Relay vs Aqua Voice
Both dictate into any app with low latency. The trade-off is cloud vs on-device. Aqua Voice uses its own cloud model ("Avalon") with strong technical-vocabulary accuracy but requires an internet connection and sends audio to its servers. Relay runs Whisper locally, works offline, and is free during beta.
Last updated . Prices and vendor claims come from the sources listed at the end of the page; re-check before purchase.
Aqua Voice has earned a reputation for accuracy on technical terms and code, and it's genuinely fast. The catch is that it's cloud-only: there's no offline mode, and your speech is processed on Aqua's servers. For privacy-sensitive work or flaky connections, that's the deciding factor.
Relay vs Aqua Voice at a glance
| Relay | Aqua Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Transcription | On-device, local Whisper | Cloud only, proprietary "Avalon" model |
| Works offline | Yes | No, internet required |
| Privacy | Voice stays on your Mac | Audio sent to Aqua's servers; no HIPAA BAA (per its FAQ) |
| Price | Free during beta | 1,000 free words; Pro ~$8/mo (billed annually) |
| Platforms | macOS, Apple Silicon | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Technical-term accuracy | Good (Whisper) | Excellent (their headline strength) |
| Languages | Whisper's 90+ | 49 |
| Works in any app | Yes | Yes |
The real decision
If privacy or offline use matters, Relay wins by default. Aqua simply can't transcribe without sending your audio to the cloud, and its own FAQ says it does not sign HIPAA business associate agreements yet. If raw accuracy on dense technical jargon is your top priority and cloud is fine, Aqua's Avalon model is genuinely strong and worth the $8/month.
Note Aqua's free tier is small (1,000 words, a few minutes of talking), so you'll decide quickly. Relay's beta is unmetered and free.
Pick Aqua Voice if…
- You want best-in-class accuracy on technical/coding vocab
- You're fine with cloud processing and need Windows or iOS
- You always have a solid internet connection
Pick Relay if…
- You want your voice to stay on your Mac
- You need dictation that works offline
- You don't want a subscription
- You want unmetered use while in beta
Sources
- Aqua Voice pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- Aqua Voice FAQ (cloud processing, HIPAA) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Relay release notes (GitHub) (checked 2026-09-10)
Frequently asked questions
Does Aqua Voice work offline?
No. Aqua Voice is cloud-only and requires an internet connection, so your audio is sent to its servers for transcription. Relay transcribes on-device with local Whisper, so it works fully offline.
Is Aqua Voice or Relay more accurate?
Aqua Voice's proprietary cloud model is marketed for very high accuracy on technical and coding vocabulary, and reviewers rate it well there. Relay uses local Whisper, which is strong general-purpose but trades a little specialized accuracy for full on-device privacy.
How much does Aqua Voice cost?
Aqua Voice offers about 1,000 free words, then Pro at roughly $8/month billed annually (~$96/year), with Team and Enterprise tiers above that. Relay is free during its beta.
Does Aqua Voice store my voice?
Aqua's FAQ says audio is processed in the cloud and never sold or shared for advertising, that an opt-in Privacy Mode stops transcript storage, and that it does not sign HIPAA business associate agreements yet. If keeping audio fully on-device is important, Relay is the safer default.
Try Relay free
On-device voice typing for any Mac app. Free during the beta.
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)