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FnKey

FnKey

macOS dictation with Deepgram stream

Website github.com
Overview

What it is

A tiny Rust menu bar app for macOS. Hold Fn to activate the mic, speak, release to paste. Audio streams to Deepgram Nova-3 in real time — no batch delay. Falls back to Groq Whisper. Open source, free.

Intent

I need it when

Seamlessly integrate voice transcription into existing macOS workflows without complex setup

FnKey is a lightweight menu bar app that requires minimal configuration: download, set API keys, grant system permissions, and start using. It integrates natively with macOS permissions (Input Monitoring, Microphone, Accessibility) and works with any application that accepts pasted text.

Maintain privacy by only activating microphone when explicitly needed

FnKey's design activates the microphone only while the Fn key is held down, showing a yellow macOS indicator as confirmation. This prevents constant background listening and gives users explicit control over when voice input is captured.

Improve transcription accuracy for domain-specific terminology and proper nouns

FnKey supports custom keywords configuration that users can edit via the menu bar. Keywords are sent to Deepgram as keyterms or to Groq as prompt hints, helping the transcription engine correctly recognize specialized terms, technical jargon, and proper names.

Use voice input as a productivity tool without paying for commercial software

FnKey is free, open-source software distributed under GPL-3.0. Users only pay for transcription API usage (Deepgram offers $200 free credit; Groq provides free tier), making it a cost-effective alternative to commercial dictation tools.

Quickly transcribe spoken words and insert them into any application without manual typing

FnKey lets users hold the Fn key, speak naturally, and automatically paste transcribed text into their active application. Real-time streaming via Deepgram Nova-3 provides fast, accurate transcription with smart formatting and punctuation, eliminating manual typing effort.

Drop

Not a fit when

  • User requires Windows or Linux operating system support; FnKey is macOS-only
  • User needs always-on voice transcription without manual key activation
  • User requires commercial support or SLA guarantees; FnKey is community-maintained open source
  • User cannot configure API keys for Deepgram or Groq transcription services
  • User needs transcription without internet connectivity; FnKey requires cloud-based transcription backends
Commercials

Pricing

Free, open-source software