Superwhisper and Aqua Voice solve the same problem, talking instead of typing in any app, from opposite directions. Superwhisper can run speech models on your own computer or phone, so it works offline and can keep your audio local. Aqua Voice runs everything in the cloud on its own model, Avalon, and spends its effort on technical vocabulary, editing by voice and settings that follow you between devices.
A disclosure: we make LumeVoice, a third dictation app, and we haven't used either of these ourselves. Everything below comes from Superwhisper's and Aqua's websites, documentation, terms and app store listings, checked on October 20, 2026. Prices change, so check Superwhisper's plans and Aqua's pricing before you buy.
The quick verdict#
Choose Superwhisper if you:
- need audio to stay on your device, or dictate where there's no connection
- want a free plan you can keep using
- would rather pay once ($249.99 for a lifetime license)
- like to choose your own models, write your own AI modes or bring your own API keys
- want to record and summarize meetings on your Mac
Choose Aqua Voice if you:
- want cloud dictation that works without choosing models or building modes
- edit by voice: Edit Mode rewrites selected text on every plan
- are a student (70% off)
- want your dictionary and writing rules synced across Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android
- dictate code into Cursor or Windsurf, where Aqua tags the files you mention
- use an Android tablet, or an iPhone that can't run iOS 26
Superwhisper vs Aqua Voice at a glance#
| Superwhisper | Aqua Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Where speech is processed | Your choice: local models on your device, or cloud models | In the cloud, on Aqua's Avalon model |
| Works offline | Yes, with local models on Mac, Windows and iPhone | No offline mode on Mac or Windows |
| Platforms | Mac (macOS 14+), Windows 10 and 11, iPhone, Android 13+ (phones) | Mac (Apple silicon and Intel), Windows 10 and 11, iPhone (iOS 17+), Android 10+ (phones and tablets) |
| Free plan | Unlimited dictation with local Whisper models, up to two modes, no AI processing | 1,000 words |
| Paid plans | Pro $8.49/month, $84.99/year or $249.99 once | Pro $10/month or $96/year; Max $30/month or $288/year |
| Students | 40% off (also educators and non-profits) | 70% off Pro and Max |
| Refunds | Within 30 days of purchase on its website | Terms say fees are non-refundable |
| Languages | 100+, with translation into English | 49 |
| Your own rules | Custom modes with your choice of AI model; your own API keys | Custom Instructions (Pro) |
| Edit selected text by voice | Possible with a custom mode that uses selected text as context (Pro) | Edit Mode, built in, on every plan |
| Meetings | Meeting recording and summaries on Mac (Pro) | Not offered |
| Files | File transcription in the app (Pro) | Through its command-line tool and API, billed by usage |
| Settings sync | Per device by default; FileSync between Macs | Dictionary, replacements and instructions sync everywhere |
| Teams | Enterprise: seat-based licensing, single sign-on | Business: $19 per seat a month billed annually |
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As of October 2026, from superwhisper.com, aquavoice.com, both companies' documentation and their app store listings.
Local or cloud: how each one works#
Superwhisper treats every dictation as two steps. A voice model turns your audio into text, and an optional language model reshapes it for the mode you're in, such as a message, an email or a custom mode with your own instructions. Each step can run on your device or in the cloud, and you can mix them. Its local voice models include Whisper, plus Cohere Transcribe and Parakeet on Pro, and pairing a local voice model with a local language model keeps every stage on your machine (sensitive data guide). Local models run best on Apple silicon; Superwhisper suggests cloud models for Intel Macs. On Windows, some local models use your graphics card through Vulkan and fall back to the slower processor without it (Windows guide).
Aqua makes those choices for you. Your audio goes to Aqua's servers, Avalon transcribes it, and the text comes back punctuated, with filler words dropped and formatting matched to the app you're in. An optional Deep Context setting lets it use what's on your screen, and on Pro, Custom Instructions let you set rules such as UK spelling (Aqua FAQ). Aqua's Mac and Windows pages say plainly that there's no offline mode. Its FAQ adds that offline availability varies by platform and app version, and a September 2026 iPhone release note mentions an offline model download, but Aqua doesn't document an offline mode, so ask its support if that matters to you (changelog).
The tradeoff is the familiar one. Superwhisper gives you control and the option of keeping everything on your device, in exchange for choosing models and setting up modes. Aqua gives you one tuned setup that always needs a connection.
Price and free plans#
At list prices, Superwhisper costs less on every plan, and it's the only one of the two with a free plan you can keep and a lifetime license. Students are the exception, as you'll see below.
| Over 3 years | Superwhisper | Aqua Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Unlimited local Whisper dictation | 1,000 words to try |
| Pro, paid monthly | $305.64 | $360 |
| Pro, paid yearly | $254.97 | $288 |
| Pay once | $249.99 | Not offered |
| Student rate, paid yearly | $152.98 (40% off) | $86.40 (70% off) |
| Top individual plan, paid yearly | $254.97 (Pro has every feature) | $864 (Max) |
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Prices as of October 2026; totals assume they don't change.
The free plans differ in kind. Superwhisper's is permanent: unlimited dictation with local Whisper models, custom vocabulary and text replacements, and up to two modes without AI processing. New users also get a 3,000-word taste of Pro before it falls back to the free plan. Aqua's free plan is 1,000 words with its Avalon model, which Aqua's Mac page puts at about seven minutes of talking, and then you upgrade (Aqua for Mac).
Superwhisper's paid plans all include the same features, so you're only choosing how to pay. Aqua splits its extras: Realtime Mode, which shows your words as you speak, and the "send it" command come with Max, not Pro.
