System requirements
Will CaringDictate work on your computer?
Almost certainly yes. If your computer can run modern Chrome or Edge comfortably, it can run CaringDictate. Below is the honest detail.
A quick decision tree
Three questions and you'll know.
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Question 1
Do you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer?
- Yes — Windows 10 or 11. Move on to Question 2.
- No — I have a Mac, Chromebook, iPad, or older Windows. CaringDictate doesn't run on your computer yet. Sign up for the Mac waitlist below.
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Question 2
Is your computer from roughly the last 10 years?
- Yes — 2015 or newer. CaringDictate will run well. Go to Question 3.
- Not sure / older than 2015. CaringDictate may still work, but accuracy and speed may suffer. The 30-day refund exists for exactly this — try it and we'll refund if it doesn't perform well.
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Question 3
Do you have at least 2 GB of free disk space and a working microphone?
- Yes. You're good. CaringDictate will install and run.
- I'm not sure. Almost every Windows laptop has a built-in microphone. Free up 2 GB of disk space by emptying your Downloads folder or Trash — that's usually enough.
The full table
Honest minimum and recommended specs.
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system Older Windows 10 versions before 1903 are not supported because the speech engine needs the modern Windows audio stack. | Windows 10 (64-bit), version 1903 or newer | Windows 11 |
| CPU The voice model runs entirely on the CPU. Modern CPUs produce text in real time; older CPUs (2015–2018) may show a 1–2 second delay before words appear. | Any 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU from 2015 or later | A CPU from the last 5 years for best transcription latency |
| RAM CaringDictate itself uses about 800 MB of RAM while running. | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Disk space The voice model is downloaded on first run and takes about 1.5 GB. Updates may temporarily need more space. | 2 GB free | 4 GB free |
| GPU CaringDictate does not use the GPU. Integrated graphics, dedicated GPU, no GPU at all — none of it changes how the app runs. | Not required | Not used |
| Microphone Bluetooth headphones also work, but typically with slightly higher latency than wired. Your computer's built-in mic is fine for most people. | Any built-in laptop mic, USB headset, or USB desktop mic | A headset mic for the best accuracy on quiet voices |
| Internet After install + first run, CaringDictate works completely offline. No data is sent to any server during dictation. | Required for first-run model download (about 1.5 GB) and license activation | Required only for the first run |
Mac and Linux
Coming next: a native Mac version.
We're actively building CaringDictate for macOS. Native voice typing on Mac, same one-time price, same privacy guarantees — using Apple's actual speech APIs the way they should be used. Linux is on the roadmap after that.
If you want an email the moment the Mac version ships, leave your address below. We send one email at launch — no marketing list, no nagging.
We use your email only for the Mac launch announcement. One email, then we delete the address.
System requirements FAQ
Common questions about hardware and compatibility.
Will it work on Windows 8 or Windows 7?
No, sorry. CaringDictate uses parts of the Windows speech and audio APIs that only exist in Windows 10 (build 1903+) and Windows 11. If you're still on Windows 7 or 8, the underlying OS has been past end-of-support since January 2020, which means it isn't getting security patches either — please consider a free upgrade to Windows 10 or 11 if your hardware allows.
Will this work on my Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android phone?
Not yet. CaringDictate is Windows-only right now. We are actively working on a Mac version — sign up for the Mac waitlist at the bottom of this page if you would like to be notified. Linux is on the roadmap after Mac. iOS and Android are not currently planned because Apple Dictation and Google Voice Typing already work well on those platforms.
Will it work on a 10-year-old computer?
Almost always yes. The voice model is light enough to run on CPUs as old as 2015. You may see a 1–2 second delay between when you finish a sentence and when text appears — slower than a brand-new laptop, but still fast enough to be useful. If your computer can run modern Chrome or Edge comfortably, it can run CaringDictate.
Will it work alongside my screen reader (NVDA / JAWS / Narrator)?
Yes. CaringDictate types into focused text fields the same way the keyboard does — your screen reader sees the new text and reads it back, just like if you had typed it. We test against NVDA on every release.
Will it work with my hearing-aid microphone?
Sometimes. Many modern hearing aids include a microphone that pipes back to your computer over Bluetooth. CaringDictate will use whatever input device Windows is currently routed to. Quality varies — some hearing-aid mics produce noisy input that drops accuracy. If you try it and accuracy is poor, the 30-day refund applies.
Does it use my GPU? Does it need an NVIDIA card?
No. The voice model runs entirely on the CPU — your graphics card is never touched. Integrated graphics, dedicated GPU, gaming PC, business laptop — same behavior.
Does it need an internet connection?
Only for the first run (to download the voice model) and once per year to validate the license. Day-to-day dictation works entirely offline — your voice never leaves your computer. We have customers who use CaringDictate on travel laptops with airplane-mode all the time.
Will it slow down my computer?
CaringDictate is idle when you are not dictating — it sits in the background waiting for your hotkey. While dictating, it uses about one CPU core. You can use it alongside Word, Outlook, Chrome, Zoom, Photoshop, anything — same as any other Windows app.
Ready to try it?
The free trial answers compatibility doubt.
Download it, install it, and see how it runs on your computer — free for seven days, no card needed. And if you buy and anything is off, we refund the full $49 inside 30 days — no friction.
Free 7-day trial. $49 once to keep it. 30-day money-back guarantee.