Pick your model
Choose multilingual Parakeet or Whisper sizes up to Large v3 for better accuracy on jargon, names, and code.
Apple Dictation alternative
A more accurate alternative to Apple Dictation.
Built-in Apple Dictation is free and fine for short snippets. Voixe is also free and on-device, but gives you model choice, a hotkey loop you control, and more reliable results on technical terms and longer passages.
Quick answer
Why switch from the built-in tool?
Apple Dictation is the convenient default. People move to Voixe when they hit its accuracy ceiling or want more control over the workflow — without giving up privacy or paying a subscription.
Hotkey you control
Hold-to-talk or double-tap modes, a configurable hotkey, and auto-paste wherever your cursor is.
Still free and private
Like Apple Dictation, Voixe runs on-device and costs nothing. No account, no subscription, no cloud.
| Category | Voixe | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. | Free (built into macOS). |
| Transcription | On-device, your choice of Parakeet or Whisper. | On-device on supported languages and Macs. |
| Model choice | Yes — swap models for speed or accuracy. | No — single built-in engine. |
| Recording modes | Hold-to-talk and double-tap, configurable hotkey. | Toggle via a shortcut key. |
| Extras | Transcript history, text transforms, auto-paste. | Basic insert at cursor. |
Choose Voixe when accuracy and control matter.
If Apple Dictation keeps mangling technical terms, cutting off on longer thoughts, or you just want a faster hold-to-talk loop, Voixe gives you bigger models and a workflow you tune — for free.
Stick with Apple Dictation for the basics.
For occasional short dictation where the built-in engine already does the job, there is nothing to install. Voixe is for when you outgrow it.
Questions
Before you switch.
Is Voixe a free alternative to Apple Dictation?
Yes. Both are free and on-device. Voixe adds model choice, hold-to-talk and double-tap modes, history, and more consistent pasting across apps.
Is Voixe more accurate than Apple Dictation?
You can choose larger models like Whisper Large v3 or multilingual Parakeet, which often handle technical terms, names, and longer passages better than the built-in engine.
Does Voixe work in every Mac app?
Yes. It pastes into whatever app has your cursor — Slack, Mail, Notes, Xcode, Chrome, and more — using a hotkey you control.
Does Voixe send my voice to the cloud?
No. Parakeet and Whisper run locally through Core ML, so your speech is processed on your Mac.
Outgrew Apple Dictation? Try Voixe free.
Voixe is independent and is not affiliated with Apple. It is a free, on-device Mac dictation app for people who want more accuracy and control than the built-in tool.