Quobi
Quobi: Free, offline dictation for Windows and Linux with local cleanup and cursor insertion. Ranked #17 of 23 in Ai Dictation Apps by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free offline dictation on Windows or Linux.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree offline dictation on Windows or Linux
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Offline dictationYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Runs speech recognition and text cleanup on-device, including offline
- Offers Verbatim, Tidy, and Formatted output styles
- Converts spoken shorthand and inserts text at the cursor
Where it doesn't
- Available downloads are limited to Windows and Linux
- Android is still in development
- Dictation is started with a hotkey rather than continuous listening
Our verdict on Quobi
Quobi is a free, open-source desktop dictation app for people who want to speak text into other applications on Windows or Linux. Its workflow is push-to-talk: hold a hotkey, dictate, and have the resulting text inserted at the cursor. The product is suited to solo users and small teams who want offline dictation without creating an account, and who prefer local processing over sending audio to a server. It is less suitable for someone who needs a mobile app today or expects dictation to run continuously without a deliberate hotkey action.
The main distinction is that Quobi combines transcription with local text cleanup. Users can choose Verbatim, Tidy, or Formatted output, and the app can remove fillers and handle punctuation. Spoken shorthand can expand into items such as email addresses and editing cues. Voice commands include “Scratch that,” which removes the last paste. This makes it more than a speech-to-text capture tool: it covers a compact editing-and-insertion workflow while keeping recognition and cleanup on the device. Buyers who want local dictation with quick formatting controls may find that focused scope a good fit; those seeking broader writing assistance should compare alternatives.
Quobi is presented as free under AGPL-3.0, with no account required, so there are no paid tiers to weigh in the published offering. Downloads are listed for Windows and Linux; Android is described as in development, not as an available platform. That desktop-only reach is a practical constraint for people who dictate across phone and computer, and the hotkey-led workflow favors short, intentional dictation over hands-free continuous input. Choose Quobi for free offline desktop dictation and cursor insertion; look elsewhere if mobile availability or a different interaction model is essential.
Questions about Quobi
Does Quobi have a free plan? Yes, there is a free plan.
What does Quobi run on? Windows and Linux. It runs as a desktop app.
Who is Quobi built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test Quobi in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Quobi pricing
All 1 Quobi plans and prices →
Quobi fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Linux, Windows; Android listed as in development |
| Transcription languages | Not verified |
| Offline dictation | Yes |
| Custom vocabulary | Not verified |
| AI rewrite tools | Yes |
| Voice commands | Yes |
| Meeting recording | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | quobi.ai |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Quobi
- Dragon ProfessionalA Windows desktop dictation tool with voice commands, macros, and recorded-audio transcription.9.3
- Dragon LegalLegal-focused Windows dictation with citation formatting, macros, and batch transcription.9.0
- Wispr FlowCross-platform dictation with 100+ languages, editing commands, and team controls.8.8
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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