Is voice dictation private?
It depends entirely on one thing: whether the app transcribes on-device or in the cloud. On-device apps (Relay, Superwhisper, VoiceInk, Apple Dictation) process your voice locally, so audio never leaves your Mac. Cloud apps (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Otter) send your audio to their servers to transcribe it.
Last updated . Prices and vendor claims come from the sources listed at the end of the page; re-check before purchase.
"Is my voice being recorded and sent somewhere?" is the right question to ask of any dictation tool. The honest answer is that some keep everything local and some don't, and it's not always obvious from the marketing.
On-device vs cloud, what it means for you
On-device (local): transcription runs on your Mac's own processor. Your audio is never uploaded, the app works offline, and there's no server that could be breached or subpoenaed. This is the most private option.
Cloud: your audio is streamed to the vendor's servers (often running on third-party AI infrastructure), transcribed there, and the text is sent back. This can be more accurate on specialized vocabulary, but your speech leaves your machine, and you're trusting the vendor's data handling.
Which apps are which
| Relay | Privacy by app | |
|---|---|---|
| On-device (audio stays local) | Relay, Superwhisper, VoiceInk, Apple Dictation | These never upload your voice |
| Cloud (audio uploaded) | Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Otter.ai | These send audio to servers |
How to check any dictation app
- Does it work offline? If you can turn off Wi-Fi and it still transcribes, it's on-device. If it stops, it's cloud.
- Is there a free word/minute cap? Hard usage caps usually mean cloud (the vendor pays per word). Unmetered usually means on-device.
- Read the privacy policy for "audio is processed on our servers" vs "processing happens on your device."
- Check for retained recordings. Even some on-device apps save audio files locally by default (users report Superwhisper does, with a setting to turn it off), so look in settings.
Relay is on-device by design: it transcribes locally with Whisper, your voice never leaves your Mac, and audio is held in memory only, never written to disk. If privacy is your priority, see the best local dictation apps.
Sources
- Superwhisper docs: advanced settings, configuration and history folder (checked 2026-09-10)
- Wispr Flow pricing page (checked 2026-09-10)
- Aqua Voice FAQ (cloud processing, HIPAA) (checked 2026-09-10)
- Otter.ai pricing page (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
Does dictation software record my voice?
It transcribes your voice, and whether it keeps a recording depends on the app. Relay processes audio locally and does not retain it. Some on-device apps save recordings to disk locally (users report Superwhisper does by default). Cloud apps send your audio to their servers. Check each app's settings and privacy policy.
Which dictation apps don't send my voice to the cloud?
Relay, Superwhisper, VoiceInk, and Apple Dictation all transcribe on-device, so your voice stays on your Mac. Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, and Otter.ai are cloud-based and upload your audio.
How can I tell if a dictation app is private?
The quickest test is to disconnect from the internet. If it still transcribes, it runs on-device and keeps your audio local. If it stops working, it relies on the cloud and is sending your audio to a server.
Is on-device dictation safe for sensitive or confidential work?
On-device dictation is the safest option because your audio never leaves your machine, which avoids server-side exposure. For regulated work (medical/legal), also confirm whether the app retains local recordings and whether you need a formal compliance agreement.
Keep your voice on your Mac
Relay transcribes on-device with Whisper. Nothing uploaded. Free during 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)