superwhisper vs Wispr Flow vs MacWhisper: three apps built for three different jobs
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
People compare these three because all of them turn speech into text on a Mac. They were built for different jobs. Wispr Flow is cloud dictation with rewriting. superwhisper is dictation that can run on the Mac, with AI modes on top. MacWhisper is a file transcriber that also dictates. Once you know which job you have, the choice is mostly made.
I built YapToText, a free dictation app for the Mac, so read this knowing I make a rival to all three. Each fact comes from the maker's own pages, on the dates in the table notes.
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.
All three in one table
superwhisper checked October 5, 2026. Wispr Flow checked October 3 to 10, 2026. MacWhisper checked October 3 and 5, 2026. Each on its own website and help pages.
| superwhisper | Wispr Flow | MacWhisper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Dictation, with files on Pro | Dictation with AI rewriting | Transcribing recordings, with dictation added |
| Free | Unlimited local Whisper dictation, vocabulary, two modes without AI | 2,000 words a week on a Mac or PC before a warning | File transcription with text and subtitle export |
| Paid | $8.49 a month, $84.99 a year or $249.99 once | $15 per user a month, or $12 billed yearly | Pro €64 once |
| Where speech is processed | On the Mac with local models, or cloud models with Pro | Wispr's cloud, always | On the Mac with local models, or optional cloud providers |
| Without internet | Yes, with local models | No | Yes, with local models |
| Files | Pro | Not a file tool | Free, with subtitles |
| Speakers | Speaker separation, Pro | Not a dictation feature | Speaker recognition, Pro |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, with an iOS app |
Pick by the job
- You have recordings. MacWhisper. Its free version already exports subtitles.
- You talk all day and want it rewritten, on every device. Wispr Flow, if a cloud service is acceptable.
- You want dictation that can stay on the Mac, with room to grow. superwhisper.
- You pay once, not monthly. MacWhisper Pro at €64, or superwhisper's lifetime license.
The two-way pages go deeper: superwhisper vs Wispr Flow, MacWhisper vs superwhisper and MacWhisper vs Wispr Flow.
The fourth option
YapToText is free, runs on the Mac, and does dictation with cleanup plus plain text from files. Against these three it is narrower: one Apple silicon Mac, no Windows or phone, no subtitles, no speaker labels. If that covers what you do, it costs nothing and needs no account. The comparison hub lists every head-to-head on this site.
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
- Recordings. MacWhisper.
- Cloud dictation everywhere. Wispr Flow.
- Local dictation with AI modes. superwhisper.
- Free and simple on one Mac. YapToText.
- Prices. Dollars and euros, and they change. Check each site.
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://superwhisper.com (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/billing/plans (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/transcribe-files (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/models/voice (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/models/language (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/built-in (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/modes (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/privacy (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/download (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/common-issues/app-wont-launch (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://wisprflow.ai/pricing (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://wisprflow.ai/privacy (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
Which is best: superwhisper, Wispr Flow or MacWhisper?
MacWhisper for recordings, Wispr Flow for cloud dictation with rewriting on every device, superwhisper for dictation that can run on the Mac.
Which of the three works offline?
superwhisper and MacWhisper, with local models. Wispr Flow needs a connection.
Which of the three is cheapest?
All have a free tier. Paid, MacWhisper Pro is €64 once, superwhisper is $8.49 a month or $249.99 once, and Wispr Flow is $15 a month or $12 billed yearly. Checked October 2026.
Is there a free app that does the basics of all three?
YapToText: free dictation with cleanup and plain text from files, on one Apple silicon Mac.