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. Whisper Notes: Offline, privacy-first Whisper transcription app for iPhone and Mac that records and, on Mac, summarizes meetings and recordings. This comparison weighs them on pricing, features, and everyday workflow fit.
How Hosiqo compares and tests toolsFinal recommendation
Shortlist VoiceInk when hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app matters most, and Whisper Notes when summarizing and querying meeting recordings on a mac matters most. Trial each on a few real meetings before you commit — the better fit usually shows fast.
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.
Offline, privacy-first Whisper transcription app for iPhone and Mac that records and, on Mac, summarizes meetings and recordings.
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
Whisper Notes is a privacy-first voice transcription app for iPhone and Mac that runs OpenAI's Whisper speech-recognition model entirely on-device, with no cloud uploads. It records voice or imports audio files such as MP3, M4A, and WAV, and transcribes across more than 100 languages while keeping all processing local. On Mac, it adds AI-powered features including auto-generated titles, summaries, and a chat function to ask questions about transcripts on recordings of three minutes or longer, and it can record meetings from Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet as well as offer system-wide dictation via the Fn key. The iPhone app focuses on transcription with quick lock-screen recording, timestamps, and export, while AI summaries on iPhone are noted as not yet available. The app uses a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription, with separate purchases per platform, and the Mac version offers a limited free trial before unlocking unlimited use. It requires Apple Neural Engine hardware (iPhone 12 or newer) and M-series Macs. The developer reports a substantial user base, and the offline, no-subscription approach makes it appealing for users with privacy or confidentiality concerns. Pricing varies by plan. Check the official website for current pricing.
Best suited for
VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium); Whisper Notes is a free tier with paid upgrades (freemium). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site before buying.
| Feature | VoiceInk | Whisper Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core capability | Local on-device speech-to-text via whisper.cpp and Parakeet (FluidAudio) Whisper models | 100% on-device, offline transcription with no cloud uploads |
| Standout feature | Optional cloud transcription/enhancement through user-supplied API keys (Groq, Deepgram, Cerebras, Gemini) | Whisper-based transcription across 100+ languages |
| Team usage | Global keyboard shortcuts and push-to-talk dictation that inserts text into any app | Mac AI summaries, auto titles, and transcript chat (3+ minute recordings) |
| Integrations | Power Mode: automatic per-app/per-website switching of transcription and AI settings | Mac meeting recording for Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet |
| Languages & capture | Personal Dictionary for custom words, phrases, and text replacements | System-wide Fn-key dictation on Mac |
| Best-fit workflow | AI enhancement modes (email, chat, posts) and audio-file transcription support | Audio file import, timestamps, and export |
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.
Whisper Notes
Choose Whisper Notes if you need transcribing confidential meetings or interviews entirely offline — strengths include fully offline processing is strong for privacy and confidential recordings.
VoiceInk
Whisper Notes
It depends on your workflow. VoiceInk is strong for hands-free drafting of emails, messages, and documents in any macos app, while Whisper Notes is strong for transcribing confidential meetings or interviews entirely offline. Both transcribe and summarize meetings.
VoiceInk is a free tier with paid upgrades and Whisper Notes 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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