Spake, MacWhisper and Superwhisper
Three jobs
MacWhisper transcribes audio: files you drop on it, and meetings, with no bot joining the call. If you have recordings to transcribe, or you want audio-only meeting transcripts for a single payment, it's a mature choice.1
Superwhisper is dictation first: you talk, and the words go into whatever app you're typing in. It also records meetings, and it can now import meetings from other apps. If you mostly dictate, it's the better tool for that.2
Spake keeps a note about what's on your screen. You talk while you look at something, and the note keeps your words beside a recording of the screen, with the text recognized on it, as plain files.
Side by side
| Compared | MacWhisper | Superwhisper | Spake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Transcribe audio and files; meetings1 | Dictation into any app; meetings2 | A note with a recording of the screen |
| Records the screen | Not mentioned on its site1 | Not mentioned on its site; it reads on-screen context (selected text, the active window's text) to shape dictation2,3 | Yes, MP4 plus screen text |
| Transcription | Local models, optional cloud1 | Local and cloud models2 | Local only (Parakeet, Whisper) |
| Output | Transcripts and exports1 | Text typed into apps; meeting notes2 | A folder: Markdown, JSON, WAV, MP4, captions, stills |
| Price | Free; Pro €64 once1Checked on 13 November 2026 | Free plan with local models; Pro $8.49 a month, $84.99 a year, or $249.99 once2,4Checked on 13 November 2026 | $29 once, up to 3 Macs |
Using them together
Try it
$29 once, up to 3 Macs. 14-day trial with everything on. 30-day refunds. Apple silicon, macOS 15 or later.
What a note is on disk: the note format. What Spake sends over the network, and when: privacy.
Sources
Facts about other products, and the day each was read.
MacWhisper. Free; Pro €64 once with lifetime updates. Transcribes files and records meetings with “No bots joining”. Local models with an optional cloud. Screen recording is not mentioned.
Superwhisper. Dictation first. 3.3.0 (12 November 2026) imports meetings from other apps; 3.1.0 records FaceTime calls. A free plan with local models; Pro adds cloud models. Screen recording is not mentioned.
Superwhisper. Its context feature reads selected text, the active window's text and title, and the clipboard, through the Accessibility permission.
Superwhisper. Pro is $8.49 a month, $84.99 a year, or $249.99 once (Lifetime); every plan has the same features.