Speakmac vs Superwhisper: Two Offline Dictation Apps Compared

Both Speakmac and Superwhisper offer something rare in the dictation world: true offline, on-device speech recognition. No cloud servers, no privacy trade-offs, no internet dependency. But they take very different approaches to achieve it.

If you're searching for a Superwhisper alternative—or just trying to decide between these two privacy-first Mac dictation apps—here's what you need to know.

The Quick Comparison

Feature	Speakmac	Superwhisper
Pricing	$19 one-time	$249 lifetime or $8.49/month
Processing	100% on-device	100% on-device
Internet Required	No	No
App Size	4 MB	Medium-large
Setup Complexity	Plug-and-play	Multiple models & modes to configure
Target User	Everyone	Power users
Privacy	Audio never leaves Mac	Audio never leaves Mac

Pricing: Simpler vs Flexible

Superwhisper offers multiple pricing paths:

• Free version: 15 minutes recording time, access to small AI models (Nano, Fast, Standard)
• Pro Plan: $8.49/month
• Lifetime license: $249

Speakmac uses straightforward one-time pricing:

• Full app: $19
• No tiers, no word limits
• All updates included

Real Cost Over Time

Timeframe	Speakmac	Superwhisper Pro (monthly)	Superwhisper Lifetime
Year 1	$19	$102	$249
Year 2	$19	$204	$249
Year 3	$19	$306	$249
Year 5	$19	$510	$249

Speakmac is 92% cheaper than Superwhisper's lifetime license and 96% cheaper than the subscription over five years.

Even if you prefer Superwhisper's lifetime option, $249 is still 13x the cost of Speakmac.

Both Are Offline & Private

Here's where these apps align: both process audio 100% on your device.

• No cloud servers
• No audio uploads
• No internet required
• Complete data sovereignty

If privacy is your primary concern, both apps deliver. Your voice data never leaves your Mac with either tool.

The Key Difference: Simplicity vs Power

This is where Speakmac and Superwhisper diverge most significantly.

Superwhisper is built for power users:

• Multiple AI model tiers (Nano, Fast, Pro, Ultra)—you choose speed vs accuracy
• Custom prompt controls and modes
• Translation options
• Voice recordings with summaries
• Deep customisation possibilities

Superwhisper users love creating custom workflows, switching between modes, and fine-tuning their setup. Product Hunt reviewers call it "quite possibly one of my favorite products ever."

But that flexibility comes with complexity. Users also note:

• "May feel overwhelming" for those wanting simple dictation
• "Initial setup can be tricky"
• "Configuration and technical requirements" can be challenging
• Mode switching can be "cumbersome"

Speakmac is built for immediate use:

• One model, optimised for accuracy
• Works immediately after installation
• No configuration required
• Global hotkey, start dictating

Speakmac treats dictation as something that should "just work." You download it, launch it, and dictate. No model selection, no mode configuration, no learning curve.

Who Each App Serves

Superwhisper appeals to:

• Power users who enjoy configuration
• Users who want control over speed/accuracy trade-offs
• Technical users comfortable with setup
• Users who need custom prompts and modes
• People who dictate in many different contexts and want tailored workflows

Speakmac appeals to:

• Users who want plug-and-play simplicity
• People frustrated by complex setup processes
• Writers, professionals, and creators who need dictation as a daily tool
• Mac minimalists who prefer lightweight, focused apps
• Anyone who wants to dictate without becoming a "dictation software expert"

Performance Considerations

Superwhisper:

• Accuracy varies based on model selection
• Ultra model offers best accuracy but requires significant processing time
• Works best on Apple Silicon; Intel Mac experience is more limited
• Manual transcript cleanup often required

Speakmac:

• 99.7% accuracy with optimised on-device model
• Consistent performance regardless of configuration
• Automatic punctuation and spacing
• 4 MB app footprint

Both apps work offline and both use Whisper-based technology, but Speakmac removes the decision fatigue by pre-selecting the optimal model configuration.

Feature Comparison

Superwhisper advantages:

• Model flexibility (trade speed for accuracy or vice versa)
• Custom prompts and recording modes
• Translation capabilities
• 100+ language support
• Deep customisation for workflows

Speakmac advantages:

• Zero setup required
• Consistent, optimised accuracy
• Tiny 4 MB footprint
• Pause-friendly dictation
• One-time $19 purchase vs $249 lifetime

Common Questions

Which has better accuracy?

Both can achieve 95-99% accuracy on English. Superwhisper's accuracy depends heavily on model selection (Ultra is most accurate but slowest). Speakmac provides consistent 99.7% accuracy with its pre-optimised model.

Do I need an Apple Silicon Mac?

Both work best on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs). Superwhisper users report Intel Mac experience is more limited—cloud models work better on older hardware. Speakmac is optimised for Apple Silicon with Intel support.

Can I use custom prompts with Speakmac?

Speakmac focuses on straightforward dictation rather than custom prompt workflows. If you need custom modes and prompts, Superwhisper offers more flexibility.

Which is easier to set up?

Speakmac. You download, install, and start dictating. Superwhisper requires choosing models, configuring modes, and understanding the various options. Users describe Superwhisper's "flexibility comes with complexity."

What about translation?

Superwhisper includes translation options. Speakmac is focused on dictation accuracy rather than translation features.

Is the $249 lifetime price worth it?

That depends on your needs. If you'll use Superwhisper's advanced customisation features extensively, $249 might deliver value. But if you just want accurate dictation that works, Speakmac's $19 achieves that at 1/13th the cost.

The Bottom Line

Superwhisper is a powerful, customisable tool built for users who want deep control over their dictation workflow. It's the power user's choice—but that power comes with setup complexity and a higher price tag.

Speakmac is the "it just works" alternative. Same offline privacy, same high accuracy, but wrapped in a package that requires zero configuration and costs 92% less.

Both apps keep your audio private. Both work offline. The question is whether you want a configurable toolkit or a tool that's ready to use the moment you install it.

If you've looked at Superwhisper and thought "I just want to dictate, not become a Whisper model expert," Speakmac might be exactly what you're looking for.