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Privacy overview

Where your words go.In plain language.

How Presto handles what you say, mode by mode. This is an overview, not a legal privacy policy.

The short version

  • In Local mode, speech recognition and cleanup run on your Mac and it works offline.
  • In Cloud mode, audio goes to a cloud speech provider, and text goes to a cloud writing model when it needs cleanup.
  • In Both mode, audio stays on your Mac; easy text stays local and harder text can get cloud help.
  • Your history is encrypted on your Mac.
  • Analytics are off unless you opt in, and never include what you say.
  • Your early access email is used only to contact you about Presto.

What stays on your Mac, by mode

Comparison of Local, Cloud and Both modes
TopicLocalCloudBoth
Your audioStays on your MacSent to a cloud speech providerStays on your Mac
Speech recognitionOn your MacCloud speech providerOn your Mac
Text cleanupOn your MacCloud writing model, when text needs cleanupEasy text on your Mac; harder text can get cloud help
Download1.37 GB model, onceNone1.37 GB model, once
InternetNot needed, works offlineRequiredOnly when text gets cloud help

Exact edits to highlighted text, like saying “make that four” to change 5:00 to 4:00, run on your Mac with no model involved, whichever mode you use.

In Cloud mode, what goes where

  1. Your audio is sent to a cloud speech provider, which turns it into text.
  2. If that text needs cleanup, such as resolving a correction or formatting an email, it’s sent to a cloud writing model.
  3. The finished text is inserted into the app you’re using. Presto never presses Send or Return.

Cloud mode needs an internet connection. If you’d rather keep audio on your Mac, use Local or Both.

History

Your dictation history is stored encrypted on your Mac.

Analytics are opt-in

Analytics are off unless you turn them on. If you do, Presto only sends events from a fixed allowlist. That allowlist never includes:

  • Transcripts or anything you say
  • Audio
  • Your email address
  • File names

This website

The website counts visits anonymously with PostHog (EU), without cookies or anything saved in your browser. It records which sections are viewed and whether the demo, download or early-access buttons are used, never what you say in the demo or the email address you type.

Early access emails

When you join early access, we store your email address only to contact you about Presto. To be removed, reply to any email from us and ask.