Alternatives · October 29, 2026
Apple Dictation is a good fit if you only use Apple devices. It's a poor fit if you also use Windows, Linux or Android, you dictate long documents and you want rewriting into a different tone. Here's every option we track, ranked by how much it improves on Apple Dictation.
Covers every platform, including Linux and a Chrome extension, with optional offline mode and file transcription. There's a trial rather than a free plan.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support, Linux support, Android support, offline dictation, AI rewriting and audio file transcription.
Gives up: a free plan, voice commands and no install.
Runs speech models on your own machine with customizable AI modes. Best on a recent Mac; Windows is still catching up and there's no Android or Linux.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support, offline dictation, AI rewriting and audio file transcription.
Gives up: voice commands and no install.
Speech to text in your browser. Live dictation with spoken punctuation, voice commands, a custom vocabulary and AI rewrite modes. Nothing to install.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support, Linux support, Android support and AI rewriting.
Gives up: a free plan, iPhone support, typing straight into other apps and offline dictation.
Polished cloud dictation with strong AI cleanup and team plans. The most expensive subscription here, and no Linux or offline mode.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support, Android support and AI rewriting.
Gives up: a free plan, offline dictation and no install.
Press Win + H and talk. Free and everywhere on Windows, but basic punctuation and Windows-only.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support and AI rewriting.
Gives up: Mac support, iPhone support and offline dictation.
Solid free dictation as long as you're writing in Google Docs in Chrome. It doesn't help anywhere else.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support and Linux support.
Gives up: iPhone support, typing straight into other apps and offline dictation.
The long-standing choice for heavy Windows voice control and custom commands. Expensive up front, Windows-only, and with no AI rewriting.
Better than Apple Dictation at: Windows support, offline dictation and audio file transcription.
Gives up: a free plan, Mac support, iPhone support, typing straight into other apps and no install.
Checked October 29, 2026. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every app.
| Feature | Apple Dictation | Voicy | Superwhisper | DictaroOurs | Wispr Flow | Windows Voice Typing | Google Docs Voice Typing | Dragon Professional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ||||||||
| Free plan | YesBuilt in | LimitedFree trial: 30 minutes of recording | YesFree plan with smaller local models | LimitedFree trial: 30 minutes of dictation | LimitedBasic: 2,000 words a week on desktop | YesBuilt in (Win + H) | YesFree with a Google account | NoNo trial advertised |
| Paid plans | Free, built into Apple devices | Pro $8.49/mo or $82/yr; $260 lifetime | Free; Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr or $249.99 lifetime | Pro $7.59/mo or $73/yr; $234 lifetime; Teams $6.09/user/mo | Free Basic; Pro $15/mo or $144/yr | Free, built into Windows | Free inside Google Docs | About $699 one-time (v16, via resellers) |
| One-time option | YesFree | Yes$260 once | Yes$249.99 once | Yes$234 once | No | YesFree | YesFree | Yes$699 once |
| Platforms | ||||||||
| Mac | Yes | Yes | Yes | YesChrome, Edge or Safari | Yes | No | YesIn Chrome | NoNo Mac version since 2018 |
| Windows | No | Yes | LimitedSome features still in development | YesChrome or Edge | Yes | Yes | YesIn Chrome | YesWindows 10 and 11 |
| Linux | No | Yes | No | YesChrome or Edge | No | No | YesIn Chrome | No |
| iPhone | YesiPhone and iPad | Yes | YesiPhone and iPad | LimitedSafari support varies by iOS version | Yes | No | NoNot in the Docs mobile app | NoDragon Anywhere stopped selling July 1, 2026 |
| Android | No | Yes | No | YesChrome | Yes | No | NoNot in the Docs mobile app | NoDragon Anywhere stopped selling July 1, 2026 |
| Dictation | ||||||||
| Types into other apps | YesAnywhere you can type | YesDesktop apps and a Chrome extension | Yes | LimitedCopies to clipboard, sends to Gmail, Outlook, ChatGPT, Claude | YesTypes into any app | YesAny text box | NoGoogle Docs and Slides notes only | LimitedFull control in supported apps, Dictation Box elsewhere |
| Works offline | LimitedSome languages and devices | YesOptional on Mac, Windows and Linux (25 languages) | YesLocal by default | NoUses your browser's speech service | NoCloud only | NoNeeds internet; Voice Access works offline | No | YesRuns on your PC |
| AI cleanup and rewriting | NoAutomatic punctuation only | YesRewrite Mode and Custom Modes | YesCustom AI modes | YesPolish, email, concise, bullets, AI prompt | YesAuto cleanup, Styles, Command Mode | LimitedFluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs, English only | No | NoVoice commands and auto-text instead |
| Voice commands | YesBasic punctuation and editing | Limited | LimitedThrough custom modes | YesSpoken punctuation, new line, scratch that | YesCommand Mode | YesBasic punctuation and editing | YesPunctuation and editing commands | YesDeep voice control and custom commands |
| Transcribes audio files | No | YesUp to 60 minutes per file | YesOn the Pro plan | NoLive dictation only | NoNo file uploads | No | No | YesSingle-speaker recordings |
| Nothing to install | YesAlready on your device | NoDesktop, mobile and Chrome extension | NoDesktop and iOS apps | YesNothing to install | NoDesktop and mobile apps | YesAlready on your PC | YesTools > Voice typing | NoWindows desktop install |
YesLimitedNo
Your first 30 minutes are free. No account, no card, nothing to install.
Voicy improves on Apple Dictation in the most areas we compare: Windows support, Linux support, Android support, offline dictation, AI rewriting and audio file transcription. The right pick depends on your devices, so check the platforms in each entry.
Superwhisper, Windows Voice Typing and Google Docs Voice Typing are free to use. Dictaro has a 30-minute free trial in any modern browser.
The most common reasons: you also use Windows, Linux or Android, you dictate long documents and you want rewriting into a different tone.
Dictaro is our product. We hold it to the same rows as every other app and list where it falls short. Prices change, so confirm on each vendor's site before you buy.