What Is the Best Voice to Text App for Mac in 2026?

Looking for the best voice-to-text app for your Mac? I've tested them all. Here's what actually works in 2026.

Quick Answer

WisprFlow is the best voice-to-text app for Mac in 2026. It works system-wide, cleans up your speech with AI, and handles 170+ words per minute.

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The Contenders

1. WisprFlow (Best Overall)

Pros:

• Works in ANY app (not just Apple apps)
• AI cleans up filler words, fixes grammar
• 170+ WPM actual speed
• Learns your vocabulary
• Modern, fast, actively developed

Cons:

• Subscription pricing
• Mac only (for now)

Best for: Anyone who wants voice-to-text that actually works everywhere

Try WisprFlow Free

2. macOS Built-in Dictation

Pros:

• Free, built into your Mac
• Works offline (Enhanced Dictation)
• No additional software

Cons:

• Only works in Apple apps reliably
• Doesn't clean up speech (you get "um" and "uh")
• Slower, less accurate
• Feels dated

Best for: Casual use in Apple apps only

3. Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Pros:

• Industry standard for decades
• Very accurate once trained
• Professional features

Cons:

• Expensive ($300-700)
• Mac version discontinued (now Nuance cloud)
• Clunky, dated interface
• Steep learning curve

Best for: Legacy users who already own it

4. Whisper-based Apps

Pros:

• Open source model
• Can run locally
• Free options available

Cons:

• Requires technical setup
• Not real-time (processes after speaking)
• No system-wide integration
• DIY solution

Best for: Developers who want to tinker

Comparison Table

Feature	WisprFlow	macOS Dictation	Dragon
Works everywhere	Yes	No (Apple apps only)	Yes
Cleans up speech	Yes (AI)	No	Partially
Speed (WPM)	170+	100-120	140-160
Price	$10-20/mo	Free	$300-700
Setup time	2 min	0	30+ min
Active development	Yes	Slow	Declining

Why WisprFlow Wins

1. It Actually Works Everywhere

Click in any app—Chrome, Slack, VS Code, Word, anything—press the hotkey, and speak. Text appears. macOS dictation fails constantly in non-Apple apps.

2. AI Makes Your Speech Sound Written

When I say "So um basically what I'm thinking is that uh we should probably consider um the alternative approach", WisprFlow outputs: "We should consider the alternative approach."

That's not transcription. That's transformation.

3. Speed That Matters

I speak at about 170 WPM with WisprFlow. That's 3x my typing speed. Over a day of writing, that adds up to hours saved.

4. It Learns Your Vocabulary

Technical terms, names, jargon—WisprFlow learns what you use. After a week, it recognizes your specific vocabulary.

Getting Started

Try WisprFlow free - takes 2 minutes to install and start using.

Try WisprFlow Free

FAQ

Is the built-in Mac dictation good enough?

For occasional use in Apple apps, maybe. For serious work, no. It doesn't clean up speech, fails in many apps, and feels dated.

What about Dragon?

Dragon was great in 2010. The Mac version was discontinued. The cloud version exists but isn't competitive with modern AI tools.

Does WisprFlow work offline?

It requires internet for the AI processing that makes it work so well. The tradeoff is worth it.

Can I use this for coding?

Yes, though voice is better for prose than code. I use WisprFlow for comments, documentation, and commit messages. See my developer setup guide.

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The best voice-to-text app is the one you actually use. WisprFlow works everywhere, cleans up your speech, and gets out of your way.