Comparison
Diktat vs. MacWhisper
MacWhisper turns audio files into text on the Mac: recordings, interviews, podcasts, subtitles. Whole batches at once. Recognition runs on the device. You pay once.
Diktat also recognizes speech on the device. You pay once here too. Diktat is built for a different moment: you want to say something now and paste the text right away. Two tools, two jobs. This comparison shows which tool fits your job.
At a glance.
| Diktat | MacWhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | One-time purchase |
| Price | €19.99 at launch, later €39.99. One-time purchase for Mac, three Macs included. iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch as a separate app: from €9.99, later €19.99. | €64 one-time, with lifetime updates per the vendor (as of 5 August 2026; amount may vary by region) |
| Free to use | 5 dictations a day, permanently, with all recognitions | Free tier with smaller models (their description) |
| Where recognition runs | On the device | On the device |
| Account | No account | Not stated on the vendor's site (as of 5 August 2026) |
| Platforms | Mac (Apple Silicon, macOS 15 or newer). The app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch is a separate purchase. | Mac |
| Apple Watch | Included in the iPhone app. The watch records. The iPhone transcribes. Universal Clipboard carries the text to the Mac. That takes a moment. | Not stated on the vendor's site (as of 5 August 2026) |
| What happens after recognition | No language model runs over your text. No word changes unless you ask. | Post-processing and formats are part of the product |
Prices and details checked on 5 August 2026 at macwhisper.com. Facts, not scores. What the vendor's site does not say, this page does not say either.
The core difference.
The two apps answer different questions. MacWhisper answers: “I have a recording. What does it say?” It turns files from meetings or podcasts into text, subtitles, and translations. That is what it is built for.
Diktat answers: “I want to say this now instead of typing it.” Opening it means recording. Stopping means the text sits in your clipboard. On the Mac, it is in the focused field too. Diktat does not import files and does not create subtitles. That is on purpose.
Both are one-time purchases. MacWhisper Pro costs €64, Diktat for Mac €19.99 at launch and later €39.99. The iPhone version of Diktat is a separate purchase. If you have both jobs, both tools earn their place. One does not replace the other.
When MacWhisper is the better fit.
You transcribe recordings: interviews, meetings, voice memos from other sources, podcasts. That is MacWhisper's core territory, with batch processing and export formats.
You need subtitle files or translations from audio.
You work only on the Mac and dictate now and then. MacWhisper has a dictation mode for that.
When Diktat is the better fit.
You dictate every day, short and often: messages, emails, notes. That is the job Diktat does. Press a key, speak, the text is in the field.
You want the same tool on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch too.
You want to try it first: 5 dictations a day stay free for good, on the Mac too.
Questions about the comparison.
Does Diktat replace MacWhisper?
Diktat replaces MacWhisper only if your job is dictation. For file transcription, subtitles, and batch processing, MacWhisper is the right tool. Diktat does not import files. For dictating while you work, use Diktat: press a key, speak, paste.
Are both apps local?
Yes, both recognize speech on the device. Your recording does not go to a server. Diktat goes online to load a recognition model and Apple's language packs. On the Mac, unlocking your purchase and checking for updates go online too.
What do MacWhisper and Diktat cost?
MacWhisper Pro costs €64 one-time (as of 5 August 2026). Diktat for Mac costs €19.99 at launch, later €39.99. That is a one-time purchase too. You can try Diktat first, with 5 dictations a day.
Can Diktat generate subtitles?
No, Diktat does not create subtitles. It turns speech into text and puts it in the clipboard. It does not import files. If you need SRT files or podcast transcripts, use MacWhisper.
Try Diktat.
5 dictations a day are free. No account, no subscription. The purchase is one-time.