Mac dictation apps compared: Howl, Apple Dictation, Wispr Flow, superwhisper, MacWhisper
Checked on each app’s official pages on November 5, 2026. Prices and features change; the sources below have the current details. Written by the maker of Howl.
| App | Price | Speech recognition | Cleanup | Own API key · local model | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howl | Free | On your Mac (Apple speech recognition) | Removes filler words; rewrites with what’s on screen; translation | Both | macOS 26 or later |
| Apple Dictation (macOS 26) | Included with macOS | On your Mac or on Apple servers (Keyboard settings show which) | Automatic punctuation (filler removal not documented) | Not applicable | Mac |
| Wispr Flow | Free (on Mac, slows after 2,000 words a week and blocks above 5,000); Pro $15/month ($12/month billed yearly) | Cloud | Removes filler words; style by app | Not mentioned in official docs | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
| superwhisper | Free (local models); Pro $8.49/month, $84.99/year or $249.99 lifetime | On device on Free; Pro adds cloud models | Modes for tone and structure; Super Mode adapts to your screen | Local models; own API key on Pro | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android |
| MacWhisper | Free; Pro €64 one-time | On device (remote models optional) | Removes filler words; auto cleanup | Both (AI dictation needs Pro and your own key) | Mac |
Howl’s row comes from the Howl app’s code; the others come from each company’s official pages. This table doesn’t compare accuracy or speed.