macOS has built-in dictation. It works. But if you dictate often, you'll hit the limits.
The built-in option
System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation → On. Press Fn twice to start, again to stop.
It's fine for quick notes. The catches: it needs internet, has timeouts on long sessions, and sends audio to Apple. For occasional use, no complaints.
When you need more
If dictation is part of your daily work, the built-in tool starts to chafe:
- Timeouts interrupt long thoughts
- Network hiccups break flow (try it on a train)
- Technical terms come out wrong with no way to fix them
- Privacy - your voice goes somewhere else
How Voice Type works
Hold a hotkey (⌥ Space by default). Talk. Release. Text appears.
Everything runs on your Mac. No upload, no server round-trip. We process in ~30-second windows, so when you stop, only the last window needs finishing. On an M1, that's about 2-3 seconds.
You can add custom vocabulary for terms the model doesn't know. Names, products, jargon - spelled exactly how you want.
Which to use
Built-in dictation: Quick notes, occasional use, you don't mind cloud processing.
Voice Type: Daily use, long sessions, technical vocabulary, offline requirement, privacy matters.
The built-in option is free. Voice Type is $19.99 after a 7-day trial. Try both and use what fits.
Related: Why offline dictation stays fast · Short utterances and network costs