Talk to your computer without talking out loud is built by The Subvocal Company as "Subvocal" — a tool for silent text input on your computer at the speed of speech, found at subvocal.company. It's currently in pre-order/early access, and no pricing is listed; the site only lets you reserve a spot.
Because Subvocal isn't shipping or priced yet, here are seven alternatives that already work today — one that's genuinely silent, and several offline/private voice-to-text tools that get close to the same job.
Comparison table
| Product | Free tier | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel Mode | Yes | Free | Truly silent, no-speaking communication |
| Levitan | Yes | Free | Private, on-device voice typing |
| Free Voice To Text | Yes | Free | No-frills offline transcription |
| Local-Dictate | Yes | Free | Windows users wanting open-source dictation |
| Pomvox | Yes | Free | Mac users wanting open-source dictation |
| Bzz | Yes | $4/mo | Local dictation plus optional AI polish |
| SwapVoice | No | Not stated | Offline dictation with smart triggers |
Pixel Mode
Pixel Mode (site) flashes bold text on your screen so you can communicate without making a sound — the closest match to "talking without talking out loud" of anything here. It runs in any browser as a single HTML file, with no login or install. It's free, with a free tier stated and no price given since there isn't one. Best for quick, silent messages to someone nearby rather than dictating text into other apps. Limitation: it's a display tool for silent communication, not a system-wide text-input method, and it launched with zero votes so far.
Levitan
Levitan (site) is a free, on-device voice-to-text tool: you speak, it types, with no subscription, minute limits, or per-phrase charges. It's source-available under a PolyForm Noncommercial license, so commercial use needs a separate license. Good fit for privacy-conscious personal use where speaking aloud is acceptable. Limitation: it requires audible speech, so it doesn't solve the "silent" part of the job the way Subvocal claims to, and commercial users face licensing restrictions.
Free Voice To Text
Free Voice To Text (site) is described as a "forever free" offline AI transcription tool with no subscription, no credit card, and unlimited use. It suits anyone wanting a simple, no-cost dictation option without sign-up friction. Limitation: like other voice tools here, it needs you to speak out loud, which is the opposite of Subvocal's silent-input pitch, and no further feature detail is stated beyond transcription.
Local-Dictate
Local-Dictate (site) is a free, open-source dictation tool positioned as a Windows alternative to WisprFlow, with no subscription, usage limits, or account required. It fits Windows users who want a permanent, no-cost offline option. Limitation: it's Windows-only, so it won't help Mac or mobile users, and it still relies on spoken input rather than silent text entry.
Pomvox
Pomvox (site) is a free, open-source voice dictation app for macOS that runs fully on-device, with no paid tiers. It's a good fit for Mac users who want local, private dictation without cost. Limitation: it's macOS-only and, as with the other dictation tools, requires speaking aloud rather than offering silent input.
Bzz
Bzz (site) is local-first dictation software with optional AI polish features; it's free until Labor Day, then stated to start around $4–8/month. It suits users who want dictation now with the option to add AI cleanup later. Limitation: after the free period it becomes a paid product, and the exact ongoing price isn't firmly fixed in the stated range.
SwapVoice
SwapVoice (site) is an offline voice-to-text app with smart triggers, distributed via the Microsoft Store, with a one-time fee and a stated 50% launch discount for September 2025. It fits Windows users wanting paid, offline dictation with automation features. Limitation: the actual USD price isn't stated, and like the other voice tools, it requires speaking rather than silent input.
How to choose
If silence itself is the requirement, Pixel Mode is the only option here that doesn't need you to speak. If you're fine speaking quietly but want privacy and zero cost, Levitan, Free Voice To Text, Local-Dictate, or Pomvox cover Windows and Mac for free. If you want extra polish or automation and don't mind paying, look at Bzz or SwapVoice. If you specifically want Subvocal's silent, speech-speed input, it's not available to buy yet — only to pre-order.
FAQ
Is Subvocal available to buy now? No, it's in pre-order/early access with no pricing listed.
Which alternative is actually silent, like Subvocal claims to be? Pixel Mode, since it displays text on screen instead of requiring speech.
Are the voice-to-text alternatives private? Most are stated to run offline or on-device, per their listed descriptions.