Superquill vs VoiceInk
VoiceInk is the open-source, pay-once option: transcription runs on your Mac, voice data never leaves the device, and a license starts at $25 with no subscription. Superquill is built for a different priority. Rather than raw local transcription, it focuses on turning natural speech into concise messages and AI prompts using context about your people and projects. Choose VoiceInk if fully local processing, auditable code or a one-time price matter most. Choose Superquill if you want your words made shorter and clearer automatically.
Superquill vs VoiceInk at a glance
| Feature | Superquill | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Not announced yet | One-time: $25 (1 Mac), $39 (2 Macs), $49 (3 Macs) |
| Free option | Invite-only private beta | Open source, so you can build it yourself; 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Platforms | Mac (private beta) | Mac (Apple Silicon, macOS 14.4+), iOS |
| Where speech is processed | Privacy-first by design; full details published before launch | On-device; optional cloud enhancement sends text only |
| Languages | Not announced yet | Multiple; depends on the local model |
| Best for | Turning rambling speech into short, clear messages and AI prompts, using context about your people, projects and apps | Private, local dictation with no subscription |
What is VoiceInk?
VoiceInk is an open-source, on-device dictation app for Apple Silicon Macs with a one-time price. Here’s where it’s strongest:
- Transcription is fully local. Voice data never leaves your Mac.
- Open source, so anyone can audit the code.
- One-time purchase with lifetime updates, no subscription.
- Custom dictionary, Smart Replace text expansion and voice editing of selected text.
Things to consider
- Requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.4 or later.
- Getting AI rewriting means configuring enhancement models yourself.
What is Superquill?
Superquill is a voice-to-text app from the team behind Whispy. Hold a shortcut, speak naturally, release, and Superquill writes what you meant into the app you’re using, in fewer words. It uses context about your people, projects and way of saying things, so names come out right and a winding thought becomes a clear message or AI prompt. Superquill is in private beta.
You say“Okay, so, um, when someone starts typing, the results should narrow down as they go. Maybe above the table, I think, if that makes sense.”
Superquill writes“Add dashboard search with live filtering. Keep the search field above the table.”
When to choose VoiceInk
- You want audio to stay on your device with code you can audit.
- You prefer paying once over a subscription.
- You're comfortable picking and tuning local models.
When to choose Superquill
- You think out loud and want the result to come out shorter and clearer than what you said, not just transcribed.
- You write a lot of prompts for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor or other AI tools and want a winding thought turned into a precise instruction.
- You want dictation that knows the names, projects and phrasing you use, so “Sue Vaughn” comes out as “Siobhan.”
Frequently asked questions
Is VoiceInk free?
VoiceInk is open source, so you can build it yourself for free. Prebuilt licenses are a one-time $25 for one Mac, $39 for two or $49 for three.
Is VoiceInk or Superquill more private?
VoiceInk transcribes entirely on your Mac and is open source. Superquill is designed with privacy at the center and will publish exactly how audio is processed and stored before launch.
Does VoiceInk work on Intel Macs?
No. VoiceInk requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.4 or later.