The Mac dictation app landscape has evolved dramatically. Here's our comprehensive comparison of every major option available in 2025.
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Local AI | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sotto | $29 once | Yes | Yes |
| MacWhisper | $30-70 | Yes | Yes |
| Wispr Flow | $10/mo | No | No |
| macOS Dictation | Free | Partial | Partial |
Detailed Analysis
Sotto
Best for daily dictation. Push-to-talk hotkey, instant paste into any app, custom dictionary, multiple AI models. One-time $29 for 3 Macs.
MacWhisper
Good for transcribing audio files. Less suited for real-time dictation. Tiered pricing based on features.
Wispr Flow
Cloud-based with good accuracy. Requires $10/month subscription. Not suitable for privacy-conscious users.
Our Pick
For most Mac users who want fast, private dictation: Sotto. For transcribing existing recordings: MacWhisper. For teams already in Google/Microsoft ecosystem: Wispr Flow.