Students do better at Aqua: 70% off Pro and Max with a school email, which makes Pro $2.40 a month on annual billing. Superwhisper gives 40% off to verified students, educators and non-profits; you request it by email before buying on its website, and it applies to the lifetime license too. Refunds favor Superwhisper, which honors them within 30 days of purchase on its website, while Aqua's terms say fees are non-refundable (Aqua terms). On iPhone, the US App Store lists Superwhisper's in-app Pro plans at its web prices, while Aqua's annual Pro costs $119.00 in the app against $96 on the web (Aqua's App Store listing).
More detail is in our Aqua Voice pricing guide and Superwhisper pricing guide.
Platforms#
Mac. Superwhisper needs macOS 14 or later. Aqua offers one download for Apple silicon and Intel Macs, with Fn as its default key; it doesn't publish a minimum macOS version.
Windows. Both run on Windows 10 and 11. Superwhisper supports x64 and ARM64 PCs, though local language models need Vulkan, which Windows on Arm laptops don't support yet. Aqua's default key on Windows is Right Alt, and it can also start from a mouse button.
iPhone. Aqua's keyboard needs iOS 17 or later and adds an Action Button shortcut (Aqua for iPhone). Superwhisper's App Store listing currently requires iOS 26 or later, although its website still says iOS 18; its offline models work best on iPhone 15 and newer (Superwhisper for iOS).
Android. Both float a button over your apps and use Android's accessibility features to insert text. Aqua's app arrived on October 6, 2026, needs Android 10 or later and runs on phones and tablets (Aqua for Android). Superwhisper's needs Android 13 or later and supports phones only (Superwhisper on Android).
Store ratings, as of October 20, 2026: on the US App Store, Superwhisper has 4.4 stars from 844 ratings and Aqua 4.4 from 98. On Google Play, Aqua has 4.4 from 53 reviews and Superwhisper 3.5 from 37.
Neither offers a Linux dictation app, and one plan covers all your devices with either.
Features beyond dictation#
Shaping the text. Superwhisper's modes are its signature: built-in ones such as Message, Mail and Note, plus custom modes where you write the instructions and pick the language model, from GPT and Claude to local models. Pro adds context awareness, which feeds the app you're in, your selected text and your clipboard into the mode (Superwhisper docs). Aqua's equivalent is simpler: Custom Instructions on Pro, written as rules with examples.
Editing by voice. Aqua has a dedicated feature for it. Highlight text in any desktop app, hold your Aqua key and describe the edit, and Edit Mode swaps in the new version, on every plan (Edit Mode guide). With Superwhisper you can build something similar from a custom mode that uses selected text as context, but it takes setup.
Live text. Superwhisper Pro includes realtime transcription with supported voice models. Aqua's Realtime Mode, with its "send it" command that submits a message for you, requires Max.
Meetings and files. Superwhisper Pro records and summarizes meetings on the Mac without a bot in the call, and transcribes audio and video files in the app. Aqua has no meeting recorder, and handles files through its command-line tool and API, billed by usage.
Developer tools. Both have a command-line tool and an MCP server. Superwhisper's CLI runs on macOS and searches your history and controls the app. Aqua's runs on macOS, Windows and Linux and manages your dictionary, replacements and instructions, and Aqua also tags the files you mention in Cursor, Windsurf and some other AI code editors (Aqua CLI).
Languages. Superwhisper supports more than 100 and can translate any of them into English. Aqua lists 49, with Auto-Detect (Aqua's language list).
Privacy and compliance#
Superwhisper can keep everything on your device: with local models, no audio or text leaves it. When you use its cloud models, Superwhisper says its provider agreements include zero-data-retention terms, your data isn't used for training, and your transcription history stays on your device. Healthcare customers can sign a BAA for its cloud models through a self-serve form; a fully local setup needs none (compliance). It lists a SOC 2 Type II report in its Trust Center.
Aqua Voice always uses the cloud. With Privacy Mode off, its privacy policy says it may store transcripts to improve the product; with it on, transcripts aren't stored, though session metadata may be (privacy policy). Its terms say it won't train AI models on your content unless you agree. On desktop, History keeps recent audio on your computer for three days. Aqua has a SOC 2 Type II report and ISO 27001 certification, describes itself as GDPR and HIPAA compliant, and asks healthcare teams to contact support about a BAA before dictating patient information. Business adds zero data retention.
If your rule is that audio never leaves the device, Superwhisper is the only one of the two that can meet it. For more on what to check, see our guide to private dictation for legal and medical work.
Where LumeVoice fits#
LumeVoice is our product, so read this as the maker's view. It sits much closer to Aqua than to Superwhisper: it's cloud-based, needs an internet connection, and cleans up your words without any setup, removing filler words and applying self-corrections. It runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.
Choose it over Aqua if you want 100 languages, a Lifetime license ($249; see LumeVoice pricing) or a bigger free start (3,000 free words, no card required); choose Aqua if you rely on Edit Mode, Realtime Mode or a team plan. And if your audio must stay on your device, choose Superwhisper. See LumeVoice vs Aqua Voice and LumeVoice vs Superwhisper.
Try LumeVoice on Your Own Words
Hold a key, talk, and LumeVoice types the finished text where your cursor is, in any app on Mac, Windows, iPhone or Android. Your audio isn't stored after processing, your history stays on your device, and nothing you say is used to train a model.
The bottom line#
Superwhisper is the better choice when control matters: local models that work offline, a free plan with no word cap, a lifetime license, 100-plus languages and modes you can shape as far as you like. Aqua Voice is the better choice when you'd rather not configure anything: one cloud model that Aqua tunes for technical words, editing by voice on every plan, settings that sync everywhere and the deeper student discount. Both have free options, so try each on a week of your real writing before you pay.
