Superwhisper is one of the best-known voice-to-text apps in the Mac indie scene. It runs Whisper locally on your machine, supports custom modes that route transcripts through your own AI API keys, and offers a strong free tier. Voice Keyboard Pro takes a different approach: cloud Whisper via Groq for accuracy and speed, with an Apple Speech offline fallback.
This page compares them honestly so you can pick the one that fits your priorities.
Overview
Superwhisper is a macOS, Windows, and iOS app that activates with ⌥ + space and inserts transcribed text into the active app. Its calling card is offline transcription using local Whisper models (the vendor notes that offline models run best on Apple Silicon). Paid tiers add larger models, more custom "modes," AI post-processing via your own API keys (GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Llama, and others), meeting recording, and file transcription.
Voice Keyboard Pro is a native macOS menu bar app paired with a system-wide iOS keyboard. Hold a hotkey, speak, release — text appears at the cursor. Transcription is handled by Groq-hosted Whisper in the cloud (very fast) with an Apple Speech on-device fallback for offline use. Smart Rewrite handles AI cleanup, and Voice Profile enrollment tunes recognition to your voice.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Voice Keyboard Pro | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS + iOS keyboard (Apple Watch upcoming) | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Pricing | Free tier; Pro $4.99/mo or $34.99/yr | Free tier; Pro from $8/mo; yearly and lifetime options — see superwhisper.com |
| Activation | Hold-to-speak hotkey | ⌥ + space (configurable) |
| Transcription engine | Groq Whisper (cloud) + Apple Speech (offline) | Local Whisper models (offline) + optional cloud LLMs via your API keys |
| Offline mode | Yes (Apple Speech) | Yes (local Whisper; best on Apple Silicon) |
| AI cleanup | Smart Rewrite (on-demand) | "Super Mode" + user-supplied AI keys (GPT-5, Claude, etc.) |
| Custom vocabulary | Yes | Yes |
| Custom modes / prompts | Profession presets | Voice / Message / Email plus custom modes |
| File transcription | Not a focus (live dictation) | Yes (audio/video files) |
| iOS keyboard | Yes (third-party keyboard) | iOS app (not a keyboard) |
| Languages | 50+ via Whisper | 100+ |
Vendor specs verified from superwhisper.com in May 2026. Pricing changes — confirm the current numbers on the vendor's pricing page before buying.
Pros and Cons
Superwhisper Strengths
- Local Whisper means audio never has to leave your Mac
- Bring-your-own AI key gives flexible cleanup (GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
- Custom "modes" let you template prompts per context
- Lifetime purchase option if you prefer non-subscription pricing
Superwhisper Tradeoffs
- Local models can be slower than cloud Whisper, especially on older hardware
- Offline models work best on Apple Silicon per the vendor's own FAQ
- Bring-your-own-key model means an extra API bill for AI cleanup
- iOS app is not a system-wide keyboard
Voice Keyboard Pro Strengths
- Groq Whisper in the cloud is extremely fast (sub-second on short clips)
- Built-in Smart Rewrite — no separate AI key required
- Native iOS keyboard works inside every iOS app
- Voice Profile enrollment tunes recognition to your voice
- Subscription is $4.99/mo or $34.99/yr — predictable, low entry price
Voice Keyboard Pro Tradeoffs
- Cloud mode requires internet and routes audio through Groq
- No Windows version
- Not designed for batch file transcription
- No lifetime-purchase tier
Pricing Comparison
Voice Keyboard Pro is straightforward: free tier with daily limits, Pro at $4.99/month or $34.99/year.
Superwhisper offers a free tier (small local models, limited custom modes) and Pro plans starting at $8/month, with yearly and lifetime options. Lifetime pricing has been repriced over time, so check superwhisper.com directly for current numbers.
If you prefer a low monthly subscription, Voice Keyboard Pro is simpler. If you want a one-time purchase and you are comfortable paying for AI cleanup separately, Superwhisper's lifetime tier is appealing.
Privacy
Superwhisper's flagship privacy story is local Whisper — audio is transcribed entirely on your Mac for the offline modes. AI cleanup uses your own API keys, which means data hits the AI provider you choose (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) only if you opt in.
Voice Keyboard Pro processes cloud-mode audio through the Groq Whisper API and does not store audio on its servers. The offline mode uses Apple's on-device Speech framework. API keys are stored in the macOS Keychain.
If your top priority is "no audio leaves my Mac, ever," Superwhisper is the more conservative pick. If you want server-grade transcription quality and accept that the audio is processed by Groq in real time, Voice Keyboard Pro is built for that.
Who Should Choose Superwhisper
Pick Superwhisper if you want fully offline transcription on Apple Silicon, you already use your own AI provider keys, you want flexible custom modes with editable prompts, or you prefer a lifetime purchase to a subscription. It is a genuinely well-built app and a fair choice for privacy-first users.
Who Should Choose Voice Keyboard Pro
Pick Voice Keyboard Pro if you want the fastest possible cloud Whisper transcription, you want a built-in iOS keyboard that works in every iOS app, you do not want to manage your own AI API keys, or you prefer a low monthly subscription. The combination of Mac menu bar app + iOS keyboard makes it a tight fit for Apple-ecosystem users who write across devices.
If you dictate thousands of words daily and want the lowest-friction path on Mac and iPhone, Voice Keyboard Pro is the more turnkey option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Voice Keyboard Pro a Superwhisper alternative?
Yes. Both let you press a hotkey, speak, and have transcribed text inserted into any Mac app. Superwhisper emphasizes local Whisper models on-device. Voice Keyboard Pro uses cloud Whisper (Groq) for higher accuracy plus an Apple Speech offline fallback, and adds a system-wide iOS keyboard.
How does Voice Keyboard Pro pricing compare to Superwhisper?
Voice Keyboard Pro is $4.99/month or $34.99/year. Superwhisper has a free tier and Pro plans starting at $8/month, with yearly and lifetime options — check superwhisper.com for current numbers.
Does Voice Keyboard Pro run Whisper locally like Superwhisper?
No. Voice Keyboard Pro uses Groq-hosted Whisper in the cloud and Apple's on-device Speech framework for offline mode. Superwhisper can run local Whisper models entirely on-device, which is its main differentiator.
Which has better iPhone support?
Voice Keyboard Pro ships a system-wide third-party iOS keyboard that shows up inside any iOS app. Superwhisper offers an iOS app as well. If a keyboard-style integration matters, Voice Keyboard Pro is purpose-built for that pattern.
Try Voice Keyboard Pro Free
Native Mac menu bar app + iOS keyboard. Free tier with no credit card required.
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