How to use Monologue on a Mac: set it up, dictate, and choose modes, languages and local processing
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
Monologue is a dictation app for the Mac, iPhone and iPad from Every. On a Mac you install it from monologue.to, sign in, and grant Microphone and Accessibility. Then hold the right Option key while you speak and release it to finish. By default it transcribes and cleans up through Monologue's online service. A Local mode on Apple silicon transcribes on the Mac, though the cleanup step still goes online.
I built YapToText, a dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about Monologue with that in mind. Every fact about Monologue here comes from its own documentation at monologue.to, read on October 11, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
On this page: 9 sections
Set it up
- Download Monologue from monologue.to.
- Move it to Applications and open it.
- Sign in, and follow the setup guide in the app.
- Grant the permissions it asks for.
From Monologue's Mac setup guide, read October 11, 2026.
| Permission | Needed | What Monologue says it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Yes | Recording your voice while you dictate |
| Accessibility | Yes, for automatic pasting | Inserting text into the app in front, and listening for your shortcut |
| Screen Recording | Optional | Richer on-screen context when Deep Context is on. You can choose Not now |
Use the same sign-in method on every device. After changing Accessibility or Screen Recording access, quit and reopen Monologue.
Dictate
- Put the cursor in a text field.
- Hold the right Option key and speak.
- Release it.
- Keep that app in front until the text appears.
For a longer thought, use a hands-free shortcut: tap once to start and again to finish. Push-to-talk and hands-free shortcuts are set separately under Settings, Dictation. Monologue says you do not need to speak commands: it cleans up punctuation, casing, filler words and false starts according to the selected mode.
Shortcuts worth setting
- Push to talk. Right Option by default. You can record another modifier, a combination, a function key or a supported mouse button. Left and right modifiers are treated as different keys.
- Hands-free. Its own binding, keyboard or mouse.
- Cancel dictation. Stops the recording without inserting anything.
- Mode picker. While dictating, tap right Shift to choose a mode.
- Paste last transcript. Inserts the most recent result again, without replacing what is on your clipboard.
Right Option can clash with keyboard layouts that use Option for special characters, and with other apps that claim it. If so, bind the other side or a combination.
Modes
A mode tells Monologue how to rewrite a dictation. Pick one under Customization, or with the mode picker.
- By app or website. A mode can switch on automatically for chosen apps or site domains.
- Auto enter. Presses a send key after processing. Monologue says to leave it off for email, forms and terminals.
- Blazing Fast. Favors speed and skips the smart cleanup, so filler words and rough punctuation may remain.
- Instructions. Describe the output you want in a sentence or two, and keep names in the dictionary.
Languages, and what Local means
Under Settings, Dictation, Recording languages, choose Auto Detect or up to three languages you speak. If detection picks wrong, select only your languages.
From Monologue's page on languages and processing models, read October 11, 2026.
| Transcription source | Where the speech goes | Cleanup |
|---|---|---|
| Remote, the default | Monologue's processing service | Smart formatting, online |
| Local, on Apple silicon | Transcribed on the Mac | Smart cleanup still uses Monologue's online service |
Monologue puts it plainly: local does not mean every step is offline. Without a connection, Local gives a raw transcript, not the polished one. It also says Local may be less accurate than remote.
Dictionary and history
- Dictionary. Add a word as you want it written, with a replacement when the spoken and written forms differ. It can import dictionaries from Aqua Voice, Wispr Flow, superwhisper and Willow Voice.
- History. On the Home screen. Copy a result, play the audio, retry after a failure, or delete it.
- Indicator. Classic, Mini or None, under Settings, Dictation, Indicator.
Monologue and YapToText
Monologue from its docs and pricing page, read October 5 and 11, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| Monologue | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | A trial of 1,000 words, then Pro at $15 a month or $144 a year | Free, no paid tier |
| Default trigger | Hold right Option | Tap Right Command |
| Transcription | Online by default. Local on Apple silicon | On the Mac |
| Cleanup | Online, in both modes | On the Mac |
| Account | Required | None |
| Devices | Mac, iPhone and iPad | Apple silicon Macs |
Monologue is the better fit if you want the same dictation on an iPhone and iPad, or its Voice Notes for meetings. YapToText fits if you want transcription and cleanup both to stay on the Mac, for free. The Monologue alternative page compares them in full, and the troubleshooting page covers failures.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Dictate. Hold right Option, speak, release.
- Hands-free. A separate shortcut, tapped to start and stop.
- Modes. Tap right Shift while dictating to pick one.
- Local mode. Speech on the Mac, cleanup still online.
- Lost a paste. Paste last transcript, or History.
If Monologue changes these steps, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/getting-started/mac (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/getting-started/first-dictation (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/dictation/shortcuts (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/dictation/languages-and-models (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/personalize/modes-and-instructions (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/personalize/dictionary (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/dictation/history (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/docs/dictation/mac-preferences (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://www.monologue.to/pricing (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
How do I use Monologue on a Mac?
Install it from monologue.to, sign in, grant Microphone and Accessibility, then hold the right Option key while speaking and release to finish.
What is the Monologue shortcut?
Right Option by default, held as push to talk. A separate hands-free shortcut is tapped once to start and once to stop.
Does Monologue work offline?
Local mode on an Apple silicon Mac can produce a raw transcript without a connection. Monologue says smart cleanup still uses its online service.
Does Monologue need Screen Recording permission?
No. Monologue says it is optional, for richer context when Deep Context is on. Microphone and Accessibility are the core permissions.
Can I import my dictionary into Monologue?
Yes. Its docs say it can import dictionaries from Aqua Voice, Wispr Flow, superwhisper and Willow Voice.