In short
Download an offline model in Zack Typing and turn on “Use offline dictation”. When there is no connection, Zack Typing then recognizes your speech on your PC, without credits. While you are online and have credits, it keeps using cloud recognition. The Small model understands German, English, Spanish and French; Medium and Large cover more languages.
- Credits
- None for offline recognition
- Languages
- Small: 4, Medium: 25 European, Large: about 100
- Used when
- No connection, service unreachable, or credits used up
- Needed once
- Sign-in and model download with internet
Step by step
- Install Zack Typing and sign in while you still have internet.
- Open the settings, choose “Advanced” and expand “Offline dictation”. Turn on “Use offline dictation”.
- Click “Download” next to a model that supports your language, then “Use” once the download is done.
- With Small, Zack Typing dictates in your first language under “General” → “Languages”; the hint below the model shows which one. Medium and Large detect the language as you speak.
- Dictate as usual with Ctrl+Space. When there is no connection, the model recognizes your speech on your PC.
Which offline model suits you?
Larger models know more languages but need more storage and processing power.
| Model | Languages | Language detection |
|---|---|---|
| Small | German, English, Spanish, French | Uses your first language |
| Medium | 25 European languages | Automatic |
| Large | About 100 languages | Automatic |
Medium and Large are not part of the free plan.
When does Zack Typing use the offline model?
- No connection: Windows reports that you are offline.
- Service unreachable: the recognition service does not answer.
- Credits used up: after “Cloud credits used up”, you choose “Set up local” and keep dictating on your PC.
Online with credits, Zack Typing uses cloud recognition even with an offline model turned on. A dictation recognized on your PC is marked “Transcribed on this device”. Once you are back online, “Transcribe in the cloud” recognizes it again with the cloud service.
What works without internet and what does not?
| Feature | Without internet |
|---|---|
| Dictating at the cursor | Yes, with an offline model |
| History of past dictations | Yes, it is stored on your PC |
| Chips such as “Improve” or “Shorten” | No, they need a connection |
| Learning new dictionary words | No, it needs a connection |
| Recording without an offline model | Kept and can be transcribed later |
What happens to your recordings with offline dictation?
When the offline model recognizes a dictation, the recording does not leave your PC. Zack Typing stores dictations and recordings on your PC, and you decide whether audio is kept and how long dictations stay. More in what happens to your recordings.
Related questions
Can I dictate offline in other languages?
Yes. Medium and Large know far more languages than Small; check that yours is included before downloading. More in dictating in several languages.
Can I use the offline model even when I am online?
Only once your credits are used up and you choose “Set up local”. Otherwise Zack Typing uses cloud recognition while you are online.