The best dictation apps for Mac in 2026
The best dictation app for Mac depends on what you need. Koi, Superwhisper, Wispr Flow, MacWhisper, Typeless and 8 more: prices, free tiers, what runs offline.
Intel Macs
Can an Intel Mac still dictate well in 2026?
Yes, but your list of apps is shorter. Several newer dictation apps need Apple silicon, and some that do install on Intel say their offline models run best on Apple silicon. So the first question for any app is simple: does its own site say it runs on Intel, and does it turn speech into text on the Mac or in the cloud?
The clock matters too. Apple's macOS Tahoe 26 page lists four Intel Macs that run it: the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports), the 27-inch iMac (2020) and the Mac Pro (2019). macOS 27 runs on Apple silicon only, as MacRumors reported, so on an Intel Mac, the macOS version an app needs decides as much as the chip.
We make Koi, so read this with that in mind. It's first because it's built for Intel and Apple silicon alike, and we say below where others beat it. We didn't test speed on Intel. Everything about other apps comes from their own sites, checked October 16, 2026, in USD.
Check first
How do I know if my Mac is Intel?
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
- Look at the first line under the name. Chip, followed by a name like M1 or M3, means Apple silicon. Processor, followed by an Intel processor's name, means Intel.
- Note the macOS version on the same screen. Some apps below need macOS 14 or 15.
That's from Apple's page on Macs with Apple silicon.
The picks
The best dictation apps for Intel Macs
1. Koi
Best for: Dictation on the Mac itself, unlimited, on Intel and Apple silicon
Koi runs on macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. Tap Fn + ⌥ in any app and talk: an open speech model, NVIDIA's Parakeet unless you pick another, turns your voice into text on the Mac, and dictation never goes online. Words appear while you speak, 100 languages are detected by themselves, the ums and stammers go, and a list of your own words gets names right. There's no cap on dictation on any plan.
We haven't measured how fast the models run on an Intel Mac, and older Intel Macs vary a lot. Parakeet is built in. If it feels slow on yours, Whisper Base is the lightest and a download away in Settings.
The catches: it needs an account and a paid plan. Pro is $20 a month, or $192 a year, after a 3-day free trial that needs a card. Lifetime is paid once: $59 for the first 25 buyers, rising to $199. Koi's assistant, which looks at your screen, uses cloud AI models.
2. Apple Dictation
Best for: Free dictation with nothing to install
It's built in and free. The catch on Intel is where your words go: Apple's macOS Sonoma guide says that on an Intel Mac, what you dictate is sent to Apple. Check the text under Dictation in Keyboard settings for your Mac. Apple says typing while you dictate is for Apple silicon only.
3. VoiceTypr
Best for: Local dictation on Mac and Windows, paid once
VoiceTypr says it supports Intel Macs on macOS 14 or later, and Windows 10 or later. It transcribes on your computer with Whisper or Parakeet, with optional cloud, in 99 languages, and adds formatting modes, per-app rules and file transcription. It's $69 for two devices, with a 3-day trial and a 7-day refund.
4. SpeakMac
Best for: The cheapest one-time local app for Intel
SpeakMac transcribes on your Mac and runs on Intel with macOS 14 or later. It has a free trial, then costs $29 once for one Mac or $39 for two, with 12 months of updates. It lists 25 languages, plus packs. Its Meeting Mode beta needs macOS 15.
5. OpenWhispr
Best for: Open source, free local dictation on Intel
OpenWhispr is open source under MIT and lists Mac (Apple silicon and Intel), Windows, Linux and iOS. Local models and your own API keys are free and unlimited, and the free plan includes 2,000 cloud words a week. Pro is $80 a year.
6. Superwhisper
Best for: Intel Macs that are fine with cloud speech to text
Superwhisper is upfront about Intel. Its site says: “Intel Macs work best with Cloud models. Offline models only run really well on Apple Silicon macs.” Cloud voice models are on Pro, at $8.49 a month, $84.99 a year or $249.99 once. The free plan runs Whisper locally.
7. FluidVoice
Best for: Free, open source, if your Intel Mac runs macOS 15
FluidVoice is free under GPLv3 and transcribes on the Mac. It needs macOS 15 or later, and on Intel it runs through its Whisper models only, not the others it offers.
Comparison
Intel dictation apps side by side
| Koi | Apple Dictation | VoiceTypr | SpeakMac | OpenWhispr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Intel | Yes | Yes, sent to Apple per its Sonoma guide | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speech to text | On your Mac | On the Mac or Apple's servers | On your computer, cloud optional | On your Mac | Local or cloud |
| Needs | macOS 14 | Built in | macOS 14 | macOS 14 | Not stated |
| Price | Pro $20 a month; Lifetime from $59 | Free | $69 for two devices | $29 once | Free; Pro $80 a year |
Apple silicon only
Dictation apps that won't run on Intel
From their own sites and repositories, checked October 16, 2026:
- VoiceInk: Apple silicon only.
- BetterDictation: Apple silicon only.
- Hex: Apple silicon, macOS 15 or later.
- Buzz: needs Apple silicon now; its last Intel version is 1.4.5.
For the full field, Apple silicon included, see the best dictation apps for Mac, the best offline dictation apps and Apple Dictation alternatives.
Keep exploring
The best offline dictation apps for Mac
The best apps for offline dictation on Mac: Koi, Apple Dictation, Superwhisper, MacWhisper, VoiceInk, Spokenly and more. What runs on device, and how to check.
Voice to text on Mac, built in or with Koi
How to use voice to text on Mac with Apple's built-in Dictation, step by step, and when Koi does more: offline, 100 languages, unlimited on every plan.
The 8 best Apple Dictation alternatives for Mac
Looking for an Apple Dictation alternative? 8 picks for Mac, from Superwhisper and Wispr Flow to Koi and Voice Control, with prices, privacy and offline use.
Support
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with an app whose speech model runs on Intel. Koi, VoiceTypr, SpeakMac and OpenWhispr say they do. Apple's Sonoma guide says Apple Dictation on an Intel Mac sends what you dictate to Apple.
VoiceInk, BetterDictation and Hex need Apple silicon, and Buzz's last Intel version is 1.4.5. Superwhisper installs on Intel but says its offline models run best on Apple silicon.
No. macOS 27 runs on Apple silicon Macs only. macOS Tahoe 26 runs on four Intel Macs, so check the macOS version each app needs.
We haven't measured it, and Intel Macs vary. Parakeet is built in; if it feels slow, switch to Whisper Base, the lightest, in Settings.