Best free AI dictation apps for Mac
"Free" means very different things across AI dictation apps. Some are genuinely free (Relay during beta, Apple Dictation, open-source VoiceInk); others give you a small free tier and then charge. Here's what's actually free, what AI each uses, and where the catch is.
Last updated . Prices and vendor claims come from the sources listed at the end of the page; re-check before purchase.
Searching for a free AI dictation app turns up a lot of "free" labels that are really limited trials. This breaks down what each one actually gives you for nothing, so you don't hit a paywall after a few hundred words.
What's genuinely free
Relay, free during beta, on-device AI
Unmetered during the beta: dictate into any app, on-device Whisper transcription, plus AI cleanup modes (local or your own key). No word caps, no card. Free during the beta. vs Wispr Flow
Apple Dictation, free and built in
On-device on Apple Silicon, zero cost, already on your Mac. Basic formatting and no AI rewrite, but genuinely free forever. vs Relay
VoiceInk, free if you build it
Open-source (GPLv3). Free to compile from source; the prebuilt app is a one-time $25 and up. On-device. Plainer UI. vs Relay
Free tiers with limits
| Relay | The free tiers | |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | Free during beta, unmetered | On-device AI |
| Apple Dictation | Free forever (built in) | On-device, basic |
| VoiceInk | Free from source; $25+ prebuilt | On-device, open source |
| Wispr Flow | ~2,000 words/week, then $12-15/mo | Cloud AI |
| Superwhisper | Free tier (small models); Pro $8.49/mo | On-device + cloud |
| MacWhisper | Free tier (small models); ~EUR 59 once | On-device, file-first |
| Aqua Voice | 1,000 words total, then ~$8/mo | Cloud AI |
So which free AI dictation app should you use?
If you want unmetered, on-device AI dictation in any app for free, Relay is the most generous option during its beta. If you only dictate occasionally, Apple Dictation is free forever. If you want open-source, VoiceInk is free to build. The cloud apps (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) have free tiers small enough that you'll hit the paywall quickly. For the full picture see best Mac dictation apps and how much they cost.
Sources
- Apple Support: Dictate messages and documents on Mac (checked 2026-09-10)
- VoiceInk: pricing and requirements (tryvoiceink.com) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Wispr Flow pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- Superwhisper: pricing and platforms (superwhisper.com) (checked 2026-09-10)
- MacWhisper on Gumroad (price and features) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Aqua Voice pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- Relay release notes (GitHub) (checked 2026-09-10)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free AI dictation app for Mac?
Relay is the most generous during its beta: unmetered on-device AI dictation in any app, no word caps or card. Apple Dictation is free forever but basic. Open-source VoiceInk is free to build from source. The cloud apps (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) have small free tiers that run out fast.
Are any AI dictation apps completely free?
Yes. Apple Dictation is free forever and built into macOS. Relay is free and unmetered during its beta. VoiceInk is open-source and free if you build it from source. Most others (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Superwhisper Pro) are paid after a limited free tier.
Is Relay free, and what's the catch?
Relay is free and unmetered during its beta, with no credit card. The honest catch is that it's in beta (improving, may have rough edges) and paid plans are planned for later, with no prices published yet. Transcription stays on-device throughout.
Do free dictation apps use AI?
Some do. Relay uses on-device Whisper for transcription plus optional AI cleanup. Apple Dictation uses Apple's on-device speech model. Cloud apps like Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice use cloud AI. The AI is what turns raw speech into clean, formatted text.
Free AI dictation, no word caps
Relay: on-device AI voice typing for any Mac app. Free during the beta, unmetered.
Download for MacFree during the beta · Apple Silicon (M1 or later) · Your voice never leaves your Mac
Get a license key and release notes by email (optional; the download does not require it)