Speech to text on Mac
Speech to text on a Mac:
two different jobs.
"Speech to text" covers two jobs. One is dictation: turning what you say into text in the app you are using. The other is transcription: you have a recording and want a transcript. Tools are usually good at one of them. Picking the right kind saves most of the frustration.
Speech to text tools on Mac by job
| Dictation into apps | Transcribing files | |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Dictation | Yes, built in | No |
| Superwhisper | Yes, into any app | Pro |
| Wispr Flow | Yes, cloud | Meeting notes, not files |
| TypeAloud | Yes, into any app; free, local | No |
| MacWhisper | Yes, in the version sold on its website (not the App Store one) | Yes: batch, speaker labels, subtitles |
Dictation into apps
For writing by voice, you want something that works in every app and puts text at the cursor. macOS Dictation does this for short text; see how to voice type on a Mac. Third-party apps such as Superwhisper, VoiceInk, Wispr Flow and TypeAloud, which we make add a history, AI cleanup or local models.
Transcribing recordings
For interviews, lectures and meetings you want batch import, speaker labels and export to subtitles or documents. MacWhisper is the specialist here; see Superwhisper vs MacWhisper for how it compares.
Offline either way
Both jobs can run on an Apple Silicon Mac without uploading audio. If privacy matters, choose local models; see offline dictation for Mac.
Common questions
- What is the best free speech to text on Mac?
- For dictation, macOS Dictation is built in; Superwhisper's free tier, Spokenly and TypeAloud are free apps. For files, MacWhisper's free version handles basic transcription.
- Can dictation apps transcribe audio files?
- Some can: Superwhisper on Pro, MacWhisper by design. Others, including macOS Dictation and TypeAloud, only take live speech.
- Does speech to text on Mac work in Chinese?
- Yes. macOS Dictation supports Mandarin as a dictation language, and Chinese-trained models such as Qwen3-ASR handle mixed Chinese–English.
- Does speech to text on Mac need internet?
- Not necessarily. macOS Dictation can process on device for supported languages, and local apps run offline. See offline dictation on Mac.
About TypeAloud
TypeAloud: free dictation for Mac, transcribed on your Mac.
This page was written by the team behind TypeAloud, our open-source dictation app: hold Ctrl+Shift, speak, release, and the text appears at your cursor. No word limit, no account.
Download for Mac