How much do dictation apps cost?
Dictation apps split into three pricing models: free / on-device (Relay, Apple Dictation), one-time purchase (MacWhisper about EUR 59, VoiceInk $25-$49, Superwhisper $249 lifetime), and subscription (Wispr Flow $12-15/mo, Aqua Voice about $8/mo, Superwhisper $8.49/mo). Here's every option with the real numbers.
Last updated . Prices and vendor claims come from the sources listed at the end of the page; re-check before purchase.
Pricing is the question vendors are least transparent about, so here it is plainly. Figures were checked on 2026-09-10 against the sources listed at the end of this page. Always re-check before buying.
Full price comparison
| Relay | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | Free during the beta (paid plans planned; nothing announced yet) | On-device |
| Apple Dictation | Free (built into macOS) | On-device |
| VoiceInk | $25-$49 one-time, or free from source (open-source) | On-device |
| MacWhisper | Free tier; about EUR 59 (~$69) one-time (Gumroad) | On-device |
| Superwhisper | Free tier; $8.49/mo or $84.99/yr; $249.99 lifetime | On-device |
| Aqua Voice | 1,000 free words; about $8/mo (annual) | Cloud |
| Wispr Flow | Free 2,000 words/wk; $15/mo ($12/mo annual) | Cloud |
| Otter.ai | Free 300 min/mo; Pro about $8.33-$16.99/mo | Cloud (meetings) |
| Dragon Professional | About $699 one-time at resellers (Windows only) | On-device |
Which model is cheapest for you?
If you dictate daily: a free on-device tool (Relay now, or Apple Dictation) or a one-time purchase (MacWhisper, VoiceInk) beats a subscription over a year. Wispr Flow at $144/year adds up fast.
If you want zero risk: start free. Apple Dictation is built in, and Relay is free during beta. There's no reason to pay before you know dictation fits your workflow.
Why some are subscriptions: the cloud tools (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) have a real per-word server cost, so they meter usage. On-device tools don't have that marginal cost, which is why free and one-time pricing is common there.
Watch the "lifetime" labels: Superwhisper's $249.99 lifetime is genuine but a real up-front sum; MacWhisper's one-time license is cheaper. Compare against what you'd actually use.
See the full breakdown by use case in best Mac dictation apps, or the privacy angle in best local dictation apps.
Sources
- Superwhisper: pricing and platforms (superwhisper.com) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Wispr Flow pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- MacWhisper on Gumroad (price and features) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Aqua Voice pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- VoiceInk: pricing and requirements (tryvoiceink.com) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Otter.ai pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- Dragon Professional v16 reseller listing (Staples, $699) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Nuance: Dragon Professional (Windows) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Apple Support: Dictate messages and documents on Mac (checked 2026-09-10)
- Relay release notes (GitHub) (checked 2026-09-10)
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest dictation app for Mac?
Apple Dictation is free and built in. Relay is free during its beta. Open-source VoiceInk can be built from source for free, or bought once for $25-$49. These all beat subscriptions over time.
Are dictation apps a one-time purchase or subscription?
Both exist. One-time: MacWhisper (about EUR 59), VoiceInk ($25-$49), Superwhisper lifetime ($249.99). Subscription: Wispr Flow ($12-15/mo), Aqua Voice (about $8/mo), Superwhisper Pro ($8.49/mo). Free/on-device: Relay (beta) and Apple Dictation.
Why do some dictation apps charge monthly?
Cloud-based apps (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice) process your audio on their servers, which has an ongoing per-word cost, so they charge subscriptions and meter free tiers. On-device apps run on your Mac with no server cost, so they more often use free or one-time pricing.
Is Relay going to stay free?
Relay is free during its beta. Paid plans are planned but no prices have been published yet; whatever changes will be posted on this site first. You can start now at no cost and no card.
Start free
Relay is free during the beta. On-device, any app, no card required.
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)