Handy

Free

Free open-source desktop application for voice input, fully offline.

Handy

Overview

Handy.

Description of the neural network Handy

Handy is a free open source desktop application intended for voice input of text . Its main feature is completely offline work. : Speech recognition is performed Right on the computer, Voice data is not sent to the cloud. Pressed. The user dictates the text, and it instantly appears. in an active text field.

The application supports many recognition models , including Russian-language GigaAM from Sber Maintains a history of records and allows you to adjust flexibly key combinations and method of input . Handy is conceived as an open foundation which, if desired, can be adapted to its own tasks.

Handy characteristics

CharacteristicsValue
TypeVoice input tool / audio transcription
CategoriesSpeech recognition speech-in-text , developer tools
PlatformsmacOS (Intel) Apple Silicon, Windows (x64, ARM) Linux (x64, ARM) ), CLI
Russian languageYes
Russian interfaceYes
Need a VPNNo
LicenseMIT open-ended reference code)
The Last Releasev0.9.4, 21 July 2026
RepositoryGitHub 27.2 thousand stars, 2.4 thousand forks
Business modelFree, no subscriptions
Data processingLocal , on the user device

For whom is the Handy neural network suitable?

People who find it difficult to print with their hands

The tool will be useful to people. by which Uncomfortable or temporarily impossible to print due to hand injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome (RSI) ). Dictatorship allows you to continue working even then. when Normal typing is difficult.

Developers and authors of texts

Handy will come in handy. developers for quick prompt dictation tools like Claude Code, and journalists and authors People who want to create voices in high-speed.

Privacy advocates

The application is suitable for everyone who are looking for a local alternative to cloud-based transcription services and don’t want to send their voice to the public Third-party servers.

How to use the Handy neural network?

##Setting up before starting work

To start, you need to select a recognition model. from integrated catalogue ( GigaAM is recommended for Russian language, set up the microphone and determine the way to insert text - through the clipboard or direct input.

Activation modes

Two modes available : you can press the set-up key combination and talk press the key once to start and stop recording. Maintained and push-to-talk.

Enter the text

After pronouncing the phrase and releasing the keys, Handy inserts the recognized text into any text field where the cursor is located - in browser , code editor or messenger.

Main functions of Handy

Offline recognition and text entry

The program recognizes speech completely locally and enters text into any active field using a push-to-talk. Management is under way customizable keyboards.

Recognition model catalog

Built-in catalogue contains many models : Whisper, Parakeet Nemotron, Voxtral Qwen3-ASR, Cohere Transcribe, Canary and GigaAM. They compare. precisely speed supported Languages and size.

Additional possibility

Silero VAD filter cuts silence and pauses Record history is provided with an audio player and storage and autodeletion settings, and User dictionary allows you to correct recognition errors. Interface translated to Russian language, and CLI-flags allow you to control the application from scripts.

Benefits of Handy

Privacy and full offline work

The sound does not leave the computer: all recognition is performed locally, without the Internet and sending voice to Third-party servers.

##Freedom and open source

Annex circulates free of charge . The MIT license allows you to fork and modify the code to your needs.

Support Russian

For Russian in the catalog there is GigaAM from Sber with box-on eh The interface itself is fully translated into Russian . A wide range of models – from lightweight Parakeet to multilingual Whisper – covers different scenarios.

##Active development

The project is developing : Releases are issued regularly, conducted public list famous problems.

Handy's flaws

##Entry threshold for beginners

On the first run, the program does not offer a default model. And the newcomer has to. Choose one and a half dozen options.

Instability and features of platforms

Whisper models periodically fall on Windows and Linux – this is a recognized bug. On Linux with Wayland, you need to install wtype or dotool to insert text correctly.

Language restrictions

GigaAM can only recognize Russian Therefore, for mixed Russian-English texture manually switch to another model.

What tasks does Handy solve

##Introduction of text by voice

The tool converts voice into text and pastes it into any field – a browser, code editor or messenger.

Local transcription

Handy allows you to transcribe audio completely locally, without sending data The cloud.

####Support for workers processes

The app helps Create drafts of texts using voice and dictate prompts for developer tools such Like Claude Code.

Handy prices

Handy spreads totally free. Paid tariff , subscriptions or restrictions No time of use. The project exists. sponsored support and voluntary donates via Stripe GitHub Sponsors, PayPal , Buy Me a Coffee and Ko-fi.

Terms of use of Handy

Registration No need. The tool spreads. open source under the MIT license, which gives freedom to learn , use and refine it. All data. processed locally on the user's device.

Handy availability

Handy works. on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows (x64 and ARM) and Linux (x64 and ARM, in) AppImage format , deb and rpm. On macOS, the application is installed via Homebrew On Windows, via winget. VPN is not needed The interface is translated into Russian. A CLI version for management is also available. from scripts and autoplay.

What distinguishes Handy from analogues

Handy's here. because what The author didn't find a ready vocal insertion which It would be open and easy to refine. . Unlike closed ones. products, Handy is conceived as the basis for a fork Thanks to the MIT license, users can customize it for their own tasks. The main differences are full offline work without sending voice to the cloud, free of charge. embedded Russian-language support GigaAM models.

Conclusion

Handy is free. Offline open source voice input tool which especially convenient for Russian speakers Users supported by GigaAM and fully Russian interface . He'll be fine. Who appreciates privacy and is willing to deal with settings sometimes but not suitable for users Those who want to get “working” from box “Service without any setup action.”.

Voice text input into any input fields
Offline dictation
Computer typing automation

Frequently asked questions

See also

Handy — review of the voice input neural network and its capabilities