On-Device vs Cloud Transcription

When building a voice engine, the first major architectural decision you have to make is where the audio processing will happen. For most modern transcription apps, the answer is simple: send it to the cloud. It's fast, easy to scale, and allows you to use massive, resource-heavy models.

But at Dicty, we decided to take the harder path. We prioritized on-device, local transcription. Here is why.

The Privacy Imperative#

Dicty is built for engineers. Engineers work with proprietary codebases, unreleased product features, and sensitive architectural decisions.

Sending a recording of a highly confidential architectural review meeting to a third-party cloud server is simply a non-starter for most serious tech companies. By processing the audio entirely locally using optimized Whisper models, we can guarantee that your data never leaves your laptop.

Speed and Latency#

Cloud transcription requires a constant, stable internet connection. If you are on an airplane, working in a cafe with spotty Wi-Fi, or simply dealing with latency, cloud dictation can become a frustrating experience.

Local models eliminate network latency entirely. The moment you stop speaking, the transcription process begins instantly on your local hardware.

The Future is Local#

With the rapid advancements in Apple Silicon (M-series chips) and open-source models, local transcription is no longer a compromise on accuracy. We can now run highly accurate, multi-lingual models directly on your machine that rival the best cloud APIs available just a few years ago.

While Dicty still supports Cloud APIs for users who want absolute maximum accuracy or massive LLM formatting, our core philosophy remains the same: local first, cloud optional.