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SayWrite vs MacWhisper
MacWhisper is mainly a file-transcription app with a dictation mode; SayWrite is a dictation-first app that also transcribes files, and both run speech locally.
7 days free · no card, no account · then $30/year or $5/month · no word limit
On your phone? SayWrite runs on a Mac. Send yourself the link and download it there.
Not affiliated; trademarks belong to their owners. MacWhisper is a trademark of its owner, and SayWrite is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Competitor details come from their public websites and documentation as of . Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
- ≈0.2 s warmstop to result in an archived M5 Pro speech test. Test conditions
- 0 bytesof your audio uploaded for transcription. What does go online
- Offlinedictation keeps working on a plane, with the speech model downloaded and ready
- $30/yrafter a 7-day free trial, with no word limit
Side by side
SayWrite and MacWhisper, compared
| Feature | SayWrite | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Local transcription | Yes, always | Yes: “without data ever leaving your Mac”Source: macwhisper.com |
| Main focus | Dictating into any app with the Fn key; file transcription too | Transcribing audio, video and meetings; system-wide dictation includedSource: macwhisper.com |
| AI rewriting | Local only: Apple Intelligence, Ollama or LM Studio | Pro connects to cloud providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others) and to local models via Ollama and LM StudioSource: macwhisper.com |
| Price | 7-day free trial, then $5/month or $30/year | Free version; Pro €64, one-timeSource: macwhisper.com |
| Languages | English | 100+ languagesSource: macwhisper.com |
| File export | .txt, .md and .srt | See macwhisper.com for current export formatsUnverified |
| Speaking vs typing speed stats | Yes: speaking and typing WPM on your Mac, words dictated and time saved | Not verified on its public pagesUnverified |
| Per-app AI Polish rules | Yes: e.g. Slack and Mail always polished, Messages cleaned up, code editors as dictated | Not verified on its public pagesUnverified |
Focus
Dictation-first vs file-first
MacWhisper's site leads with file and meeting transcription: drag in audio or video, record calls, transcribe YouTube, with speaker recognition and more than 100 languages. System-wide dictation is included, and Pro adds higher-quality dictation with AI prompts. (Source: macwhisper.com)
SayWrite is built the other way round. Holding Fn to talk into whatever app you're using is the core, with filler removal, AI Polish, spoken commands, snippets and a personal dictionary. File transcription is there too: drop in an MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4 or MOV and export .txt, .md or .srt. Processing time varies with the recording and your Mac.
Privacy
Where AI prompts go
MacWhisper Pro can send text to cloud AI providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, and it can also use local models through Ollama and LM Studio. (Source: macwhisper.com) SayWrite only ever uses local AI: Apple's on-device model, or your server at 127.0.0.1. There's no setting that sends text elsewhere.
Price
Price
MacWhisper has a free version, and Pro is a one-time €64 license. (Source: macwhisper.com) SayWrite is a subscription: $5 a month or $30 a year after a 7-day free trial (pricing).
The honest answer
Which should you choose?
Choose MacWhisper if…
- You mostly transcribe interviews, lectures, podcasts or meetings.
- You need speaker recognition, YouTube transcription or many languages.
- You want the option of cloud AI providers for summaries and prompts.
Choose SayWrite if…
- Dictation into whatever app you're using is the main job.
- You want AI cleanup that can't reach the cloud, even by accident: SayWrite only talks to 127.0.0.1.
- You want hold-to-talk on the Fn key, snippets, spoken commands and a personal dictionary.
Frequently asked questions
Can MacWhisper dictate into other apps?
Yes. As of September 29, 2026, MacWhisper's site lists system-wide dictation in its free version, with higher-quality dictation and AI prompts in Pro. SayWrite is built around dictation first.
Can SayWrite transcribe audio files like MacWhisper?
Yes. Drop an audio or video file into SayWrite's Files section to get timestamped text and export .txt, .md or .srt. It uses the same on-device model as dictation. MacWhisper has more file-focused features, such as speaker recognition.
Do both work offline?
Both run speech recognition on your Mac. SayWrite never sends your audio or text to a cloud service; MacWhisper Pro can connect to cloud AI providers if you set them up.
Sources
Accessed .
- macwhisper.com (macwhisper.com)
Keep reading
Say it messy. We'll write it neat.
Try it free for 7 days in the app: no card, no account. Then $30 a year or $5 a month, charged when you buy. No word limit.
On your phone? SayWrite runs on a Mac. Send yourself the link and download it there.
7-day free trial · no card, no account · macOS 15+ · Apple silicon