Choose Superwhisper if you want speech recognised on your Mac when you need it, unlimited free dictation with local models, or a one-time Lifetime licence. Choose Aqua Voice if cloud processing is acceptable and you want a low monthly price, a hold-Fn workflow with nothing to configure, its own Avalon speech model, and a published SOC 2 Type II report and ISO 27001 certificate. The two are built differently: Superwhisper lets you choose local or cloud for each mode, while Aqua says "Audio is processed in the cloud."
Publisher note: SuprFlow publishes this guide and is one of the products discussed. Competitor details come from each company's own pages, checked on 1 October 2026. Prices and features change; confirm before you buy.
We have not run a controlled benchmark of either product. Aqua publishes its own speed figures; we have not checked them and do not repeat them here.
Who should pick which?
- You need dictation offline, or audio must stay on the device: Superwhisper with a local voice model.
- You want to keep using a free tier indefinitely: Superwhisper Free. Aqua's free tier is a 1,000-word allowance for trying the app.
- You want the cheapest paid cloud dictation: Aqua Pro at $8 a month billed annually.
- You have an Intel Mac: Aqua lists Intel and Apple Silicon. Superwhisper's site says Intel Macs work best with its cloud models.
- You use Android: Superwhisper. Aqua lists Android on a waitlist.
How do Superwhisper and Aqua Voice compare?
As of 1 October 2026. Superwhisper details are from its plans page, introduction, sensitive-data guide and compliance page. Aqua details are from its pricing page, product summary, FAQ and privacy policy.
| Superwhisper | Aqua Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Where speech is processed | Your choice per mode: local voice model on the device, or a cloud voice model | "Audio is processed in the cloud." Instant mode uses Aqua's Avalon models; Realtime mode "streams audio to a third-party realtime speech provider" |
| Works without internet | Yes, with local voice models | "Cloud dictation needs an internet connection. Offline availability varies by platform, app version, and mode" |
| Platforms | macOS 14 or later, Windows, iOS, Android | macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows 10 and 11, iOS 17 or later; Android waitlist |
| Free tier | Unlimited dictation with local Whisper models, two modes without AI processing; 3,000 words of Pro features for new users | 1,000 free words with the Avalon model |
| Paid plans | Pro: $8.49 a month, $84.99 a year, or $249.99 once | Pro: $10 a month or $8 billed annually. Max: $30 or $24. Business: $24 a seat or $19 billed annually, minimum 2 seats |
| What paid adds | Cloud voice models, AI modes, file transcription, system audio recording, your own API keys | Pro: unlimited words, Custom Instructions, expanded dictionary. Max: Realtime Mode, "Send it" command |
| How you dictate on Mac | Option-Space by default, press to start and stop | Hold Fn, talk, release |
| Default storage | History kept on your device | Privacy Mode is off by default; with it off, transcripts "may be stored on our servers to improve the product" |
| Training | Cloud providers under zero-data-retention terms; content "not used to train any AI models" | Transcripts kept with Privacy Mode off are used to improve the product |
| Security documents | SOC 2 report on request; DPA and BAA to sign | SOC 2 Type II and ISO/IEC 27001:2022; GDPR and HIPAA programs, with BAA terms through support |
| Refund | 30 days from first purchase on superwhisper.com | Terms say fees paid are non-refundable except as the terms specify |
What should you change before dictating sensitive work?
In Aqua, turn on Privacy Mode. Aqua's product summary says "With Privacy Mode off (the default), transcripts may be stored on our servers to improve the product. Turn Privacy Mode on and they are not stored." Deep Context, which reads your screen, is off until you enable it. Team plans can enforce Privacy Mode, and Business adds Zero Data Retention. Is Aqua Voice safe? covers what its audit posts do and do not say.
In Superwhisper, check every mode. Its sensitive-data guide says a local voice model plus a local language model, or no AI processing, keeps audio and text on the device, while a cloud model sends them out. Is Superwhisper safe? lists the settings.
What does each cost over three years?
