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Use local models without a per-minute provider charge, or bring your own API keys without upgrading Utter. BYOK providers may charge for usage or limit free credits; BYOK is not a promise of unlimited free cloud transcription. Choose the setup path that fits how you want to run transcription and AI processing:
  1. Bring your own keys: add a Deepgram key for speech-to-text and an OpenRouter key for AI processing. This guide shows that setup.
  2. Use local models: download models for on-device transcription and AI processing. Follow how to use Utter offline on Mac and iPhone, then test the complete mode without internet.

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Overview

Utter uses two types of AI services:
  1. Speech-to-Text: Converts your voice to text.
  2. AI Processing: Cleans up and formats your text.
This guide uses Deepgram for speech-to-text and OpenRouter for AI processing. If you prefer local models instead, use a Parakeet transcription model and Apple Intelligence, LM Studio, or Ollama.
Prefer local models? Follow Use Utter Locally for the local setup path.

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Step 1: Set Up Deepgram (Speech-to-Text)

Check Deepgram’s current pricing and trial terms before creating an account. Credit amounts, expiry, eligible models, and usage rates can change.
1

Create a Deepgram Account

Go to console.deepgram.com and review the account and trial terms before signing up.
2

Create an API Key

Go to Settings > API Keys and click Create a New API Key.
Create API Key button in Deepgram
3

Name Your Key

Give it a name like “Utter”.
Enter name for API key
4

Copy the Key

Copy the key immediately - you won’t be able to see it again.
Copy and save API key
What to expect: You should have a Deepgram API key copied and ready to paste into Utter.
Trial credits are not the same as unlimited usage. Check the balance, expiry, selected model’s rate, and billing settings in your provider account before a long recording.

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Step 2: Set Up OpenRouter (AI Processing)

OpenRouter provides access to free AI models for text processing.
1

Create an OpenRouter Account

Go to openrouter.ai and sign up.
2

Open Settings

Click your profile menu and select Settings.
Open OpenRouter settings
3

Create an API Key

Navigate to Keys and click Create Key.
Create OpenRouter API key
4

Name Your Key

Give it a name like “Utter”.
Enter name for OpenRouter API key
5

Copy the Key

Copy your API key.
Copy OpenRouter API key
6

Enable Free Models

In Privacy Settings, enable free models.
Enable free models in OpenRouter
What to expect: You should have an OpenRouter API key copied, with free models enabled in your account settings.
Choose a model explicitly listed as free in OpenRouter and review its current rate limits, availability, and data policy. A different model or provider may be billed.

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Step 3: Configure Utter

Once you have both API keys, add them to Utter. The steps and videos below show the Mac setup:
1

Open Utter Settings

Open Settings > Advanced in Utter.
2

Add Deepgram Key

In Voice Models, choose Deepgram as the transcription provider and paste your Deepgram API key in its key field.
3

Add OpenRouter Key

In AI Models, choose OpenRouter as the AI provider and paste your OpenRouter API key in its key field.
What to expect: Utter accepts both keys and lets you select a free AI model for processing. If that did not work: Re-paste each key to remove hidden spaces, then run one short dictation test. Then select a free AI model:

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Choose and Test a Free Model

Choose a currently available free model in your provider account, then select it in Utter. Availability and rate limits change; do not assume an older model name still has a free endpoint. Test a short recording with the formatting instructions you actually use. Check names, punctuation, and whether the output follows the mode. If the model is unavailable or rate-limited, choose another available model or use the offline setup rather than repeatedly retrying a long recording.

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Free Setup Options

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FAQ

Local models avoid per-minute provider charges. You can also use BYOK without upgrading Utter, but the provider’s pricing, credits, and rate limits still apply.
Use this guide if you want to bring your own keys. Use Use Utter Locally if you want to run local models.
Free local and hosted models work well for many AI text-processing tasks. Paid models may be faster, larger, or more accurate for complex formatting and long documents.
BYOK uses your chosen providers, whose data policies apply. Recordings and transcripts may remain in your Utter history. Choose on-device models when you need an offline processing path.

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Alternative: Just Use Deepgram

If you only need basic transcription without AI formatting:
  1. Set up Deepgram (as above)
  2. Don’t set up an AI provider
  3. Test transcription and check your Deepgram usage and credit balance
This gives you raw transcription without AI post-processing - perfect for verbatim notes.

Use Utter Locally

Download compatible local models and verify offline dictation.

Bring Your Own Keys

Connect your own model providers and API keys.