Aqua Voice: Aqua Voice is an AI-powered, system-wide voice dictation app that turns speech into refined text in real time across the apps you already use on Mac and iPhone. VoiceInk: VoiceInk is an open-source macOS dictation app that turns speech into text in any application using local whisper.cpp AI models that run entirely on-device. Below, they line up on price, capture method, and how each fits a real meeting stack.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist Aqua Voice when dictating emails, documents, and slack messages hands-free across desktop apps matters most, and VoiceInk when dictating prompts and code comments into ai chat tools and editors matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.
Aqua Voice is an AI-powered, system-wide voice dictation app that turns speech into refined text in real time across the apps you already use on Mac and iPhone.
VoiceInk is an open-source macOS dictation app that turns speech into text in any application using local whisper.cpp AI models that run entirely on-device.
Aqua Voice is an AI dictation tool built by Aqua Voice, Inc. (a Y Combinator startup) that converts spoken words into written text in real time. Rather than a standalone transcription window, it works system-wide: users hold a key (such as Space) and speak, and the dictated text is inserted into whatever app is in focus, including Gmail, Google Docs, Slack, code editors, and AI chat tools. It runs on macOS and iOS, with the iPhone app now live. Aqua is powered by Avalon, the company's proprietary speech-to-text model trained on prompt-style speech, code, and email, and it refines grammar and phrasing as you talk. It supports context awareness of on-screen content, a custom dictionary for technical terms and names, natural-language editing commands ("make this a list," "rephrase that"), style adaptation, and multilingual input across dozens of languages. It is aimed at developers, knowledge workers, and content creators who want a faster alternative to typing for emails, documents, messages, prompts, and code.
Best suited for
VoiceInk is a native macOS dictation application that converts spoken words into text and inserts them into any app, positioned as an open-source alternative to Superwhisper and Wispr Flow. It runs transcription locally using whisper.cpp Whisper models (and Parakeet via FluidAudio), so voice data stays on the device by default; optionally, you can connect cloud transcription and AI services such as Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, and Gemini using your own API keys. Users trigger recording with global keyboard shortcuts or push-to-talk, and VoiceInk types the result wherever the cursor sits. Its Power Mode automatically switches transcription and AI-enhancement settings based on the active app or website, while a Personal Dictionary handles custom terminology and text replacements. Enhancement prompts can reformat dictation for email, chat, or social posts, and a later release added the ability to share audio files into the app for transcription. The project is published on GitHub under GPL v3, runs on Apple Silicon Macs (macOS 14.4+), and also offers an iOS version. It suits writers, developers, and professionals who want fast, private hands-free text entry.
Best suited for
Aqua Voice is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | Aqua Voice | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | System-wide dictation that inserts text into any focused app (Gmail, Docs, Slack, code editors, AI chats) | Local on-device speech-to-text via whisper.cpp and Parakeet (FluidAudio) Whisper models |
| Standout feature | Avalon proprietary speech-to-text model tuned for technical vocabulary, code, and prompt-style speech | Optional cloud transcription/enhancement through user-supplied API keys (Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, Gemini) |
| Team usage | Custom dictionary for names, brands, and technical terms | Global keyboard shortcuts and push-to-talk dictation that inserts text into any app |
| Integrations | Natural-language editing commands like 'make this a list' or 'rephrase that' mid-dictation | Power Mode: automatic per-app/per-website switching of transcription and AI settings |
| Languages & capture | Context awareness of on-screen content, including code syntax | Personal Dictionary for custom words, phrases, and text replacements |
| Best-fit workflow | Multilingual input across dozens of languages | AI enhancement modes (email, chat, posts) and audio-file transcription support |
Aqua Voice
Choose Aqua Voice if you need dictating emails, documents, and slack messages hands-free across desktop apps — strengths include low-friction, system-wide voice input that works inside existing apps with no per-app setup.
VoiceInk
Choose VoiceInk if you need hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app — strengths include transcribes entirely offline by default, keeping voice data on-device for privacy.
Aqua Voice
VoiceInk
It depends on your workflow. Aqua Voice is strong for dictating emails, documents, and slack messages hands-free across desktop apps, while VoiceInk is strong for hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
Aqua Voice is a free tier with paid upgrades and VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades. Check each vendor's pricing page for the latest plans and free-tier limits.
Sure. Running both makes sense when their strengths don't overlap and the budget allows.
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