recording stays on the Mac.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Audio transcription
- Users can drag an audio recording or interview into Kviskr to transcribe it on the Mac.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Custom vocabulary
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2001
- Data handling
- Audio and transcripts are stored locally, with history set to delete after 30 days by default and options for 7 or 90 days or retention.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Dictation workflow
- Kviskr uses push-to-talk: hold a shortcut while speaking, then release to insert the text where the cursor is.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Languages
- Users can choose Bokmål or Nynorsk, and the site also describes a Whisper model supporting nearly 100 languages.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Offline dictation
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2001
- Offline use
- The included standard model performs speech recognition locally, so dictation works without internet access.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Privacy model
- on-devicechecked 23 Sep 2001
- Purpose
- Kviskr turns Norwegian speech into text on Mac using local speech recognition.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Security limits
- Kviskr says it does not use its own SQLite encryption and relies on the Mac user account and disk encryption to protect local history.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Speech models
- The app offers models including Standard, Maks kvalitet, Ordrett rask, and Whisper, and says all run on the Mac.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Support
- The help page directs users to email, a contact form, or GitHub issues for support and bug reports.checked 8 Oct 2001
- System requirements
- Kviskr requires Apple silicon (M1 or newer) and macOS 15.1 or newer; Intel Macs are unsupported.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Writing modes
- Optional AI modes can turn dictated content into formats such as an email, and are off until enabled.checked 8 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- App compatibility
- The site says Kviskr works in apps including Word, Slack, Mail, Safari, Notion, Messages, Notes, and Claude.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Supported platforms
- macOSchecked 23 Sep 2001
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2001
The company
- Maker and location
- Kviskr is developed in Oslo by founder and developer Andreas Arntsen.checked 8 Oct 2001
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