---
title: "superwhisper vs MacWhisper (2026): which Whisper app for your Mac?"
description: "superwhisper is for live dictation with AI modes; MacWhisper is for transcribing recordings and meetings. Prices ($249.99 vs €64 lifetime), free tiers, platforms and features compared."
url: "https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-macwhisper"
---

# superwhisper vs MacWhisper

The names are similar and both run OpenAI's Whisper model on your Mac, so people mix them up. They're built for different jobs. superwhisper is for talking into any app, with AI to shape the result. MacWhisper is for turning recordings and meetings into transcripts. Here's how to choose.

By the SpeechBee team, who make a different dictation app. Prices rechecked on 13 October 2026.

> ### The short answer
>
> - **Pick superwhisper** if you mainly dictate live into apps and want AI modes to restyle what you say.
> - **Pick MacWhisper** if you mainly transcribe recordings, videos and meetings, and want subtitles or documents out.
> - **Both** have free tiers, so you can try them side by side.

## Side by side

| | superwhisper | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Live dictation in any app | Transcribing recordings and meetings |
| Free tier | Dictation with unlimited local Whisper models, meeting recording | Free version |
| Paid | Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, or $249.99 once | Pro €64 once |
| AI rewriting | Modes with GPT, Claude and other models on Pro | Not its focus |
| File transcription | On Pro | Yes, its main job |
| Meetings | Recording and notes | Records calls without a bot, labels speakers |
| Export | Text into your app | Subtitles and documents |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, iPhone, iPad |

## superwhisper: dictation first

Press a shortcut, talk, and the text lands where you're typing. On Pro, modes pass your speech through an AI model to turn it into a formal email or a casual message, set per app, and Super Mode adapts to what's on screen. It also records meetings and, on Pro, transcribes files. One license covers as many of your devices as you like. See [superwhisper pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-pricing).

## MacWhisper: recordings first

Drag in an audio or video file, or record a call without a bot joining, and MacWhisper transcribes it locally, labels speakers and exports subtitles or documents. It includes system-wide dictation too, but its strength is files. The free version covers the basics and Pro is €64 once. It's now on iPhone and iPad as well.

## Price

MacWhisper Pro, at €64 once, is the cheaper way to own one of these outright. superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year or $249.99 for life, and its free tier already includes unlimited local Whisper dictation.

## Neither, if you want simple dictation and Read Aloud

SpeechBee, which we make, is narrower than both. Hold a key, talk, and your words land at the cursor with filler words removed and names fixed from your dictionary. Speech runs on your device. It also reads selected text aloud with natural local voices, which neither app does, and one plan covers Mac, iPhone and iPad: $79 a year or $99 once. It doesn't transcribe files or meetings, and has no AI modes.

## Questions

### Are superwhisper and MacWhisper the same app?

No. They're made by different developers. Both run Whisper models on your Mac, but superwhisper is built for live dictation and MacWhisper for transcribing recordings.

### Which is better for dictation?

superwhisper. Dictation is its main job, with modes, shortcuts and per-app settings. MacWhisper includes dictation, but its strength is files and meetings.

### Which is better for transcribing recordings?

MacWhisper. It's built for files, speaker labels and exports. superwhisper transcribes files on Pro.

### Which is cheaper?

MacWhisper Pro is €64 once. superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year or $249.99 once. Both have free tiers.

## Keep comparing

- [Whisper apps for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/whisper-apps-mac)
- [superwhisper pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-pricing)
- [MacWhisper alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/macwhisper-alternatives)
- [superwhisper vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-speechbee)

## More on dictation

- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)
- [VoiceInk vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/voiceink-vs-speechbee)
- [Willow vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/willow-vs-speechbee)
- [Wispr Flow privacy](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-privacy)
- [Wispr Flow vs Aqua Voice](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-vs-aqua-voice)
- [Wispr Flow vs Typeless](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-vs-typeless)
- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)

## Sources

Checked on 12 October 2026; prices rechecked on 13 October 2026.

- [superwhisper](https://superwhisper.com/) and [superwhisper vs Wispr Flow pricing](https://superwhisper.com/vs/wispr-flow/pricing)
- [MacWhisper](https://www.macwhisper.com/) and [MacWhisper on Gumroad](https://goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l/macwhisper)
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)