Relay vs Superwhisper
Both Relay and Superwhisper transcribe your voice locally with Whisper, so audio never leaves your Mac. The difference is reach and price. Superwhisper is a paid power-user tool ($8.49/mo or $249 lifetime) with deep model menus. Relay is free during beta and aims for a simpler, dictate-and-go flow.
Last updated . Prices and vendor claims come from the sources listed at the end of the page; re-check before purchase.
Superwhisper is the most-recommended on-device dictation app on Mac, and deservedly so. It is flexible and private. Relay shares its core promise (local Whisper, works in any app) but trades configurability for simplicity and a free beta.
Relay vs Superwhisper at a glance
| Relay | Superwhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Transcription | On-device, local Whisper (whisper.cpp) | On-device, local Whisper (offline) |
| Platforms | macOS, Apple Silicon | macOS (Intel + Apple Silicon), Windows, iOS |
| Works in any app | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free during beta | Free tier; Pro $8.49/mo or $84.99/yr; Lifetime $249.99 |
| AI cleanup | Optional, local model or your own API key | Cloud LLMs or local, BYO API key |
| Model selection | Curated (Raw / Clean / Rewrite modes) | Full Whisper model picker (tiny to large-v3) |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Steeper, many settings |
| File transcription | No (live dictation focus) | Yes |
Where they really differ
Simplicity vs control. Superwhisper exposes the full Whisper model ladder, custom prompt modes, per-app presets and shell triggers. Powerful, but reviewers consistently note a 15 to 30 minute setup and an "overwhelming" settings surface. Relay ships three fixed modes (⌘1 Raw, ⌘2 Clean, ⌘3 AI rewrite tuned to the app you're in) and a single hotkey. Less to tune, less to learn.
Privacy fine print. Both keep transcription on-device. Worth knowing: Superwhisper keeps its history files in a ~/superwhisper folder (per its docs), and users report that dictation audio is saved there by default unless you turn recording storage off in settings. Relay holds audio in memory only and does not write it to disk. If retention matters to you, check that setting in Superwhisper.
Price. Superwhisper's lifetime license is $249.99, fair for a mature tool but real money up front. Relay is free during the beta.
Pick Superwhisper if…
- You want the full Whisper model picker and custom prompt modes
- You're on Intel Mac, Windows, or iOS (Relay needs Apple Silicon)
- You need to transcribe recorded audio/video files
- You'll invest time tuning a power-user setup
Pick Relay if…
- You want it to just work with no configuration
- You want on-device dictation for free
- You mainly dictate into apps (Slack, email, editors) live
- You prefer a curated 3-mode flow over a settings maze
If you're already happy in Superwhisper and use its file transcription or model controls, there's no reason to switch. If you bounced off its complexity or don't want to pay yet, Relay covers the common case (dictate anywhere, locally) for free.
Sources
- Superwhisper: pricing and platforms (superwhisper.com) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Superwhisper docs: advanced settings, configuration and history folder (checked 2026-09-10)
- Relay release notes (GitHub) (checked 2026-09-10)
Frequently asked questions
Is Relay or Superwhisper more private?
Both transcribe on-device with local Whisper, so neither sends your voice to the cloud for transcription. One nuance: users report that Superwhisper saves dictation audio to a local folder by default unless you switch that off. Relay keeps audio in memory only and does not retain it. Optional AI cleanup in either app uses whatever model you point it at.
Does Superwhisper have a free version?
Yes, Superwhisper has a free tier with smaller local models. Its paid Pro is $8.49/month or $84.99/year, and a lifetime license is $249.99. Relay is currently free during its beta.
Can Relay transcribe audio files like Superwhisper?
Not today. Relay is focused on live dictation into apps. Superwhisper (and MacWhisper) can transcribe pre-recorded audio and video files. If file transcription is your main need, those are the better fit.
Do both work offline?
Yes. Because transcription runs locally, both Relay and Superwhisper work without an internet connection. Optional cloud AI cleanup would need a connection.
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)