BetterDictation: A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application. Upheal: Upheal is an AI-native EHR for mental health therapists that records and transcribes sessions to auto-generate clinical progress notes. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist BetterDictation when dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps matters most, and Upheal when group practices standardizing documentation and compliance across multiple clinicians matters most. Try them side by side on real calls before deciding — needs vary by team.
A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application.
Upheal is an AI-native EHR for mental health therapists that records and transcribes sessions to auto-generate clinical progress notes.
BetterDictation is a system-wide dictation tool for macOS that converts speech into typed text inside any application. Users trigger it with a keyboard shortcut (Option+Space) and can choose push-to-talk or toggle-to-talk modes; the transcribed text is then inserted directly where the cursor sits. It runs OpenAI's Whisper model locally on Apple's Neural Engine, so basic transcription works fully offline and, per the vendor, no audio recordings or transcripts are stored. It supports 100+ languages and applies automatic punctuation. The app requires Apple Silicon (M1 or newer); Intel Macs are not supported. An optional Pro add-on adds stammer correction, automatic formatting, and post-processing of dictations. It is aimed at people who write or capture text frequently, such as founders, engineers, and writers, who want to dictate emails, documents, notes, and messages rather than type them. Because it works across all apps, it can be used to capture spoken notes alongside meetings, though it is a general dictation utility rather than a dedicated meeting-recording assistant.
Best suited for
Upheal is an AI-native electronic health record (EHR) platform built specifically for mental health therapists and behavioral health practices. It records and transcribes therapy sessions and then generates clinical progress notes formatted to a chosen template, typically within about a minute. Sessions can be captured through Upheal's built-in HIPAA-compliant telehealth video, in-person audio recording, dictation, or by uploading pre-recorded audio files; transcription supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, and Hindi. The platform offers numerous note formats such as SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, EMDR, intake, and mental status exam, plus customizable sections. Beyond documentation, it provides scheduling, client intake forms, billing and superbills, secure messaging, and compliance checking. A browser extension transfers notes into other EHRs and works alongside telehealth tools like Zoom and Google Meet. By default, audio recordings are deleted after transcription unless saved. It is aimed at solo therapists, group practices, and virtual care providers.
Best suited for
BetterDictation is a free tier with paid upgrades (paid); Upheal is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | BetterDictation | Upheal |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | System-wide dictation that inserts text into any macOS application | AI-generated clinical progress notes in formats like SOAP, DAP, BIRP, and GIRP with customizable templates |
| Standout feature | On-device transcription using OpenAI's Whisper on Apple's Neural Engine | Session capture via built-in HIPAA-compliant telehealth video, in-person audio, dictation, or uploaded recordings |
| Team usage | Offline operation for basic dictation with no cloud round-trips | Multi-language transcription (English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, Hindi) |
| Integrations | Support for 100+ languages with automatic punctuation | Browser extension to transfer notes into other EHRs and use alongside Zoom and Google Meet |
| Languages & capture | Push-to-talk and toggle-to-talk recording modes | Integrated practice management: scheduling, intake forms, billing/superbills, and secure messaging |
| Best-fit workflow | Optional Pro post-processing: stammer correction and automatic formatting | Automatic deletion of audio recordings after transcription unless explicitly saved |
BetterDictation
Choose BetterDictation if you need dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps — strengths include runs locally on-device for privacy; vendor states no audio or transcripts are stored.
Upheal
Choose Upheal if you need therapists automating clinical progress notes after telehealth or in-person sessions — strengths include purpose-built for therapists with clinically structured note templates rather than generic meeting summaries.
BetterDictation
Upheal
It depends on your workflow. BetterDictation is strong for dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps, while Upheal is strong for therapists automating clinical progress notes after telehealth or in-person sessions. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
BetterDictation is a free tier with paid upgrades and Upheal 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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