MacWhisper vs Superwhisper: File Transcription or Dictation?
MacWhisper and Superwhisper are both local-first Mac apps, but they started from opposite ends. MacWhisper began as a file transcription tool and added dictation; Superwhisper is a dictation app that added Meetings transcription on Pro. Both run Whisper models on your Mac.
Prices checked October 21, 2026: MacWhisper Pro is €64 once with lifetime updates. Superwhisper is free for local dictation, with Pro at $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr or $249.99 lifetime.
MacWhisper vs Superwhisper: Side by Side
From macwhisper.com and superwhisper.com/docs/billing/plans, checked October 21, 2026.
| Feature | MacWhisper | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | File, podcast, YouTube and meeting transcription | Push-to-talk dictation with AI modes |
| Pricing | Free; Pro €64 once, lifetime updates | Free local tier; Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, $249.99 lifetime |
| Dictation | System-wide dictation, basic on free / high-quality on Pro | Unlimited local-Whisper dictation free |
| File transcription | Core feature, batch, subtitles, speaker recognition | Pro only |
| AI modes | Custom prompts with your own provider keys | Super, Mail and other AI modes on Pro |
| Meetings | Auto-detects and records Zoom, Teams, Webex calls | Meetings transcription and speaker separation on Pro |
| Platforms | Mac (direct download); App Store edition for Mac/iPhone/iPad | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Automation | Watched folders, webhooks, CLI | Not a focus |
Core strength
MacWhisper
File, podcast, YouTube and meeting transcription
Superwhisper
Push-to-talk dictation with AI modes
Pricing
MacWhisper
Free; Pro €64 once, lifetime updates
Superwhisper
Free local tier; Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, $249.99 lifetime
Dictation
MacWhisper
System-wide dictation, basic on free / high-quality on Pro
Superwhisper
Unlimited local-Whisper dictation free
File transcription
MacWhisper
Core feature, batch, subtitles, speaker recognition
Superwhisper
Pro only
AI modes
MacWhisper
Custom prompts with your own provider keys
Superwhisper
Super, Mail and other AI modes on Pro
Meetings
MacWhisper
Auto-detects and records Zoom, Teams, Webex calls
Superwhisper
Meetings transcription and speaker separation on Pro
Platforms
MacWhisper
Mac (direct download); App Store edition for Mac/iPhone/iPad
Superwhisper
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Automation
MacWhisper
Watched folders, webhooks, CLI
Superwhisper
Not a focus
Pricing at a Glance
MacWhisper
- Free: €0
- Pro: €64 once
Superwhisper
- Free: $0
- Pro monthly: $8.49/mo
- Pro annual: $84.99/yr
- Pro lifetime: $249.99 once
A third option: Sotto
Sotto sits between them on price and ahead on extras: $49 once for up to 3 Macs with lifetime updates, local Whisper and Parakeet dictation, plus the Sotto Assistant, a local REST API and the CLI.
MacWhisper remains the better file-transcription bench, and Superwhisper's free tier is the only $0 local dictation here. Sotto wins the one-time, all-inclusive Mac dictation slot.
macOS 15+ · Up to 3 Macs · All future updates included
Frequently Asked Questions
MacWhisper or Superwhisper for transcription?
MacWhisper: batch files, subtitles, speaker recognition and meeting recording come with the €64 one-time Pro. Superwhisper's file transcription is a Pro-only add-on to a dictation-first app.
Which is cheaper?
Superwhisper's free tier is cheapest at $0. Paid: MacWhisper Pro €64 once versus Superwhisper Pro $254.97 over three years on annual billing (or $249.99 lifetime).
Does Superwhisper transcribe meetings?
Yes, on Pro: Meetings transcription with speaker separation, plus realtime transcription. MacWhisper instead auto-records Zoom, Teams and Webex calls and transcribes the recording.
What about Sotto?
Sotto is $49 once for up to 3 Macs with lifetime updates: local dictation plus the Assistant, a local API and the CLI. It transcribes system audio but is not a batch file-transcription bench like MacWhisper.