# Choose how speech is transcribed: Cloud or Local

> Choose Cloud (OpenAI Whisper with your own key) or Local (on your computer, no key) to turn speech into text for hold to talk and voice notes.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/ai-voice-transcription
Section: Plexii assistant > Talk to Plexii
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

Whenever PlexiDesk turns your speech into text, it uses one of two transcription options. **Cloud** sends the recording to OpenAI's Whisper service using your own OpenAI key. **Local** transcribes on your own computer, with no key and nothing sent anywhere. You choose once, in **Settings** > **AI**, and the choice applies to hold to talk, voice notes and the Transcribe widget.

## Before you start

- **Every plan** includes both options.
- **Cloud needs your own OpenAI key.** Add it in **Settings** > **AI**, under **AI · API keys**. OpenAI charges your OpenAI account for transcription by the minute. See [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys).
- **Local needs a one-time download.** The first time you choose it, PlexiDesk downloads the speech model, so you need to be online. After that it works offline.
- **The choice belongs to this computer.** Set it on each computer you use.

## Which one to choose

| | **Cloud** | **Local** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shown as | OpenAI Whisper · fastest · paid per minute | Whisper tiny · offline · free |
| Needs | Your own OpenAI key | A one-time download |
| Where your audio goes | To OpenAI, with your key | Stays on your computer |
| Works offline | No | Yes, once downloaded |
| Cost | Charged by OpenAI to your OpenAI account | Free |

New installs start on **Cloud**. If you have no OpenAI key, or you would rather your recordings stay on your computer, choose **Local**.

## Change how speech is transcribed

1. Click the gear at the right-hand end of the header to open **Settings**, then click the **AI** tab.
2. Scroll to **Voice · transcription provider**, below **AI · API keys**.
3. Click **Cloud** or **Local**. The one in use is highlighted.

When you switch to **Local**, a line under the buttons reads **Loading local Whisper model (one-time download, ~80MB)…** while PlexiDesk gets it ready, then **Switched to Local Whisper. Future recordings transcribe on this Mac.** Stay online until it finishes.

When you switch to **Cloud**, the line reads **Switched to Cloud Whisper (OpenAI).**

The change applies to your next recording.

## What the choice affects

- **Hold to talk**: holding the Plexii button, or `⌘` `⇧` `Space` on a Mac. See [Talk to Plexii: hold to talk](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-voice).
- **Voice notes**: the Voice note widget on a desk. See [Voice note widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-voice-note).
- **The Transcribe widget** on your Home dashboard.

Recorded meetings are always transcribed on your computer, whichever option you choose here.

## What you will see

Nothing changes in how you record. Transcription takes a moment after you stop, then the text appears. Local can take a little longer on a slower computer.

If Cloud is chosen and there is no OpenAI key, the message reads **No OpenAI key set. Add one in Settings → AI · API keys, or switch to Local in Voice settings.**

## Tips

- **Try Local first if you have no OpenAI key.** It needs nothing but the download.
- **Choose Cloud for the quickest results** if you already have an OpenAI key.
- **Test your key.** In **AI · API keys**, testing an OpenAI key confirms whether it can transcribe. See [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys).

## Common questions

**Local did not switch.** The first switch needs an internet connection to download the speech model. Check that you are online and click **Local** again. If the line says the preference is unavailable, quit PlexiDesk and open it again.

**Do I need an OpenAI key to talk to Plexii?** Only for **Cloud**. **Local** needs no key. Plexii's reply then runs on your credits or your Anthropic key, as if you had typed.

**Does Local send anything to the internet?** Only the one-time download of the model. Your recordings are transcribed on your computer.

**Why do meetings ignore my choice?** Recorded meetings are always transcribed on your computer, so the people in the meeting are never recorded to an outside service.

## Related tasks

- [Talk to Plexii: hold to talk](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-voice)
- [AI settings](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-ai)
- [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys)
- [Voice note widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-voice-note)
- [Voice command settings](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-voice-command)