Best offline dictation apps
These can turn speech into text entirely on your device, so nothing you say is uploaded and dictation still works without a connection. On-device models need a reasonably recent computer.
Quick answer Superwhisper is the top pick, followed by MacWhisper and Apple Dictation.
Top pick
Superwhisper by SuperUltra
Voice dictation for any app, with offline local models and AI modes for tone and format.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $8.49/mo or $249.99 one-time
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 100
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $8.49/mo or $249.99 one-timeTry Superwhisper free
MacWhisper by Good Snooze
Mac transcription app with on-device Whisper models and system-wide dictation.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free
- Works on
- Mac, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 100
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026FreeTry MacWhisper free
Apple Dictation by Apple
Built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS: dictate anywhere you type, on device in many languages.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free
- Works on
- Mac, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- Languages
- 34
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026FreeTry Apple Dictation free
Windows Voice Typing by Microsoft
Built into Windows 11: Win+H types into any text box; Voice Access also dictates offline.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free
- Works on
- Windows
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 36
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026FreeTry Windows Voice Typing free
Dragon Professional by Nuance (Microsoft)
Locally installed Windows dictation and voice commands, sold through Nuance sales.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- See pricing
- Works on
- Windows
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- Team plan
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026See pricingGet Dragon Professional
VoiceInk by Prakash Joshi (Pax)
Open-source Mac dictation app that transcribes locally and types into any app.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- $25 one-time
- Works on
- Mac, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Team plan
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026$25 one-timeTry VoiceInk free
Willow Voice by Willow Care
Voice dictation for any app that removes filler words and formats text, with offline mode.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $12/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 100
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $12/user/moTry Willow Voice free
Spokenly by Inviral Tech
Dictation app with free offline models that types at your cursor in any app.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $8.33/mo or $29 one-time
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 100
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $8.33/mo or $29 one-timeTry Spokenly free
Talon by Talon Voice
Hands-free voice control and dictation for the whole computer, with eye and noise input.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $25/user/mo
- Works on
- Windows, Mac, Linux
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $25/user/moTry Talon free
Monologue by Every
Voice dictation and voice notes for Mac and iPhone, with offline transcription on Mac.
- Can run entirely on your device
- Price
- From $12/mo
- Works on
- Mac, iPhone
- Types into any app
- Yes
- Runs on your device
- Yes
- AI clean-up
- Yes
- Languages
- 100
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026From $12/moTry Monologue free
Compare the top picks
| App | Price | Works on | Types into any app | Runs on your device | AI clean-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superwhisper | Free plan · paid from $8.49/mo or $249.99 one-time | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MacWhisper | Free | Mac, iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Dictation | Free | Mac, iPhone | Yes | Yes | – |
| Windows Voice Typing | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dragon Professional | See pricing | Windows | Yes | Yes | – |
| VoiceInk | $25 one-time | Mac, iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Willow Voice | Free plan · paid from $12/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spokenly | Free plan · paid from $8.33/mo or $29 one-time | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Talon | Free plan · paid from $25/user/mo | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Yes | – |
| Monologue | From $12/mo | Mac, iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How we picked
We compared 18 dictation apps and kept the 11 that fit this guide. We don't test apps ourselves: features and prices come from each app's own site, and the order follows what independent reviewers recommend. No app pays to be listed or placed higher, and whether an app pays us a commission never changes its place.
Questions
How are these apps ranked?
Apps that independent "best of" roundups recommend come first, the most often recommended at the top; the rest follow with the best-known first. Every app listed meets this guide's needs.
Are these links sponsored?
Links to apps whose affiliate programs have approved Build Your Toolkit are affiliate links, marked as such, so we may earn a commission if you sign up for a paid plan. It doesn't change what you pay, and no app pays to be listed or placed higher.
Where do the prices come from?
From each app's own pricing page, on the date shown next to the price. Prices for dictation apps change often, so check the vendor's page before you buy.