List prices as of 1 October 2026, one person, USD, before tax, assuming prices do not change.
| Option | Year 1 | After 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Superwhisper Free | $0 | $0 |
| Superwhisper Pro, annual | $84.99 | $254.97 |
| Superwhisper Pro, Lifetime | $249.99 | $249.99 |
| Aqua Pro, annual | $96 | $288 |
| Aqua Pro, month-to-month | $120 | $360 |
| Aqua Max, annual | $288 | $864 |
On paid plans the two are close: Superwhisper Pro annual is slightly cheaper than Aqua Pro annual each year, and Lifetime ends up cheapest in the third year. The bigger price difference is the free tier. Aqua Voice pricing and Superwhisper pricing list student discounts and refund terms.
Choose Superwhisper if…
- You need offline dictation or local-only processing.
- You want to stay on a free tier.
- You want to pay once.
- You want file transcription, meeting recording or custom AI modes.
- You use Android.
Choose Aqua Voice if…
- Cloud processing is fine for your material, and you will turn on Privacy Mode.
- You want hold-Fn dictation with little configuration.
- You want Realtime Mode or the "Send it" command (Max).
- Your reviewer wants a SOC 2 Type II report and an ISO 27001 certificate.
- You use an Intel Mac.
How do you test both in 15 minutes?
Aqua's 1,000 free words are enough for this test. Use made-up content.
- Install both (4 minutes). Grant the permissions each asks for. Turn on Privacy Mode in Aqua. In Superwhisper, note the selected voice model and use an AI-formatted mode while you have Pro words.
- Dictate in your mail app (3 minutes). "Hi Annika, the refund is 1,385 dollars, not 1,835. Ticket 5520 closes Wednesday the 11th, no, Thursday the 12th. Thanks, Kwame."
- Check both names, both amounts, the ticket number and the corrected date.
- Dictate into your hardest field (3 minutes): a browser form, a chat app or a code editor.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and repeat (2 minutes). Note what each does.
- Try two sentences of your jargon (3 minutes), then add misses to each dictionary and retry.
Count corrections. The app that needed fewer in your own apps is the right one.
A third option
If you want local speech on a Mac with nothing to configure, SuprFlow works like Aqua's hold-Fn flow but recognises speech on the Mac: hold Fn, speak, release, and the text is pasted at the cursor, with local cleanup of punctuation, capitalization and numbers. It costs $125 once for up to five Macs you own and needs Apple Silicon and macOS 14 or later. It has no free tier, no Intel, Windows or phone support, no Realtime mode, and no SOC 2 report or ISO certificate. If you need those, or free local dictation, the apps above fit better. SuprFlow vs Aqua Voice and SuprFlow vs Superwhisper compare them.
Questions people ask
Is Superwhisper or Aqua Voice cheaper?
Superwhisper Free costs nothing indefinitely; Aqua's free tier is 1,000 words. On paid annual plans, Superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year and Aqua Pro is $96 a year, as of 1 October 2026.
Does Aqua Voice work offline like Superwhisper?
Aqua's FAQ says cloud dictation needs an internet connection and that offline availability varies by platform, app version and mode. Superwhisper documents offline dictation with local voice models.
Does Aqua Voice store my dictation?
Only if Privacy Mode is off, which is the default. Aqua says transcripts may then be stored to improve the product. Turn Privacy Mode on and Aqua says they are not stored.
Related guides
- Superwhisper pricing
- Is Superwhisper safe and local?
- Aqua Voice pricing
- Is Aqua Voice safe?
- Wispr Flow vs Aqua Voice
- Aqua Voice alternatives
Sources
- Superwhisper Docs — Plans and Pricing
- Superwhisper Docs — Introduction
- Superwhisper Docs — Quickstart
- Superwhisper Docs — Sensitive Data Best Practices
- Superwhisper Docs — Compliance and Trust
- Superwhisper — Refund Policy
- Superwhisper — official site
- Aqua Voice — Pricing
- Aqua Voice — llms.txt product summary
- Aqua Voice — FAQs
- Aqua Voice — Privacy Policy
- Aqua Voice — Terms of Service