We built a voice-to-text app that runs entirely on your device. Here's how it stacks up against the alternatives - honestly.
If a competitor is genuinely better at something, we say so.
Apple Dictation and Windows Voice Typing are free - but they're limited.
| Feature | Built-in Dictation | Push to Transcribe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $29.99 one-time |
| Processing | Cloud (audio sent to Apple/Microsoft) | 100% on-device. Zero bytes sent. |
| Recording control | Tap to start, tap to stop | Hold-to-record (walkie-talkie control) |
| Filler word removal | No | 15 filler words stripped automatically |
| Custom vocabulary | No | 2,800 industry terms across 13 packs |
| Transcription history | No | Full history with search and audio playback |
| Recording modes | 1 (system dictation) | 5 (hotkey, middle-click, floating pill, menu bar, notch) |
| Works offline | Partial (Apple Silicon only) | Yes, always. After one-time model download. |
| Word limit | Stops after ~30 seconds | No limit. Record as long as you need. |
| Voice commands | Limited | 19 commands (new line, bullet point, quotes, etc.) |
| Stats and analytics | None | Words dictated, time saved, speed comparison |
| Account required | Apple/Microsoft account | No account. No signup. No login. |
Built-in dictation is free and good enough for short texts. Push to Transcribe is for people who dictate regularly and need accuracy, privacy, and control.
Most voice-to-text apps charge monthly. We don't.
| Feature | Subscription tools | Push to Transcribe |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $8-15/month, forever | $29.99 once. Done. |
| Audio processing | Cloud (your voice hits their servers) | 100% local. Nothing leaves your machine. |
| Account required | Yes (email, password, verification) | No. Download and start. |
| Free tier limits | Word caps (2,000/week typical) | 14-day full trial. No limits. |
| AI cleanup | Cloud AI polishes grammar and tone | Local Whisper - accurate transcription, no AI rewriting |
| Platform support | Some offer Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Mac and Windows (iOS in development) |
| Industry dictionaries | Limited or none | 2,800 terms across 13 professional packs |
| HIPAA/privacy compliance | Policy-based ("we promise not to look") | Architecture-based (audio never leaves device) |
| Works offline | No (cloud-dependent) | Yes, fully offline after model download |
| Recording modes | 1-2 (hotkey or always-on) | 5 modes with full customization |
Where they win: Cloud AI cleanup can polish your grammar and adjust tone (formal, casual, etc.). Push to Transcribe transcribes what you say accurately but doesn't rewrite it. If you want AI writing assistance, a subscription tool may suit you better.
Where we win: Privacy, price, offline capability, and professional dictionaries. If you dictate confidential content (legal, medical, financial), cloud processing is a compliance risk we eliminate entirely.
| Tool | Year 1 | Year 3 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push to Transcribe* | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Wispr Flow ($12/mo) | $1,440 | $4,320 | $7,200 |
| Willow ($12/mo) | $1,440 | $4,320 | $7,200 |
| SuperWhisper ($8/mo) | $960 | $2,880 | $4,800 |
*10 seats at team pricing ($24.99/seat). Your purchase supports development, not servers.
No credit card. No account. No commitment.