AI dictation apps have drastically improved in recent years, thanks to advances in large language models and speech-to-text technology. These apps now accurately decipher speech, remove filler words, fix stumbles, and handle punctuation with minimal editing. Here are the best dictation apps currently available.
Wispr Flow
Wispr Flow is a well-funded AI dictation app that supports custom words and instructions. It offers native apps for macOS, Windows, and iOS (Android in development). Users can choose among "formal," "casual," and "very casual" styles for different writing contexts. The app integrates with vibe-coding tools like Cursor to automatically recognize variables. Free tier allows 2,000 words per week on desktop and 1,000 words per month on iOS; paid plans start at $15/month.
Willow
Willow emphasizes time-saving and privacy, storing transcripts locally and allowing opt-out of model training. It uses LLMs to generate full passages from just a few dictated words and supports custom vocabulary for industry terms or dialects. Free tier offers 2,000 words per month on desktop; individual plans start at $15/month for unlimited dictation and style memory.
Monologue
Monologue prioritizes privacy by enabling local AI model downloads for offline transcription. It allows tone customization per app. Free tier includes 1,000 words per month; subscription costs $10/month or $100/year. Active users may receive a physical shortcut device called Monokey.
Superwhisper
Superwhisper functions as both a dictation and transcription app for audio/video files. Users can choose among various AI models, including Nvidia's Parakeet. It supports custom prompts and displays both raw and processed transcripts. Basic voice-to-text is free; Pro features (translation, transcription) get 15-minute trial. Paid plans: $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime.
VoiceTypr
VoiceTypr is offline-first with no subscription, using local models. It is open-source on GitHub. Supports over 99 languages on Mac and Windows. Free trial for 3 days; then lifetime license: $35 for one device, $56 for two, $98 for four.
Aqua
Aqua is a Y Combinator-backed app claiming very low latency. It handles grammar and punctuation, and allows autofill by saying custom phrases (e.g., "my address"). Also offers a speech-to-text API. Free tier: 1,000 words/month; paid plans start at $8/month (billed annually) for unlimited words and 800 custom dictionary values.
Handy
Handy is a free, open-source transcription tool for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Basic features include push-to-talk and hotkey activation. No customization options but good for cost-free voice typing.
Typeless
Typeless offers a high free word count (4,000 words per week) and claims no data retention or AI training. It can rewrite fumbled sentences. Available for Windows and macOS. Free tier: ~16,000 words/month; paid: $12/month (billed annually) for unlimited words and new features.
VoiceInk
VoiceInk is an open-source, private dictation app for Mac. Features global shortcuts, push-to-talk, context-aware formatting, and automatic rule detection per app or URL. Also has an assistant mode. Lifetime pricing: $25 for one device, $39 for two, $49 for three.
Dictato
Dictato is a dictionary app for Mac priced at €9.99 (~$12) for lifetime access with two years of updates. Uses offline models like Parakeet, Whisper, and Apple Speech Analyzer, and claims 80ms latency. Apple Intelligence handles filler word removal.
AudioPen
AudioPen started as a web-based voice notes app and now offers a Mac version with dictation and rewriting in preferred formats. Supports audio note storage across platforms, note combination, audio file upload, and AI rewriting. Pricing: $33 for 3 months, $99 for 1 year, $159 for 2 years.
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