VoiceInk is sold as a one-time purchase, not a subscription. As of 1 October 2026, a VoiceInk licence costs $25 for one Mac, $39 for two Macs or $49 for three, each with lifetime updates and a 14-day refund. You can try it free for 7 days. Because the source code is published under GPL v3, you can also build the Mac app yourself and use it without paying; the paid, ready-made app adds automatic updates and support.
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.
What does each VoiceInk licence cost?
Prices in USD as of 1 October 2026, from the VoiceInk pricing page.
| Licence | Price | Devices | What VoiceInk lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $25 once | 1 macOS device | One-time purchase, lifetime access; lifetime of updates; 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Personal | $39 once | Up to 2 macOS devices | Same terms; marked "Most picked" |
| Extended | $49 once | Up to 3 macOS devices | Same terms |
| Team | Check the current price on the pricing page | Shown under the Team tab | Not readable without the page's toggle |
| Build from source | $0 | Your own Macs | GPL v3 source; no automatic updates |
The site's FAQ says that after purchase "You receive a license key for lifetime access to all current features and future updates. No subscriptions, no recurring fees." VoiceInk's terms describe the commercial licence as personal and non-transferable, for the number of devices in your plan.
The pricing page says VoiceInk "Works only on Apple Silicon Macs" and "Requires macOS 14.4 or later". The project's GitHub README lists macOS 15.0 or later. The two disagree, so if your Mac runs macOS 14, use the free trial to confirm before you buy.
Can you use VoiceInk free?
There are two free routes, and they are different things.
The 7-day trial. The pricing page has a "Download Free Trial" button, and VoiceInk's licence documentation says that during onboarding you choose "Start 7-day Trial". This is the same ready-made app you would pay for.
Building from the open-source repository. The README says the project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 and that "As an open-source project, you can build VoiceInk yourself". The terms confirm the dual model: under GPL v3 you may "Compile and run the application from source", while the pre-compiled app from the website is offered under a commercial licence.
What the free build costs you in practice, from VoiceInk's own build instructions:
- You need macOS 15.0 or later, Xcode with Command Line Tools, and Git.
- "Local builds do not include iCloud dictionary sync or automatic updates", so you rebuild to get each new version.
- Builds signed ad hoc "may require macOS permissions again after rebuilding".
The README puts the trade plainly: the compiled version "includes additional benefits like automatic updates, priority support via Discord and email, and helps fund ongoing development." If you are comfortable with Xcode, the source build is a legitimate way to pay nothing. If you are not, $25 buys you out of that work.
What are the refund terms?
VoiceInk's pages describe the refund in two ways. The pricing page says "14-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked". The terms of service say a refund must be requested within 14 days of purchase, that "You must provide a valid reason", and that the software must be uninstalled from all devices; approved refunds take 5 to 7 business days. Both agree on 14 days. Expect to be asked why, and use the 7-day trial first so that you are less likely to need a refund at all.
Is there a VoiceInk discount code?
We do not list or pass on discount codes. VoiceInk documents two offers itself:
- Students: the site's FAQ says "Yes. Contact me with your student ID for details."
- Creator Bonus: the "50% Off" link on the site leads to the Creator Bonus page. You post publicly about VoiceInk and send proof: 1,000 or more total views earns 30% back (or a 30% discount if you have not bought yet), 2,000 or more earns half your purchase back, and 10,000 or more can earn a full refund.
Does the licence cover the iPhone app?
No. VoiceInk's site says it is "Now available on iOS", and its iOS page describes an iPhone and iPad companion app that is "Free during beta. One-time purchase after." VoiceInk's documentation says macOS and iOS licences are separate and that a multi-device Mac licence "covers Macs, not iPhones". Check the iOS page for the current price once the beta ends.
How much does VoiceInk cost over one, two and three years?
List prices as of 1 October 2026, USD, one person, before tax.
| Option | How you pay | Year 1 | After 2 years | After 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VoiceInk, built from source | Free | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| VoiceInk Solo, 1 Mac | $25 once | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| VoiceInk Extended, 3 Macs | $49 once | $49 | $49 | $49 |
| SuprFlow, up to 5 Macs | $125 once | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| Superwhisper Pro, annual | $84.99 a year | $84.99 | $169.98 | $254.97 |
How to read it honestly:
- VoiceInk is cheaper than SuprFlow at every point. Both are paid once, so there is no break-even month. For one, two or three Macs, VoiceInk costs $25 to $49 against $125.
- The only arithmetic in SuprFlow's favour is device count. SuprFlow's personal licence covers up to five Macs you own; VoiceInk's largest listed personal licence covers three. Buying VoiceInk twice to reach five Macs would still cost less than $125.
- VoiceInk has a trial and public source code. SuprFlow has neither. SuprFlow has no free tier and no trial, only a 7-day refund on a first purchase, and its source is not public.
- What is similar: both are Mac apps for Apple Silicon that recognise speech on the Mac. SuprFlow lists macOS 14 or later and applies local cleanup of punctuation, capitalization and numbers.
- Against a subscription, either one-time licence is ahead within the first year or two, as the Superwhisper row shows.
We have not run a controlled benchmark of either app. The honest reason to choose SuprFlow over VoiceInk is preference after testing, not price. SuprFlow vs VoiceInk sets out the differences.
Who should pay for VoiceInk, and who should not?
Pay if the 7-day trial works well on your Mac and you want updates to arrive on their own. At $25 it is among the cheapest paid dictation apps we have checked.
Build it yourself if you already use Xcode, want to read what you run, and do not mind rebuilding for updates.
Do not pay if you have an Intel Mac, since the site says Apple Silicon only, or if you need Windows. VoiceInk alternatives covers other options.
Questions people ask
Is VoiceInk free?
The ready-made app is free for a 7-day trial, then $25 once for one Mac. The source code is free under GPL v3, and VoiceInk's README says you can build the app yourself.
Is VoiceInk a subscription?
No. VoiceInk's site says "No subscriptions, no recurring fees. Pay once and use forever."
Can I move a VoiceInk licence to a new Mac?
VoiceInk's licence documentation says you can release a Mac's activation from the app or manage devices through the Polar customer portal, then activate on another Mac within your device allowance. Activation needs a network connection.
What licence is the VoiceInk source code under?
GNU General Public License v3.0, according to the repository's README and LICENSE file. The README also says the project is not accepting pull requests at this time.
Related guides
- VoiceInk alternatives
- SuprFlow vs VoiceInk
- Mac dictation apps you can buy once
- Open-source Wispr Flow alternatives
- Wispr Flow pricing
Sources
- VoiceInk — Pricing
- VoiceInk — official site and FAQ
- VoiceInk — Terms of Service
- VoiceInk Docs — License Key Management
- VoiceInk Docs — iOS and macOS Licenses Are Separate
- VoiceInk — iOS
- VoiceInk — Creator Bonus
- VoiceInk — GitHub repository README and LICENSE
- VoiceInk — BUILDING.md
- Superwhisper Docs — Plans & Pricing
- SuprFlow — official site