Frequently asked questions
Does Sayburst work offline?
Yes. After you download a speech model once, transcription and cleanup run entirely on your Mac with no internet connection. A purchased license keeps working offline for up to 60 days between license checks.
Is my voice sent anywhere?
No. Audio is processed on your Mac and is never uploaded by Sayburst. If you connect a cloud writing provider, only the transcribed text (and any context you turn on) goes to that provider — never audio.
Which apps does it work with?
Any app where you can type and paste: Mail, Messages, Slack, Notes, Google Docs in a browser, Word, ChatGPT and Claude, code editors, and so on. Sayburst pastes into the focused text field and restores your clipboard afterwards. Apps that block pasting won't accept it.
Which languages are supported?
Parakeet v3, the default, covers English and 24 European languages including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish and Ukrainian. Whisper models cover 99 languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi and Arabic.
What Mac do I need?
A Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Intel Macs aren't supported.
How is this different from Apple Dictation?
Apple Dictation is free and built in, and shows text live as you speak. Sayburst adds hold-to-talk, cleanup of fillers and repeats, writing modes per app, custom vocabulary and replacements, searchable history and recovery, file transcription, and optional rewriting with a model you choose.
What happens if text can't be typed?
Sayburst keeps it. The overlay explains why (for example, you switched apps) and offers Copy and Paste here. Your last dictation is also in the menu bar, in History, and one shortcut away (⌃⌥⌘V).
Do I need an AI provider or API key?
No. Transcription and cleanup work without any provider. Providers are optional, for polishing, rewriting selected text, and asking questions. You can run one locally with Ollama or LM Studio, or bring your own cloud API key.
How much does it cost?
Sayburst is free for 7 days. Then it's a one-time purchase: $29 for one Mac or $49 for up to three, including every 1.x update. There's no subscription.
Can I move my license to a new Mac?
Yes. Deactivate the old Mac in Sayburst's settings or on the license page, then activate the new one. If the old Mac is gone, choose it as the one to replace when you activate.
What happens after the trial?
New dictations stop until you activate a license. Everything you made — history, notes, exports, settings — stays available.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, within 14 days of purchase. Reply to your receipt email or write to support.