Superwhisper alternatives for Mac: no account, no subscription

Superwhisper is a capable app: local and cloud models, writing modes, file and meeting transcription. Pro is $8.49 a month, and you need an account. If you mostly dictate into apps and want everything to stay on your Mac, these are worth a look. Facts are from each app's site, checked October 2, 2026; we make ZenVoice.

ZenVoice

Every model runs on your Mac: you choose from 14, including NVIDIA Parakeet V3 and Whisper Large V3 Turbo, with published benchmarks. Tone follows the app automatically instead of modes you switch, and you can select text and say “make it shorter”. Free for 14 days, then $14.99 once for two Macs at launch. ZenVoice vs Superwhisper.

SpeakMac

Local, no account, $29 once for one Mac. It keeps Superwhisper's file and meeting transcription, which ZenVoice doesn't have. ZenVoice vs SpeakMac.

VoiceInk

Open source and local, from $25 once. A good fit if you want to read the code. ZenVoice vs VoiceInk.

MacWhisper

If what you used Superwhisper for was mostly files and meetings, MacWhisper is file-first and has a free version; Pro is €64 once. ZenVoice vs MacWhisper.

Which one

Dictating into apps all day: ZenVoice or SpeakMac. Transcribing recordings: MacWhisper. Want open source: VoiceInk. All four let you try before you pay.