Your productivity tools don't need to know everything about you. Here are Mac apps that work locally and respect your privacy.
Voice & Dictation
- Sotto: Local Whisper transcription, no cloud required
- MacWhisper: File-based transcription with local processing
Note-Taking
- Obsidian: Local markdown files, optional sync
- Apple Notes: Local + iCloud (Apple's encryption)
- Bear: Local database with iCloud sync option
Screenshots & Recording
- CleanShot X: Screenshots saved locally
- OBS: Open-source recording, no cloud
Passwords
- Apple Keychain: System-integrated, E2E encrypted
- KeePassXC: Open-source, fully local
Why Privacy Matters
Every cloud service is a potential breach vector. Every "free" tool monetizes your data somehow. Local-first software eliminates these concerns entirely.
Privacy-First Dictation
Sotto processes everything locally. Your voice stays on your Mac. $29 once.
Get Sotto