Superwhisper vs MacWhisper
Superwhisper or MacWhisper?
They answer different questions.
The names are similar and both run Whisper on your Mac, so they get compared a lot. In practice Superwhisper is for speaking into the app you are using, and MacWhisper is for turning recordings into transcripts. Pick by which of those you do most.
Superwhisper, MacWhisper and TypeAloud compared
| Superwhisper | MacWhisper | TypeAloud | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Dictating into any app | Transcribing files and meetings | Dictating into any app |
| Price | Free; Pro $8.49/month, $84.99/year or $249.99 one-time | Free; Pro €64 one-time | Free |
| System-wide dictation | Yes: Option+Space, text pasted at the cursor | Pro: a shortcut opens a floating window; the transcript can be copied to the clipboard | Yes: hold Ctrl+Shift, text inserted at the cursor |
| File transcription | Pro | Yes, in batches, with speaker labels | No |
| Subtitle export | No | SRT and VTT | No |
| Local speech models | Whisper free; more on Pro | Whisper and Parakeet | Qwen3-ASR |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Mac, plus an iOS app | macOS; Windows and Linux builds are experimental |
Competitor details checked on 26 Oct 2026 against superwhisper.com, macwhisper.com. Prices and limits change; the official pages are authoritative.
Dictation versus transcription
Superwhisper starts from a shortcut: press it in any text field, speak, press again, and the text is pasted where you were. Its modes can rewrite what you said into an email or message.
MacWhisper starts from a file: drop in an interview, lecture or meeting recording and get a transcript with speakers labelled, then export it as subtitles or a document. Its dictation feature, Global, is part of Pro and works through its own floating window.
Which to pick
If you write by voice every day, Superwhisper. If you transcribe recordings, MacWhisper; its €64 one-time Pro is good value for that. Plenty of people use both.
A free dictation option
For the dictation half, TypeAloud is free and open source, runs locally, and needs no configuration: hold Ctrl+Shift, speak, release. Its Qwen3-ASR model handles mixed Chinese and English. See TypeAloud vs Superwhisper and TypeAloud vs MacWhisper.
Common questions
- Is MacWhisper a dictation app?
- Mainly it is a transcription app for files and meetings. Dictation is available in Pro through a floating window.
- Can Superwhisper transcribe audio files?
- Yes, on Pro. MacWhisper has more for recordings: batch processing, speaker labels and subtitle export.
- Which is cheaper?
- MacWhisper Pro is a one-time €64. Superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year or $249.99 once. Both have free versions.
- Is there a free dictation app like Superwhisper?
- TypeAloud is free and local. The roundup lists others.
Local transcription. No account. No subscription.
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