Willow Voice privacy: Privacy Mode, what is stored, and offline mode
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
Willow Voice processes your voice on cloud servers in the United States, and its security page says no audio is stored after transcription. Privacy Mode is on by default, and with it on, Willow says it keeps nothing from your sessions: no audio, no transcripts and no edits. It also lists an offline mode that runs on your device.
I make YapToText, so I am a rival with an opinion on where voices should go. The Willow facts below are from its Security page and home page, read on October 9, 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.
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What Privacy Mode changes
From Willow's Security page, read October 9, 2026.
| Setting | What Willow says happens |
|---|---|
| Privacy Mode on, the default | Nothing from your dictation sessions is kept: no audio, no transcripts, no edits. |
| Privacy Mode off | Limited dictation data may be used to improve quality, reliability and accuracy. It is never sold. |
| Enterprise, enforced | Admins can lock Privacy Mode on for the whole organization. |
The setting that matters most is already on, so the thing to watch is that it stays on.
Where your voice goes
- Cloud by default. Willow says it runs on secure cloud infrastructure in the United States, with data encrypted in transit and at rest.
- Audio discarded. Your audio is processed to make text, then discarded.
- Not for training without consent. Willow says your voice and text are not used to improve AI models without your consent.
- No advertising sharing. It says it never sells or shares data with third parties for advertising or resale.
Certifications and offline mode
- Audits. Willow lists SOC 2 Type II, and says it supports HIPAA regulated teams with Business Associate Agreements.
- Offline mode. Its home page lists an offline mode that dictates without an internet connection, powered by your device.
- What I could not find. Willow's pages I read do not say which features work in offline mode, so check before you rely on it.
A certification describes a company's controls. Whether a cloud service fits your work is still your decision, or your employer's.
YapToText, local every time
YapToText has no cloud mode to switch off. The speech model and the cleanup model live on your Mac, so every dictation is an offline dictation.
- Nothing to sign into. There is no account, and no analytics.
- Your copies, your settings. History keeps the last 500 dictations for 30 days on your Mac, and you can turn it off, or turn off saved audio, in Settings, Advanced.
- Its limits. It needs an Apple silicon Mac with macOS 14 or later, and has no iPhone or Windows app.
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 Willow Voice alternative page compares the two apps in full.
The short version
- Cloud processing. Willow transcribes on US cloud servers and discards the audio.
- Privacy Mode is on by default. With it on, nothing from your sessions is kept.
- Offline mode exists. Its pages do not say which features it covers.
- Fully local. YapToText never sends your voice anywhere.
If Willow changes these settings and this page has not caught up, open an issue on GitHub. 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://willowvoice.com/security (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://willowvoice.com (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-09)
Questions
Is Willow Voice safe?
Its security page says audio is discarded after transcription, Privacy Mode is on by default, and data is never sold. It lists SOC 2 Type II. Whether cloud dictation suits your work is your decision.
Does Willow Voice store my recordings?
Willow says no. Its security page says audio is processed to generate text and then discarded.
What is Willow Voice Privacy Mode?
A setting, on by default, under which Willow keeps nothing from your dictation sessions. With it off, limited dictation data may be used to improve the product.
Does Willow Voice work offline?
Its home page lists an offline mode powered by your device. Its pages I read do not say which features it covers.
Is there a fully local alternative to Willow Voice?
YapToText runs speech recognition and cleanup on an Apple silicon Mac, with no account and no cloud. It is free.