Private Mac dictation
There is no single best private dictation app for every Mac workflow.
Start with two questions: where is speech processed, and what job should the product do? A built-in tool, a focused cursor utility, a configurable model toolkit, and a transcription workstation solve different problems.
At a glance
Six credible starting points.
| Product | Best for | Speech processing | Published price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Dictation | Trying the built-in option first | Check Keyboard settings | Included with macOS |
| SpeechBee | Focused shortcut-to-cursor dictation | Local after model download | Not publicly available |
| superwhisper | Model choice and custom modes | Local and cloud on Pro | $8.49 monthly; $84.99 annual; $249.99 lifetime |
| MacWhisper | Files, meetings, subtitles, and dictation | Local-first with optional services | Free; €64 Pro one-time |
| Spokenly | Free on-device models across desktops | Local free; cloud optional | Local and BYOK free; Pro from $8.33/month |
| Handy | Free open-source local dictation | Local | Free and open source |
Selection criteria
Define “private” before ranking anything.
- ProcessingDoes speech stay on the Mac, or travel to a service?
- RetentionIs audio saved, discarded after processing, or governed by a setting?
- WorkflowDoes text land at the cursor, or does the job begin in a file or meeting workspace?
- ScopeDo you need one shortcut, model configuration, or a full transcription studio?
Product notes
Choose the tool that matches the job.
Best for: Trying the built-in option first
Apple Dictation
Start here when the built-in shortcut, punctuation, and formatting commands meet the job without another install.
Best for: Focused shortcut-to-cursor dictation
SpeechBee
A focused Mac utility with hold/toggle shortcuts, optional filler removal, spoken formatting, local corrections, and customizable recording feedback.
Best for: Model choice and custom modes
superwhisper
A configurable option for people who want local models, cloud models, custom modes, vocabulary, and a license spanning its supported platforms.
Best for: Files, meetings, subtitles, and dictation
MacWhisper
A broad Mac transcription workstation when recorded media, exports, subtitles, batch work, or meetings matter alongside dictation.
Best for: Free on-device models across desktops
Spokenly
A strong starting point when unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet options, BYOK providers, or wider desktop support matter.
Best for: Free open-source local dictation
Handy
A community-maintained route for people who value inspectable source and local desktop dictation without a paid plan.
Decision guide
A useful order of operations.
Try the built-in path. Use Apple Dictation first when a separate utility would add no value.
Choose a focused cursor tool. Compare SpeechBee with Handy when the main job is speaking into the field already open.
Choose configuration depth. Look at superwhisper or Spokenly when model choice, custom modes, BYOK, or cross-platform support matters.
Choose a transcription workstation. MacWhisper is the clearer fit when files, meetings, subtitles, exports, and batch jobs are central.
What is not ranked
No invented performance league table.
We did not install competing apps or run a controlled benchmark. This guide does not rank speed, accuracy, reliability, battery use, support quality, or language performance.
Catalog size is not an accuracy result. A hundred published language options can still behave differently by language, accent, microphone, and environment.
How this was researched
Published information, checked at the source.
SpeechBee publishes this comparison. Product details were checked against official websites, documentation, pricing pages, privacy pages, and current release notes. We did not download or install competing apps for hands-on testing. Each company may change its product after this page was reviewed.
We compare workflow, processing location, supported platforms, language claims, pricing, and visible product limits. We do not rank speed, accuracy, or reliability without a controlled test.
Sources
Check the product pages.
- Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac
- superwhisper Pro
- MacWhisper product and pricing
- Spokenly pricing and processing options
- Handy product site
- SpeechBee product overviewMac facts checked against merged repository revision 15f22e0.
Want a focused local Mac workflow?
Press a shortcut, speak, and place finished text at the cursor. Public checkout and signed distribution remain unavailable while the product and brand release gates are open.
Founder-review preview: checkout is not live yet.