BetterDictation: A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application. 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. The right pick comes down to team size, budget, and the workflows you want to automate.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist BetterDictation when dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps matters most, and VoiceInk when dictating prompts and code comments into ai chat tools and editors matters most. Trial each on a few real meetings before you commit — the better fit usually shows fast.
A macOS speech-to-text app that uses on-device Whisper to turn spoken words into typed text in any application.
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.
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
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
BetterDictation is a free tier with paid upgrades (paid); VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | BetterDictation | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | System-wide dictation that inserts text into any macOS application | Local on-device speech-to-text via whisper.cpp and Parakeet (FluidAudio) Whisper models |
| Standout feature | On-device transcription using OpenAI's Whisper on Apple's Neural Engine | Optional cloud transcription/enhancement through user-supplied API keys (Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, Gemini) |
| Team usage | Offline operation for basic dictation with no cloud round-trips | Global keyboard shortcuts and push-to-talk dictation that inserts text into any app |
| Integrations | Support for 100+ languages with automatic punctuation | Power Mode: automatic per-app/per-website switching of transcription and AI settings |
| Languages & capture | Push-to-talk and toggle-to-talk recording modes | Personal Dictionary for custom words, phrases, and text replacements |
| Best-fit workflow | Optional Pro post-processing: stammer correction and automatic formatting | AI enhancement modes (email, chat, posts) and audio-file transcription support |
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.
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.
BetterDictation
VoiceInk
It depends on your workflow. BetterDictation is strong for dictating emails, documents, and notes hands-free across mac apps, while VoiceInk is strong for hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
BetterDictation 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.
You can — some teams pair them when each covers a different part of the meeting workflow.
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