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superwhisper vs Aqua Voice

Both are favourites with developers and power users, and both run on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. The difference is where your voice goes. superwhisper can transcribe on your own device. Aqua Voice does it in the cloud. Here's what that means for price, privacy and everyday use.

By the SpeechBee team, who make a different dictation app. Prices checked on 21 October 2026

  • superwhisper
  • Aqua Voice
  • SpeechBee
On this page
  1. Side by side
  2. Price
  3. Privacy and offline use
  4. Everyday feel
  5. Which one should you pick?
  6. A third option: SpeechBee
  7. Questions
  8. Keep comparing
  9. Sources

Side by side

superwhisperAqua Voice
Free planUnlimited local Whisper models, meetings on Mac1,000 words in total
PaidPro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, or $249.99 oncePro $10/mo or $96/yr; Max $30/mo or $288/yr
Student discount40% off Pro70% off Pro and Max
Where speech is processedYour device with local models; cloud models on ProAqua's servers
Works offlineYes, with local modelsNo
Uses your screenSuper Mode adapts to what's on screenYes, to get names and code right
Stand-out extrasCustom modes, file and meeting transcription, translate to EnglishRealtime Mode on Max, MCP, CLI and API
TeamsEnterprise with SOC 2 Type IIBusiness $19 per seat a month yearly, with SSO and zero data retention
PlatformsMac, Windows, iPhone, AndroidMac, Windows, iPhone, Android
What it costs over time

1 year

  • SpeechBee$79Yearly
  • superwhisper$84.99Yearly · + free tier
  • Aqua Voice$96Yearly · + free tier

2 years

  • SpeechBee$99One-time
  • superwhisper$169.98Yearly · + free tier
  • Aqua Voice$192Yearly · + free tier

3 years

  • SpeechBee$99One-time
  • superwhisper$249.99One-time · + free tier
  • Aqua Voice$288Yearly · + free tier

Cheapest published way to keep each app: monthly, yearly or a one-time license. US dollars before tax, prices checked on 13 October 2026.

Price

superwhisper's free plan is generous: unlimited use of local Whisper models. Pro is $84.99 a year, or $249.99 once if you'd rather never pay again.

Aqua Voice's free plan is a taster: 1,000 words in total. Pro is $96 a year, and Max, which adds Realtime Mode, is $288 a year. Students get a big 70% off.

So for one person, the yearly prices are close. superwhisper is the only one you can buy outright.

Privacy and offline use

This is the real difference. superwhisper can run speech recognition on your device, so with local models your audio doesn't leave it and dictation works offline. Pro adds cloud AI models, which do send text out.

Aqua Voice processes speech on its servers. It has a Privacy Mode, and the Business plan offers zero data retention, but it won't work without a connection.

Everyday feel

superwhisper is a toolbox. You choose voice models and AI models, and build modes for email, messages or code. Power users love it; some people find the settings a lot.

Aqua Voice is built for speed in technical work. It reads your screen to spell library names and code correctly, and Max shows your words live as you speak. It also offers MCP and a CLI for developers.

Which one should you pick?

Choose superwhisper if:

  • You want dictation that works offline.
  • You like building your own AI modes.
  • You want to pay once and be done.

Choose Aqua Voice if:

  • You mostly dictate code and prompts for AI tools.
  • You want to see your words appear as you speak.
  • You're a student and want 70% off.

A third option: SpeechBee

SpeechBee is for people who like superwhisper's idea, your voice transcribed on your own device, but don't want to set up models and modes. Hold a key, talk, let go, and clean text appears at your cursor with filler words gone. You can teach it project names and add snippets, and it works offline after the model downloads.

It also reads. Select text on your Mac and press a key to hear it in a natural local voice.

Voice to text
New message

Hi Maya, I'll send the revised proposal tomorrow morning.

SpeechBee's listening indicator on Mac
Hold your key, talk, let go. The text lands at the cursor.
Text to speech
Article

Most people read faster than they speak. SpeechBee reads the sentence you selected out loud, while you keep working.

SpeechBee's Read Aloud player on Mac
Select text, press your reading key, listen.

SpeechBee doesn't have custom AI modes, real-time text or a developer API, and it doesn't run on Windows or Android. It costs $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once, with the first 7 days free.

Compare any apps in the interactive tool

On-device dictation, ready the moment you install it. Free for 7 days.

Voice to text and Read Aloud on your Mac, iPhone and iPad. After the week, $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once. Every plan has every feature.

Download for MacGet it for iPhone & iPad

Mac, iPhone and iPad. No card needed.

Questions

Is superwhisper better than Aqua Voice?

For privacy and offline use, yes: it can run on your device. Aqua Voice is better tuned for code and shows text as you speak. If you want on-device dictation without the setup, try SpeechBee.

Which is cheaper?

superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year against Aqua Voice Pro at $96. superwhisper also sells a $249.99 lifetime licence. SpeechBee is $99 once.

Does Aqua Voice work offline?

No. Aqua Voice transcribes on its servers. superwhisper works offline with local models, and SpeechBee works offline after a one-time model download.

Which is better for coding?

If you want your code talk to stay on your Mac, SpeechBee or superwhisper's local models. Aqua Voice markets itself most directly to developers, with screen context for code, MCP and a CLI. See dictation for developers.

Keep comparing

Sources

Checked on 21 October 2026.