Listen Orb
Free trialApple silicon · macOS 13+

Custom vocabulary dictation for Mac

Write names, brands, and technical terms your way.

Teach Listen Orb a preferred written form and the ways you naturally pronounce it. Then hold Fn and dictate into the Mac apps where you already work.

Download free trialApple silicon · macOS 13 Ventura or laterBuy — $69 launch price through August 31

14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through August 31

Custom vocabulary

One preferred form can have more than one spoken form.

Vocabulary entry

Preferred form
McAllister
Spoken forms
mick allistermac allister

Spoken

“Send the revised launch notes to mick allister.”

Inserted

Send the revised launch notes to McAllister.

Made for technical terms

Teach a spoken form such as “post gress Q L” for PostgreSQL. Vocabulary replacements are designed to avoid recognized code, commands, URLs, email addresses, handles, identifiers, and paths.

Spoken forms are not sent to OpenAI. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.

How it works

Guide how preferred spellings appear.

You add, edit, and remove every entry.

Preferred written form

Store the exact capitalization and spelling you want inserted, such as McAllister, PostgreSQL, or a product name.

Multiple spoken forms

Attach the pronunciations you actually use. Listen Orb does not send them to OpenAI, and each can map to one preferred form.

Works with polish

Preferred spellings are applied after optional polish.

Careful with technical text

Vocabulary replacements are designed to avoid recognized code, commands, URLs, email addresses, handles, identifiers, and paths. Results can vary.

Import or export

Export a private JSON copy. Import can merge new entries and spoken forms or replace your current vocabulary after validation.

Privacy

Spoken forms are not sent to OpenAI.

Vocabulary exports include them and are saved wherever you choose. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.

  1. 01

    Your Mac

    Listen Orb records only while you dictate. Your OpenAI key is stored in Keychain. Settings and vocabulary stay on your Mac.

  2. 02

    OpenAI, using your key

    Audio goes directly to OpenAI using your key. Preferred terms may be sent as hints. Contextual polish may also send a short nearby-text excerpt. OpenAI bills your API project.

  3. 03

    Text at the cursor

    Finished text returns to Listen Orb and appears in the active field.

Try before you buy

Try the full vocabulary workflow before buying.

Simple ownership

One-time license. No subscription.

Try every feature for 14 days with no card. One license works on up to 3 Macs.

Pay once for the Mac app. There is no recurring Listen Orb fee.

Pay OpenAI for what you use. Usage-based API billing can cost less than a fixed dictation subscription. Your actual cost depends on how much you dictate and the model you use. ChatGPT subscriptions do not include API usage.

Try it in the apps you already use

Add a term. Dictate the next sentence.

Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.

Download free trialApple silicon · macOS 13 Ventura or laterOr buy — $69 launch price through August 31

Explore Listen Orb

More ways to use it.

Custom Vocabulary Dictation for Mac — Listen Orb