--- title: "superwhisper vs Aqua Voice (2026): local power or cloud speed?" description: "superwhisper runs Whisper on your device, with AI modes and a $249.99 lifetime option. Aqua Voice is cloud dictation from $96 a year, built for developers. Prices, privacy, offline use and platforms compared." url: "https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-aqua-voice" --- # 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. > ### The short answer > > - **Pick superwhisper** if you want dictation that can run offline on your device, custom AI modes, and the option to pay once. > - **Pick Aqua Voice** if you want fast cloud dictation tuned for code and AI prompts, text that appears as you speak, and the cheapest Pro plan. > - **Pick SpeechBee** if you want on-device dictation that works without setting up models or modes, plus text read aloud, for $99 once. > > **Full disclosure:** we make SpeechBee, so we're not exactly neutral. Everything about superwhisper and Aqua Voice comes from their own websites, linked at the bottom. ## Side by side | | superwhisper | Aqua Voice | |---|---|---| | Free plan | Unlimited local Whisper models, meetings on Mac | 1,000 words in total | | Paid | Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, or $249.99 once | Pro $10/mo or $96/yr; Max $30/mo or $288/yr | | Student discount | 40% off Pro | 70% off Pro and Max | | Where speech is processed | Your device with local models; cloud models on Pro | Aqua's servers | | Works offline | Yes, with local models | No | | Uses your screen | Super Mode adapts to what's on screen | Yes, to get names and code right | | Stand-out extras | Custom modes, file and meeting transcription, translate to English | Realtime Mode on Max, MCP, CLI and API | | Teams | Enterprise with SOC 2 Type II | Business $19 per seat a month yearly, with SSO and zero data retention | | Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | ## 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. 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](https://speechbee.app/compare/tool) ## 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](https://speechbee.app/guides/dictation-for-developers). ## Keep comparing - [superwhisper vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-speechbee) - [Aqua Voice vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/aqua-voice-vs-speechbee) - [Wispr Flow vs Aqua Voice](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-vs-aqua-voice) - [superwhisper alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-alternatives) ## More on dictation - [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac) - [superwhisper vs MacWhisper](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-macwhisper) - [Typeless review](https://speechbee.app/compare/typeless-review) - [Whisper apps for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/whisper-apps-mac) - [Willow vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/willow-vs-speechbee) - [Wispr Flow privacy](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-privacy) - [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud) ## Sources Checked on 21 October 2026. - [superwhisper](https://superwhisper.com/), plans, features and platforms - [superwhisper vs Wispr Flow pricing](https://superwhisper.com/vs/wispr-flow/pricing), for the yearly and lifetime prices - [Aqua Voice pricing and FAQ](https://withaqua.com/pricing) and [privacy policy](https://withaqua.com/info/privacy) - SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)