VoiceInk is free to build, but the ready-made app costs money. Its source code is published under GPL v3, so you can compile the Mac app yourself with Xcode and use it without paying. The download from tryvoiceink.com gives you a 7-day free trial, then a one-time licence: $25 for one Mac, $39 for two or $49 for three, as of 3 October 2026. There is no free tier of the ready-made app and no subscription.
Publisher note: SuprFlow publishes this guide and is one of the products discussed. Competitor details come from each company's own pages, checked on 3 October 2026. Prices and features change; confirm before you buy.
What are the free ways to use VoiceInk?
| Route | Cost | What you get | What it costs you instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day trial of the ready-made app | $0 for 7 days | The same app you would buy | It ends; then you buy a licence |
| Build from source | $0 | The app compiled on your own Mac | Xcode, Git, macOS 15 or later, and rebuilding for each update |
The trial. VoiceInk's licence documentation says that during onboarding you choose Start 7-day Trial. The pricing page has a Download Free Trial button.
Building it yourself. The GitHub README says the project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 and "As an open-source project, you can build VoiceInk yourself". VoiceInk's terms confirm "a dual-licensing model": GPL v3 for the source, and a commercial licence for the pre-compiled app from the website.
Where does the free build stop?
VoiceInk's build instructions list what you need and what you give up:
- Requirements: macOS 15.0 or later, Xcode with Command Line Tools, and Git.
- No automatic updates or iCloud dictionary sync: "Local builds do not include iCloud dictionary sync or automatic updates." You pull the new code and rebuild each time.
- Permissions may reset: ad-hoc signed builds may need macOS permissions again after rebuilding.
The README adds that the compiled version "includes additional benefits like automatic updates, priority support via Discord and email, and helps fund ongoing development." If you have never used Xcode, the build is real work; $25 is the price of skipping it.
One mismatch to know about: the pricing page says the app requires macOS 14.4 or later on Apple Silicon, while the README lists macOS 15.0 or later. If your Mac runs macOS 14, use the trial to check.
What happens after the trial, and is there a refund?
After seven days you need a licence to keep using the ready-made app. VoiceInk's pricing page lists a 14-day money-back guarantee, "no questions asked". The terms set conditions: request within 14 days of purchase, "You must provide a valid reason for the refund request", and uninstall the software from all devices. Both agree on 14 days; expect to explain why.
What do you pay next?
As of 3 October 2026, from the VoiceInk pricing page:
| Licence | Price | Macs |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $25 once | 1 |
| Personal | $39 once | Up to 2 |
| Extended | $49 once | Up to 3 |
Each lists lifetime updates and a 14-day money-back guarantee. A separate Team tab exists on the page. VoiceInk's iPhone app is licensed separately. VoiceInk pricing covers discounts and the iOS app.
What are the free alternatives?
- Apple Dictation. Built into macOS: choose Apple menu → System Settings → Keyboard, go to Dictation and turn it on, per Apple's Dictation guide (macOS 27; on older versions look for Dictation in Keyboard settings). Apple says there is no timeout on length; it stops after 30 seconds without speech. See How to use voice to text on a Mac.
- Free without building anything: Superwhisper Free, Spokenly's local models, and Handy, which is open source and ships ready-made. See Best free dictation app for Mac and Handy vs VoiceInk.
Where does SuprFlow fit?
SuprFlow, which publishes this page, is not free and its source is not public. It costs $125 for lifetime access on up to five Macs you own, with no subscription and a 7-day refund on a first purchase, and it has no trial. Speech recognition runs on the Mac with an on-device model, and Default formatting is local cleanup of punctuation, capitalization and numbers. For one to three Macs VoiceInk costs less, has a trial and lets you read the code, so it is the better choice for most people weighing the two on price. SuprFlow's licence only works out cheaper per Mac if you have four or five. SuprFlow vs VoiceInk compares them.
Questions people ask
Is VoiceInk open source and free?
The source is open under GPL v3 and free to build. The pre-compiled app from the website is sold under a commercial licence after a 7-day trial.
Can I use VoiceInk free forever without building it?
Not according to VoiceInk's own pages. The ready-made app offers a 7-day trial, then a one-time licence from $25.
Is the VoiceInk iPhone app free?
VoiceInk's iOS page describes it as free during beta with a one-time purchase after. Check the page for the current price.
Do I get updates if I build VoiceInk myself?
Not automatically. The build instructions say local builds have no automatic updates, so you rebuild for each new version.
Related guides
- VoiceInk pricing
- Is VoiceInk worth it?
- Is VoiceInk safe and open source?
- What is VoiceInk?
- VoiceInk alternatives