The best dictation apps for Mac in 2026
Five ways to turn your voice into text on a Mac, compared on price, where your speech is processed, and what they run on.
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At a glance
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| App | Price | Where speech is processed | Platforms | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TessFlo | 7-day free trial, then $13 once | On your Mac, after a one-time model download | macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon | English |
| Apple Dictation | Included with macOS | On your Mac for supported languages, after a speech-model download | Mac | Many; on-device dictation lists 20+ |
| Wispr Flow | Free up to 2,000 words a week on desktop; Pro $15/user/month, or $12 billed annually | In the cloud (“Transcription always occurs on the cloud”) | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | 100+ |
| Superwhisper | Free with local Whisper models; Pro $8.49/month, $84.99/year or $249.99 once | On your Mac with local models; cloud models with Pro | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | 100+ |
| VoiceInk | $25 once for one Mac ($39 for two, $49 for three) | On your Mac; optional cloud enhancement sends text only | macOS 14.4 or later, Apple Silicon | Not listed on its homepage |
Prices in US dollars, from each app’s own website on 15 October 2026.
Which one should you choose?
Choose TessFlo if…
- You dictate in English and want your speech processed on your Mac.
- You prefer to pay once: $13 after a 7-day free trial, with no account to create.
- You want text pasted straight into the app you’re using, with custom vocabulary and word replacements.
Choose Apple Dictation if…
- You want something free and already built in, and occasional dictation is enough. It stops on its own after 30 seconds without speech.
Choose Wispr Flow if…
- You need many languages, Windows or phone apps, and you’re comfortable with cloud transcription and a subscription.
Choose Superwhisper if…
- You want many languages, a mix of local and cloud models, and apps on several platforms.
Choose VoiceInk if…
- You want an open-source, one-time-purchase app that transcribes locally.
Head-to-head comparisons
- ComparisonTessFlo vs Wispr FlowOn-device and $13 once, or cloud and a subscription.Explore comparison
- ComparisonTessFlo vs SuperwhisperTwo local-first apps, different scope and price.Explore comparison
- ComparisonTessFlo vs Apple DictationWhy pay when dictation is built into macOS?Explore comparison
- Model guideThe speech models in TessFloParakeet v2, Whisper and optional Gemma cleanup.Explore models
Sources
TessFlo details come from this website, the release notes and the Privacy Policy. Other apps, checked on 15 October 2026: