---
title: "superwhisper vs SpeechBee (2026): which Mac dictation app to pick"
description: "superwhisper offers AI modes, local and cloud models, meetings and files on every platform. SpeechBee is simpler on-device dictation plus Read Aloud for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Prices and trade-offs side by side."
url: "https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-vs-speechbee"
---

# superwhisper vs SpeechBee

Both can transcribe on your Mac, so this is not a cloud versus local story. superwhisper gives you more control and more features. SpeechBee gives you less to set up, and adds reading. We make SpeechBee, so weigh our view accordingly.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Prices checked on 12 October 2026.

> ### The short answer
>
> - **Pick superwhisper** if you want custom AI modes, a choice of local and cloud models, meeting recording, file transcription, or Windows and Android.
> - **Pick SpeechBee** if you want dictation that works the same way every time with nothing to configure, everything always on the device, and text read aloud too.

## Side by side

| | superwhisper | SpeechBee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, or $249.99 once | $9/mo, $79/yr, or $99 once |
| Free option | Unlimited local Whisper models, 3,000 Pro words to try | 7 days free with every feature |
| Where speech is processed | Local models, or cloud models you choose per mode | Always on your device |
| Customisation | Custom modes with your choice of voice and AI model, per app | Dictionary, snippets, hold or toggle key |
| AI rewriting | Yes, through modes and AI models | No, your wording is kept |
| Meetings and files | Meeting recording, audio and video files on Pro | No |
| Read text aloud | No | Yes, natural local voices |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Intel Macs | Cloud models recommended | Not supported |
| Refund | 30 days on all plans | 30-day guarantee on Lifetime |

## Control versus simplicity

superwhisper is built for people who want to shape the output. A mode for email can write formally, one for Slack casually, one for code with the right syntax, each with its own model. Super Mode adapts to what is on your screen. If you enjoy tuning tools, it rewards you.

SpeechBee is built for people who want to talk and get on with it. You pick a key and decide whether to hold it or press it once. It removes filler words, follows spoken punctuation and spells names from your dictionary, and that is it.

## Privacy

Both can keep your audio on the Mac. With superwhisper, that depends on the mode. Choose a cloud model and your words go to that provider. With SpeechBee there is no cloud option at all, so there is nothing to check before you dictate something private.

## Reading

SpeechBee reads selected text aloud with natural voices that run on your Mac, iPhone or iPad. superwhisper does not do text to speech.

## Price

superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year against SpeechBee's $79. The lifetime licenses are further apart, $249.99 against $99. superwhisper's free tier is more useful long term than SpeechBee's 7-day trial if local Whisper models are enough for you.

## Questions

### Is superwhisper better than SpeechBee?

It does more, with AI modes, cloud models, meetings, files and more platforms. SpeechBee does less on purpose and adds Read Aloud. superwhisper suits tinkerers. SpeechBee suits people who want it to just work.

### Do both work offline?

superwhisper does with its local models, and works best on Apple silicon. SpeechBee always works offline after a one-time model download.

### Which has the cheaper lifetime license?

SpeechBee Lifetime is $99 once. superwhisper's lifetime license is $249.99.

## Keep comparing

- [superwhisper alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/superwhisper-alternatives)
- [Wispr Flow vs superwhisper](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-vs-superwhisper)
- [The best dictation apps for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-dictation-app-mac)

## Sources

All checked on 12 October 2026.

- [superwhisper](https://superwhisper.com/), features, plans and FAQ
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/), [terms](https://speechbee.app/terms) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)