Speakmac Lab
Speakmac vs Whisper Notes: Live Dictation vs Offline Transcription
If you're evaluating these two apps, the first point is already established: both work entirely offline, do not upload audio, and require only a single payment. The remaining question is workflow alignment.
Updated February 2026: Pricing and workflow details were re-checked against publicly available product information.
At a Glance
| Decision factor | Speakmac | Whisper Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 one-time | $4.99 one-time (Mac + iOS) |
| Free tier limits | No free tier | No free tier |
| Offline support | Core workflow | Core workflow |
| Cloud processing | None required | None required |
| Best for | Live dictation directly into active apps | Recording/importing audio, then transcribing and syncing notes |
Core Distinction: Speech-to-Text Timing
- Speakmac converts speech to text word-for-word as you speak; the cursor moves in real time.
- Whisper Notes captures the entire utterance first, then produces the full text.
This single difference determines which tool best supports a given task.
Speakmac: Continuous Dictation Across the Desktop
Execution Flow
- Invoke the global shortcut (e.g., double-tap Fn).
- Begin speaking.
- Words appear at the insertion point—no intermediate files or dialogs.
Use Cases
- Draft a Slack thread while browsing source code.
- Compose an email in a client’s web portal without pasting from another app.
- Iterate on prose inside Scrivener or Notion without leaving fullscreen focus.
Non-Features
Speakmac does not generate audio files or store previous sessions; once text reaches the target application, the original speech is discarded.
Whisper Notes: Capture, Process, Export
Execution Flow
- Record in-app or drag in an existing
.m4a,.wav,.mp3. - Whisper processes locally; a live progress bar shows elapsed time.
- The editable transcript appears in the same note. From here you can copy, export as TXT/JSON/SRT, or sync via iCloud to iOS.
Use Cases
- Turn a lecture recording into searchable text on your Mac, then review it on an iPad.
- Import voicemail audio and obtain a text summary without network reliance.
- Dictate into the built-in recorder while walking, then re-arrange paragraphs later.
Limitation
The system-wide quick-dictation feature also buffers the entire utterance before transcription, so “live” writing is not recommended.
Decision Guide
| Typical situation | Tool choice | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Opening any application and dictating each sentence as it forms | Speakmac | No additional context switching; words flow directly into the active cursor. |
| Holding an unstructured brainstorming session on mobile, then editing on Mac | Whisper Notes | Unified note repository plus cross-device, offline sync. |
Limitations & Trade-Offs
- Speakmac cannot produce an audio backup of what you said; the text is the only artifact.
- Whisper Notes can transcribe existing audio, but does not speed up live composition beyond pressing “pause” between sentences.
Bottom Line
Select Speakmac for zero-latency voice writing and accept the absence of recording history. Choose Whisper Notes when audio capture plus later transcription is the priority.
Related comparisons
Speakmac
Write faster with your voice
On-device dictation for Mac. Instant, private, and pause-friendly—no subscriptions.
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