Aqua Voice privacy: turn on Privacy Mode, and what it still collects
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
Aqua Voice processes your audio in the cloud, and with Privacy Mode off, which is the default, its pages say transcripts may be stored on its servers to improve the product. Turn Privacy Mode on and they are not stored, though session details such as timestamps, device type and performance metrics may still be collected.
I make YapToText, which keeps dictation on the Mac, so weigh my framing accordingly. Everything about Aqua here is from its Privacy Policy, effective July 29, 2026, and its llms.txt summary, both read on October 9, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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Privacy Mode, on and off
From Aqua's Privacy Policy and llms.txt, read October 9, 2026.
| Privacy Mode off (default) | Privacy Mode on | |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | Processed in the cloud | Processed in the cloud |
| Transcripts | May be stored to improve the product | Not stored |
| Session metadata | Collected | May still be collected |
If you use Aqua for anything private, turning on Privacy Mode is the first thing to do. Business plans can enforce it, and Zero Data Retention, across an organization.
What else Aqua collects
- Account details. Name, email, billing address and payment information.
- Technical data. IP address, browser, operating system and performance metrics.
- Advertising measurement. How you found Aqua, through a first-party cookie and ad click identifiers. It shares hashed emails and signup or purchase events with the ad platforms it buys from, which it names as Google, Meta, Reddit, X, LinkedIn, OpenAI and Apple.
- What it rules out. It says it does not sell personal information, and never shares transcripts or audio with an advertising platform.
Its policy says you can ask it not to use your information for advertising measurement by contacting it.
Screen reading and realtime mode
- Deep Context. Aqua can read your screen for accuracy. It is a separate setting, off until you turn it on, and Aqua says its data is never stored.
- Two speech engines. Instant Mode runs on Aqua's own Avalon models. Realtime mode streams audio to a third-party speech provider.
- Certifications. Aqua lists SOC 2 Type II and ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and says it is GDPR and HIPAA compliant, with a BAA to discuss before any health information.
A dictation app with no Privacy Mode to remember
YapToText needs no such setting, because nothing leaves the Mac. Your voice is turned into text on your own computer, and the cleanup happens there too.
- No advertising code. No account, no analytics, no tracking, and no update checks. Updates come from the App Store.
- Offline from the first launch. The App Store build ships with its models, so it dictates with Wi-Fi off.
- What it gives up. Aqua runs on Windows, iPhone and Android and reads your screen for context. YapToText does neither.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The Aqua Voice alternative page lines up the features and prices.
The short version
- Default. Privacy Mode is off, and transcripts may be stored to improve the product.
- Turn it on. Transcripts are then not stored, but session metadata may be.
- Advertising. Aqua shares measurement data with ad platforms, never transcripts or audio.
- Local option. YapToText keeps everything on the Mac.
If Aqua changes its defaults and this page is out of date, open an issue on GitHub. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://withaqua.com/privacy (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://withaqua.com/llms.txt (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-09)
Questions
Is Aqua Voice safe?
Aqua lists SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 and says it never sells data. By default, though, transcripts may be stored to improve the product until you turn on Privacy Mode.
Does Aqua Voice store my transcripts?
With Privacy Mode off, the default, they may be stored on Aqua's servers to improve the product. With Privacy Mode on, they are not stored.
How do I make Aqua Voice more private?
Turn on Privacy Mode, leave Deep Context off unless you need it, and ask Aqua by email not to use your information for advertising measurement.
Does Aqua Voice work offline?
Aqua's pages describe cloud processing for audio, with its own Avalon models for Instant Mode and a third-party provider for Realtime mode.
Is there an Aqua Voice alternative that stays local?
YapToText runs entirely on an Apple silicon Mac, with no account or analytics, and is free.