Frequently Asked Questions
The details behind how Voibe works day to day. For the quick answers most people want before trying Voibe, see the FAQ on our home page.
Is Voibe better than cloud-based dictation apps?
Voibe gives you a choice most cloud apps don't. In on-device mode (on Apple Silicon Macs), transcription happens entirely on your Mac and nothing leaves the device. In zero-retention cloud mode, Voibe uses only open-source models and your audio is deleted immediately after transcription — never stored, never sold, never used to train AI. Typical cloud dictation apps send your audio to third-party servers with retention policies you don't control.
Does Voibe work on Windows?
Yes. Voibe runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11, with the same push-to-talk and hands-free dictation as the Mac app — hold your hotkey and speak, or double-tap to go hands-free, and the text lands wherever your cursor is. On Windows, dictation runs in zero-retention cloud mode. See the Windows setup guide for the full walkthrough.
Does the Windows version run offline or on-device?
No. On Windows, Voibe runs in zero-retention cloud mode, so it needs an internet connection. It's still private by design: only open-source models, your audio is deleted the instant it's transcribed, and nothing is ever stored or used to train AI. Fully on-device, offline dictation is available today on Apple Silicon Macs.
Which Voibe features are Mac-only?
Fully on-device mode and Live Dictation are Mac-only today. Everything else works on Windows: push-to-talk, hands-free, Developer Mode for Cursor and VS Code, custom vocabulary, spoken punctuation, and smart formatting. Pricing is identical, and one seat covers your Mac and your Windows PC.
Will Voibe drain my battery?
No. In on-device mode Voibe is optimized for Apple's GPU, and it only activates while you are holding your hotkey. In zero-retention cloud mode — which is how Voibe runs on Windows and Intel Macs — the heavy lifting happens in the cloud, so there's even less local load. In everyday use, the impact is negligible.
Is Voibe always listening?
No. Voibe only listens when you hold your hotkey and speak. When you release the key, Voibe stops listening and types what you said. This is the same on Mac and Windows.
Does Voibe work offline without internet?
Yes, in on-device mode. On an Apple Silicon Mac you can switch Voibe to on-device transcription and use it on a plane, in train tunnels, or anywhere without a connection — nothing leaves your Mac. Zero-retention cloud mode needs internet, and that includes all dictation on Windows and Intel Macs. Even then your audio is deleted right after transcription and is never stored, sold, or used to train AI.
Can I use Voibe with Cursor, VS Code, and other developer tools?
Yes! Voibe works in every app on Mac and Windows including Cursor, VS Code, Linear, Jira, and any other development tool. It's a system-wide voice dictation app that inserts text wherever your cursor is.
Can I change the hotkey?
Yes, on both Mac and Windows. You can change the hotkey anytime from the Voibe dashboard. Just click the hotkey setting and pick a new one. Voibe recognises left and right modifier keys separately, so you can dedicate one side to dictation.
Can I use Voibe for medical or legal documentation?
Many professionals handling sensitive work use Voibe because of its data relationship: your audio is never stored, never sold, and never used to train AI. On an Apple Silicon Mac you can also run Voibe fully on-device, so nothing leaves your machine at all. Zero-retention cloud mode runs only open-source models and deletes audio the moment transcription completes. Always consult your organization's specific compliance requirements.
Are my voice recordings stored or saved anywhere?
No. Voibe immediately discards your audio the moment transcription is complete — it's never stored, sold, or used to train AI. In on-device mode the audio never leaves your Mac at all. In zero-retention cloud mode, which is how Voibe runs on Windows and Intel Macs, it travels over an encrypted connection to our speech providers, is transcribed by open-source models, and is deleted right away. Your audio is as temporary as your thoughts.