What it does
Hex is a voice dictation app for Mac, Windows and Linux. You hold a keyboard shortcut, speak, and let go. Hex turns your speech into text and pastes it into whatever app you are using.
The speech-to-text work happens on your own computer. The first time you run it, Hex downloads a speech model (the AI that recognises words). After that, the makers say nothing leaves your machine.
There is a stable version and a newer "Dev" version that updates itself. Experimental features are kept in a section called Labs, at the bottom of the app's sidebar.
Who it's for
Anyone who would rather speak than type, and wants dictation that keeps their voice private on their own computer.
Can I use it without coding?
Yes. You download a ready-made installer for your computer and use it with a keyboard shortcut. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Privacy
- Runs on your own device: your data stays with you
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Download the installer for your computer (Mac, Windows or Linux) from the project's download links.
- Open Hex and let it download its speech model on the first run.
- Hold the shortcut key, speak, then let go to paste your words into any app.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- Plain-AyI is an independent guide and doesn't host or review the software it lists. Please check each project's official page before installing.
- License (MIT): Very permissive: free to use, change and share, including for business.
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