SpeechBeeGuide
Free speech to text on a Mac
You don't have to pay to talk to your Mac. macOS has dictation built in, Google Docs has voice typing, and several apps give away local speech recognition for free. Here is what each free option does well, where it stops, and when paying makes sense.
By the SpeechBee team, who make a paid dictation app. Checked on 12 October 2026
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Free speech to text options at a glance
| Option | Works in | What it's good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Apple Dictation | Any text field | Quick dictation, nothing to install | Stops after 30 seconds of silence, no custom dictionary on Mac |
| Voice Control | The whole Mac | Dictation plus voice commands | Replaces standard Dictation while on, takes learning |
| Google Docs voice typing | Google Docs only | Writing in Docs | Needs a connection, commands in English only |
 Spokenly | Any app | Free local Whisper and Parakeet models, no word cap | Cloud and AI features are paid |
 OpenWhispr | Any app | Open source, free local dictation | Cloud and agent features are paid |
 superwhisper free tier | Any app | Unlimited local Whisper models, meeting recording | AI modes and file transcription are paid |
Apple Dictation
Every Mac has it. Turn it on in System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation, then press the Microphone key or your chosen shortcut in any text field. You can set a custom shortcut such as Option-Z. Say "period", "comma" and "new paragraph" for punctuation.
It stops automatically after 30 seconds without speech, and on Mac it has no custom dictionary, so names it gets wrong stay wrong. Apple says you can check in Keyboard settings whether your general dictation is processed on your device or sent to Apple. Full walkthrough: how to dictate on a Mac.
Voice Control
Voice Control lets you dictate and control your Mac by voice, clicking, scrolling and opening apps. It supports a custom vocabulary. Turn it on in System Settings, Accessibility, Voice Control. While it is on, standard Dictation is unavailable because Voice Control handles dictation itself. It is the free choice if you need to use the Mac hands-free.
Google Docs voice typing
In a Google Doc, choose Tools, then Voice typing, and click the microphone. It works in Chrome, Edge and Safari, but only inside Google Docs. See voice typing in Google Docs.
Free dictation apps
If you want dictation in every app with features Apple's lacks, three apps give away local speech recognition:
- Spokenly runs local Whisper and Parakeet models free, with no word cap and no account, and a local-only mode that blocks network requests.
- OpenWhispr is open source, with free, unlimited local dictation on Mac, Windows, Linux and iPhone.
- superwhisper's free tier includes unlimited local Whisper models and meeting recording. Its AI modes need Pro.
We compare these in Whisper apps for Mac.
When paying is worth it
Free tools cover most occasional dictation. People usually pay when they dictate every day and want less friction: one key that starts instantly in any app, filler words removed, a dictionary that fixes names once, snippets for text they repeat, and the same setup on iPhone. Some paid apps add AI rewriting, others add file transcription.
SpeechBee is ours. It types what you say at the cursor in any app, removes "um" and "uh", learns names, expands snippets, and reads text aloud too, all on your device. After a 7-day free trial it is $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once, and one plan covers Mac, iPhone and iPad.
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.
Try paid dictation 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 there free speech to text on a Mac?
Yes. Apple Dictation and Voice Control are built into macOS. Google Docs has free voice typing. Spokenly, OpenWhispr and superwhisper's free tier offer free local dictation apps.
How do I turn on speech to text on a Mac?
Open System Settings, click Keyboard, and turn on Dictation. Then press the Microphone key or your Dictation shortcut in any text field and speak.
What is the best free dictation app for Mac?
For most people, built-in Apple Dictation. If you want dictation in every app with a custom dictionary and no time limit, try Spokenly or OpenWhispr, both free and local.
Does free Mac dictation work offline?
It can. Apple Dictation may run on your device depending on language and settings, which you can check in Keyboard settings. Local apps such as Spokenly work offline after their model downloads.
Is Word's dictation free?
Only with a Microsoft 365 subscription. See dictation in Word on a Mac.
Keep reading
- How to dictate on a Mac
- Offline dictation on a Mac
- The best dictation apps for Mac
- Mac dictation not working
Sources
All checked on 12 October 2026.