Dikto vs MacWhisper
Two Mac apps that turn speech into text, built differently. Here are the published facts, with sources.
Pricing and how it works
| Criterion | Dikto | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Cloud: Mistral AI by default (stays in Europe), optional OpenAI; backend on Scaleway | Local (optional cloud with your own keys) |
| Free | Yes: first 7 days 60 min + 30 AI actions/day, then 15 min + 10 AI actions/week | Free version |
| Paid | Pro €9/month or €89/year (excl. tax) | Pro €65 one-time (volume licences from €44/licence) |
| Main use | Dictation into any app, AI rewriting and translation | File transcription first, plus system-wide dictation |
| macOS | macOS 13 (Ventura) or later | macOS 14+ |
| iPhone and iPad | No (iOS in preparation) | Yes, via the “Whisper Transcription” App Store app (iOS and iPadOS 18+); local models are free |
Prices and availability as published, checked on 26 October 2026. Sources: dikto.ai · MacWhisper (Gumroad) · Whisper Transcription (App Store, iPhone and iPad) · MacWhisper vs Whisper Transcription
Who should pick which?
Pick MacWhisper if…
- you want processing to run locally on your Mac;
- you mostly transcribe audio or video files;
- you prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription;
- you also want to transcribe on iPhone or iPad (separate app).
Pick Dikto if…
- you mostly dictate into your apps (Mail, Slack, Notion, your IDE);
- you want text cleaned up, rewritten or translated by AI;
- you speak one language and write in another (30+ languages);
- you want to start on a permanent free plan.
Default: Mistral AI, stays in Europe. Dikto is built in France, on Mistral AI (EU) with a backend on Scaleway. Optional: OpenAI, selected in the app’s “AI provider” setting after a consent prompt (contract with OpenAI Ireland Ltd); audio and text are then sent to OpenAI and may be processed outside the EU, including in the US. Some processing or sub-processors may sit outside the EU. Dikto does not intentionally store raw audio or full transcripts.