Speechify is primarily a text-to-speech app - it reads documents aloud using AI voices. They've added dictation features, but it's not their core focus. Voice Type is built specifically for speech-to-text dictation on macOS. If you need both TTS and dictation, consider whether a specialized tool for each might work better than one app doing both.
Short answer
- Pick Voice Type if you need dedicated dictation with on-device processing and a one-time purchase.
- Pick Speechify if you primarily want text-to-speech (TTS) and use dictation as a secondary feature.
At a glance
Finalization speed
Voice Type finalizes in under 2 seconds regardless of dictation length. The streaming architecture means consistent latency whether you dictate for 10 seconds or 10 minutes.
Accuracy via beam search
Voice Type uses beam search decoding with audio preprocessing (RNNoise, LUFS normalization). Technical terms and product names transcribe correctly.
Punctuation support
Voice Type has near-parity with Dragon Dictate for spoken punctuation. Say 'period', 'comma', 'new paragraph' naturally while dictating.
Custom vocabulary
Voice Type supports prompt conditioning for custom words following Whisper best practices. Add domain-specific terms that transcribe accurately.
Pricing
Voice Type: $19.99 one-time. Speechify: ~$139/year subscription (includes TTS features you may not need for dictation).
Dictation quality
Voice Type uses Whisper-based models running locally via Apple's Core ML. Before recognition, audio is conditioned with RNNoise (neural network noise suppression) and LUFS-based loudness normalization. The result: technical terms and product names transcribe accurately even in noisy environments.
Speechify's dictation uses cloud-based speech recognition. Quality depends on your internet connection and their server-side models. For quick notes it works fine; for extended dictation sessions with technical vocabulary, a dedicated tool typically performs better.
Cost comparison
Speechify Premium costs approximately $139/year (pricing varies by region and promotions). This includes text-to-speech, audiobooks, OCR, browser extensions, and voice typing.
Voice Type is $19.99 once on the Mac App Store with a 7-day free trial. After three months, Voice Type costs less than Speechify's annual subscription - and you own it forever.
| Period | Voice Type | Speechify Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $19.99 | ~$139 |
| Year 2 | $0 | ~$139 |
| Year 3 | $0 | ~$139 |
| 3-year total | $19.99 | ~$417 |
Who should choose what
Choose Voice Type if…
- •You need dedicated dictation with sub-2-second finalization.
- •You want Dragon-level punctuation support built in.
- •You dictate technical terms and need custom vocabulary.
- •You prefer a one-time $19.99 purchase over $139/year.
Choose Speechify if…
- •You primarily want text-to-speech (listening to documents).
- •You need cross-platform sync across devices.
- •Dictation is a secondary feature, not your main workflow.
- •You use Speechify's other features like audiobooks.
Technology references
- OpenAI Whisper (GitHub) - Open-source speech recognition model
- Robust Speech Recognition via Large-Scale Weak Supervision - Whisper research paper (OpenAI, 2022)
- RNNoise (GitHub) - Neural network noise suppression
- Apple Core ML - On-device machine learning framework
- Apple Metal - GPU acceleration for ML inference