Mac dictation · Head to head
THOHT vs Superwhisper
These two are closer than most — both lead with on-device transcription on Apple Silicon. The differences are price, how the free tier works, and whether you want an iOS app and a lifetime-licence option.
By the THOHT team · Updated July 2026
The short answer
Pick THOHT for a low-cost Pro price, a forever-free local Mac tier with no caps, and one entitlement across Mac, iPhone and iPad. Pick Superwhisper if you want a mature modes system, Windows support, or a one-time lifetime licence.
Side by side
| THOHT | Superwhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (personal) | Free + $4.99/mo Pro | Free + Pro ~$8.49/mo |
| Processing | On-device / cloud by platform | Hybrid |
| Free tier | Unlimited, local | Yes (small local models) |
| Platforms | macOS + iOS + iPadOS | macOS, iOS, Windows |
| iOS app | Yes, iPhone + iPad (Universal Purchase) | Yes |
| Licence | Free + subscription | Free + subscription (lifetime option) |
| Open source | No | No |
| Apple Silicon | Native | Yes |
Where each one wins
Where THOHT wins
- Lower monthly price: $4.99/mo Pro vs Superwhisper's roughly $8.49/mo.
- Forever-free local tier with no time or usage caps.
- Single native on-device model tuned for Apple Silicon — nothing to download or pick.
Where Superwhisper wins
- Mature, configurable modes for email, chat and code, plus BYOK and optional cloud models.
- Also available on Windows, not just Apple devices.
- Offers a lifetime-licence option if you'd rather not subscribe.
Our verdict
Want a simple forever-free local Mac tier plus one Pro entitlement across Mac, iPhone and iPad? THOHT. Want the most configurable local-first toolkit with deep custom modes and a buy-once option? Superwhisper.
About Superwhisper
Superwhisper is the offline-first "standard" for many Mac and iPhone users: system-wide push-to-talk dictation with modes for email, chat and code. It runs local models for privacy and offline use, with optional cloud models and BYOK for heavier work.
Frequently asked questions
Are THOHT and Superwhisper both offline?+
Which is cheaper?+
Does THOHT have an iOS app like Superwhisper?+
Try THOHT on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Local dictation on Apple silicon Mac is free with no usage caps. Pro is $4.99/month (US) after a 7-day free trial — one Universal Purchase covers Mac, iPhone and iPad.