# Yap

> Yap converts speech to text locally for developers. This free, open-source macOS dictation tool uses Apple's on-device SpeechAnalyzer API, requiring no network calls or large models.

- Type: AI tool
- Page: https://completeaitraining.com/ai-tools/yap/
- Published: 2026-07-29
- Updated: 2026-07-31
- Author: Jeroen Erne
- Jobs: IT and development
- Topics: Speech-To-Text, Apple iOS Mac, Open Source, Privacy, Developer Tools
- AI tools: GitHub
- Reading time: 2 min

### About Yap

Yap is an open-source voice dictation app for macOS that converts speech to text in any text field. It uses the on-device SpeechAnalyzer API introduced in macOS 26, so no internet connection or model download is required. The app is a 4 MB Swift binary, licensed under MIT, and built by Frigade.

### Review

With Yap, you set a hotkey, talk, press it again, and the words land in whatever you were typing. The entire process stays on the Mac; no network calls happen. It's a stripped-down alternative to heavier dictation tools that often bundle browser engines or require subscriptions.

#### Key Features

- Hotkey toggles dictation on and off; transcribed text pastes directly into the focused text field.
- On-device speech recognition using Apple's SpeechAnalyzer - no model download, no internet required.
- Clipboard contents remain untouched; the app restores any previous clipboard after insertion.
- Small resource footprint: the app file is 4 MB, and memory usage idles around 60 MB.
- Open-source codebase (MIT license) and free to use.

#### Pricing and Value

Yap is free software. There is no paid version, subscription, or in-app purchase. You can download it from the project's GitHub page or website and use it without restrictions.

#### Pros

- Dictation works offline, and no audio data leaves the device.
- Hotkey-based insertion feels quick and doesn't disrupt the workflow.
- The app preserves the clipboard, so you won't lose copied content.
- Memory and storage usage are minimal, even on older Macs.
- The source code is available for anyone to audit or modify.

#### Cons

- Raw transcription lacks grammar or fluency editing; you get exactly what you said, including verbal pauses (though the latest update reduces some of them).
- Accuracy and language support are tied to Apple's on-device dictation; languages with weak offline support will produce less reliable results.
- Not well suited for dictating into password prompts, sudo dialogs, or other secure text fields where macOS blocks assistive paste.

Yap is a practical tool for quick notes, short messages, and emails where privacy and speed outweigh the need for polished text. Users who rely on dictation for long-form writing with automatic grammar correction or

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