macOS Dictation is a great place to start. It's free, it's already on your Mac, it supports many languages, and on Apple silicon Macs it can run on the device. Chirp is a separate app that always transcribes on your Mac, keeps a searchable history of what you've dictated, and also runs on Windows. It's English only.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Chirp | macOS Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 28 free transcriptions, then $9.99/year for unlimited use on up to 5 devices | Free, built into macOS |
| Platforms | macOS 13+, Windows 10/11 | Apple devices |
| Where transcription runs | Always on your Mac | On-device on Apple silicon for supported languages; otherwise Apple's servers |
| Languages | English only | Many languages |
| Inserting text | Pastes into the active app | Types into the active text field |
| Start and stop | Press Fn or Option+M, press again to stop; up to 5 minutes | Keyboard shortcut; stops after 30 seconds of silence |
| History | Searchable local history, CSV export | None |
| Setup | Install and grant permissions | Turn on in System Settings > Keyboard |
What macOS Dictation Does Well
- It's free and built in. Nothing to install.
- Many languages. Apple supports dozens of them.
- On-device on Apple silicon. For supported languages, speech can be processed on your Mac.
- No time limit while you talk. It stops by itself after 30 seconds of silence.
What Chirp Does Differently
When macOS Dictation doesn't run on the device, your audio goes to Apple's servers. Apple says it isn't stored unless you've turned on Improve Siri & Dictation. You can check which applies to you in System Settings > Keyboard. Chirp has no server mode at all.
Chirp transcribes on your computer with whisper.cpp and deletes the recording as soon as the text is ready. The text is kept in a local history on your computer. There is no account and no analytics. Chirp goes online only to check for updates when it launches and, once you have a license, to check it about once a day (it keeps working for up to 7 days offline between checks).
Chirp also pastes its text instead of typing into a text field, so it works anywhere you can paste, including apps like terminals where built-in dictation can be inconsistent. Press Fn or Option+M, speak, and press it again. Every dictation is saved to a local history you can search and export to CSV.
Who Each Is For
macOS Dictation is excellent if you want free, built-in dictation in many languages, and you're happy with how your Mac processes it.
If you want dictation that never leaves your computer, with a searchable history and the same tool on a Windows PC, try Chirp. It includes 28 free transcriptions, then a $9.99/year license (up to 5 devices) unlocks unlimited use.
FAQ
Does macOS Dictation send audio to Apple's servers?
It depends. On Apple silicon Macs, dictation can run on the device for supported languages. Otherwise, audio is sent to Apple's servers for processing. Apple says it isn't stored unless you turn on Improve Siri & Dictation. System Settings > Keyboard shows whether dictation is processed on your Mac. Chirp always transcribes on your Mac.
Does macOS Dictation work in every app?
It works in most standard text fields, but it can be inconsistent in some apps, such as terminals. Chirp pastes its text, so it works anywhere you can paste.
Does Chirp keep a history of what I dictate?
Yes. Chirp saves each transcription's text in a local database on your Mac that you can search and export to CSV. The audio is deleted right after transcription. macOS Dictation doesn't keep a history.
Why would I use Chirp when macOS Dictation is free?
If macOS Dictation works well for you, you may not need Chirp. People choose Chirp for dictation that's always on-device, a searchable local history, paste-anywhere text and the same tool on Windows. Chirp includes 28 free transcriptions, then a $9.99/year license (up to 5 devices) unlocks unlimited use. It's English only.
For Windows' built-in options and other alternatives, see our private, offline dictation guide.
Last updated: September 2026. Features may change with macOS updates. Check Apple's documentation for the latest dictation capabilities.