MacWhisper vs Handy: the two compared on their own makers' numbers
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
MacWhisper and Handy solve different problems. MacWhisper transcribes recordings, exports subtitles, and adds dictation in its website version. Handy is a free, open source dictation app for Mac, Windows and Linux, with no file tools.
I built YapToText, a free dictation app for the Mac, so read this knowing I make a rival to both. Each fact comes from the maker's own pages, on the dates under the table.
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.
Side by side
MacWhisper checked October 3 and 5, 2026, on macwhisper.com and its help pages. Handy checked October 5, 2026, on handy.computer and its GitHub repository. YapToText from its own settings. Prices change, so confirm on each maker's site.
| MacWhisper | Handy | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Transcribing recordings, with dictation added | Free local dictation you assemble yourself | Dictation, with files as plain text |
| Free | File transcription with .txt, .srt and .vtt export, and dictation in the macwhisper.com version | Everything. It is funded by donations | Everything |
| Paid | Pro €64 once | No paid tier | No paid tier |
| Where speech is processed | On the Mac with local models, or optional cloud providers | On your computer, with Parakeet V3 or Whisper models | On the Mac |
| Without internet | Yes, with local models | Yes | Yes |
| Cleanup | Pro, through an AI provider you set up or a local model | Experimental post-processing with a provider and prompt you set | Built in, on the Mac |
| Platforms | Mac, Intel included, with an iOS app | Mac on Apple silicon and Intel, Windows and Linux | Apple silicon Macs, macOS 14 or later |
| Open source license | Not stated | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
Pick by what you need
- A recording to transcribe. MacWhisper.
- Free dictation on any desktop. Handy.
- Subtitles. MacWhisper.
- Open source. Handy, under MIT.
- Linux. Handy.
For more on each: MacWhisper and Handy.
The free third option
YapToText does dictation with cleanup and dictionaries on the Mac, free, with no account, and gives plain text from audio and video files. It runs on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 14 or later and nowhere else. If you need Windows, a phone, subtitles or speaker labels, one of the two above fits better. The MacWhisper alternative page and the Handy one compare each with YapToText directly.
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 short version
- MacWhisper. Transcribing recordings, with dictation added. Pro €64 once.
- Handy. Free local dictation you assemble yourself. No paid tier.
- YapToText. Free dictation with cleanup on one Apple silicon Mac.
If a price or feature here has changed, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. 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://www.macwhisper.com (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://www.macwhisper.com/legal/privacy-policy (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/40-macwhisper-whisper-transcription-difference (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/14-how-to-use-the-dictation-feature (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/22-assistant (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/39-licensing (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/34-transcription-is-slower-than-expected (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/33-macwhisper-for-ios (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whisper-transcription/id1668083311 (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://github.com/cjpais/Handy (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://handy.computer (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://handy.computer/download (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
What is the difference between MacWhisper and Handy?
MacWhisper: transcribing recordings, with dictation added. Handy: free local dictation you assemble yourself.
Is MacWhisper or Handy free?
MacWhisper: File transcription with .txt, .srt and .vtt export, and dictation in the macwhisper.com version. Handy: Everything. It is funded by donations.
Do MacWhisper and Handy work offline?
MacWhisper: Yes, with local models. Handy: Yes.
Is there a free app that runs on the Mac?
YapToText is free, with cleanup built in, on Apple silicon Macs.