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VoiceInk vs SpeechBee
VoiceInk and SpeechBee both transcribe your voice on your Mac, with nothing uploaded. VoiceInk is cheaper to own and open source. SpeechBee covers more devices and reads text aloud. We make SpeechBee, so weigh this accordingly, but the honest answer depends on what you need.
By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Prices checked on 12 October 2026
VoiceInk
SpeechBee
On this page
Side by side
| VoiceInk | SpeechBee | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $25 once for 1 Mac, $39 for 2, $49 for 3 | $9/mo, $79/yr, or $99 once |
| Refund or trial | 14-day refund | 7 days free; 30-day money-back on Lifetime |
| Where speech is processed | On your Mac | On your device |
| Platforms | Apple silicon Mac, iPhone | Apple silicon Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Mac requirement | macOS 14.4 or later | macOS 14 or later |
| Source code | Public | Closed |
| Custom words and replacements | Yes | Dictionary and snippets |
| Filler removal | Filler and repetition removal | English, German, Spanish and French |
| Modes and editing | Light modes, structured notes and emails, voice editing of selected text | No modes; optional on-device AI cleanup |
| Read text aloud | No | Yes, natural local voices |
| Sync between devices | Not listed | Optional private iCloud sync of dictionary and snippets |
Price
- VoiceInk, 1 Mac$25
- VoiceInk, 3 Macs$49
- SpeechBee Lifetime$99
VoiceInk is the cheapest way to own local dictation on a Mac. SpeechBee Lifetime costs more and covers your Mac, iPhone and iPad together, plus Read Aloud.
Where VoiceInk is ahead
Price, first. Its source code is public, which some people want for a tool that hears everything they say. It has modes that shape output into structured notes or emails, and it can edit text you've selected by voice.
Where SpeechBee is ahead
SpeechBee does two jobs: dictation, and reading selected text aloud with natural voices on your Mac. It runs on iPad as well as iPhone and Mac under one plan, and its optional iCloud sync keeps your dictionary and snippets the same everywhere. It's built to need very little setup: choose a key, and talk.
Hi Maya, I'll send the revised proposal tomorrow morning.
Most people read faster than they speak. SpeechBee reads the sentence you selected out loud, while you keep working.
Dictation and Read Aloud, on all your Apple devices. 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.
Questions
Is VoiceInk cheaper than SpeechBee?
Yes. VoiceInk is $25 once for one Mac. SpeechBee is $79 a year or $99 once, covering Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Do both work offline?
Yes. Both transcribe on your device, so they work without internet once their models have downloaded.
Is VoiceInk open source?
VoiceInk's source code is public. SpeechBee's is not.
Does VoiceInk read text aloud?
Not as far as its site lists. SpeechBee reads selected text aloud with natural voices on your Mac.
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Sources
All checked on 12 October 2026.
- VoiceInk pricing and VoiceInk
- SpeechBee facts from our homepage and privacy policy