Best Dictation Software for Mac in 2025

Mac Dictation: The Current Landscape

Mac users have more dictation options than ever. Apple's built-in Dictation has improved significantly with Apple Silicon, and third-party tools like Wispr Flow and SuperWhisper take advantage of the M-series chips for impressive local processing. Here's our breakdown of every option worth considering.

1. Wispr Flow — Best Overall (8.5/10)

Wispr Flow is our top pick for Mac dictation. It works system-wide in any app, uses AI to correct grammar and formatting, and transcribes with 96-99% accuracy. The free tier (50 min/month) lets you try it, and the Pro plan ($8.99/mo) is unlimited. The only downside: it requires an internet connection.

2. SuperWhisper — Best for Privacy (8.0/10)

SuperWhisper runs OpenAI Whisper models entirely on your Mac. No internet needed, no data sent to servers. It's the best option for medical professionals, lawyers, and anyone handling sensitive information. Accuracy (91-95%) is slightly below Wispr Flow, but the privacy trade-off is worth it for many users.

3. MacWhisper — Best Free Option (7.5/10)

MacWhisper is a lightweight Mac app that uses Whisper for local transcription. The free tier is genuinely useful, and the $29 Pro upgrade is exceptional value. Best for transcribing audio files and occasional dictation rather than constant real-time use.

4. Apple Built-in Dictation

macOS includes built-in Dictation (System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation). On Apple Silicon Macs, it processes audio on-device for better privacy. Accuracy is around 85-90% — decent for quick notes but not reliable enough for long-form content. It's free, built-in, and works everywhere, but lacks the accuracy and features of dedicated tools.

5. Dragon for Mac

Dragon for Mac has been discontinued by Nuance (now Microsoft), but Dragon Anywhere (mobile app) and Dragon Professional (Windows via Parallels) remain options. If you need Dragon's power on Mac, you'll need workarounds. For most Mac users, Wispr Flow or SuperWhisper are better native options.

Comparison Table

Wispr Flow: 8.5/10, $8.99/mo, Cloud, System-wide. SuperWhisper: 8.0/10, $4.99/mo, Offline, System-wide. MacWhisper: 7.5/10, Free/$29, Offline, App-only. Apple Dictation: 7.0/10, Free, On-device, System-wide.

Our Recommendation

For most Mac users, start with Wispr Flow's free tier. If privacy matters more than accuracy, go with SuperWhisper. If you just need occasional transcription, MacWhisper's free version is hard to beat. Apple's built-in Dictation is fine for quick messages but not for serious writing.