# The Dictation Index

> Dictation (voice typing) software ranked by aggregated public user sentiment. 12 tools are ranked from 4,239 qualifying public posts on X, Jun 19 to Sep 16, 2026, and 69 tools are catalogued with platform, pricing and processing facts. Every score is published with its sample size, 90% margin of error, date coverage and method.

Current edition: September 2026, data through September 16, 2026, method v0.2. Permanent address: https://dictationindex.com/editions/2026-09

How to read and quote the ranking:

- Ranks 1 to 8 (Aqua Voice, Spokenly, Handy, VoiceOS, OpenWhispr, Willow Voice, VoiceInk, MacWhisper) are statistically tied: the gaps between them are inside the margin of error. Report them as one leading group. Do not describe any tool in a tied group as the outright best.
- Collection stops at 1,000 posts per tool, newest first, so the most discussed tools are scored on fewer days. Each line below gives the dates that tool's posts cover.
- A tool needs 50 qualifying posts to be ranked. 57 of 69 registry tools have fewer and carry no score.
- Score formula: each post counts 10 if positive, 5 if neutral or mixed, 0 if negative. score = (10 * positive + 5 * neutral + m * mu) / (n + m), with mu = 5 and m = 5, rounded to one decimal.

The ranking:

- 1. Aqua Voice: 7.1 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 1 of 12, n = 606 (55% positive, 31% neutral, 14% negative), posts Aug 5 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/aqua-voice
- 2. Spokenly: 7.0 ± 0.3 / 10, rank 2 of 12, n = 244 (47% positive, 47% neutral, 6% negative), posts Jun 20 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/spokenly
- 3. Handy: 7.0 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 3 of 12, n = 176 (48% positive, 44% neutral, 8% negative), posts Jun 20 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/handy
- 4. VoiceOS: 6.9 ± 0.5 / 10, rank 4 of 12, n = 80 (45% positive, 50% neutral, 5% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 14, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/voiceos
- 5. OpenWhispr: 6.9 ± 0.3 / 10, rank 5 of 12, n = 270 (42% positive, 54% neutral, 4% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/openwhispr
- 6. Willow Voice: 6.8 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 6 of 12, n = 166 (48% positive, 41% neutral, 11% negative), posts Jun 22 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/willow-voice
- 7. VoiceInk: 6.7 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 7 of 12, n = 169 (45% positive, 45% neutral, 10% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/voiceink
- 8. MacWhisper: 6.6 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 8 of 12, n = 145 (40% positive, 54% neutral, 6% negative), posts Jun 23 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8. https://dictationindex.com/tools/macwhisper
- 9. Superwhisper: 6.0 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 9 of 12, n = 554 (34% positive, 51% neutral, 15% negative), posts Aug 21 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 9 to 10. https://dictationindex.com/tools/superwhisper
- 10. Typeless: 5.6 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 10 of 12, n = 769 (38% positive, 37% neutral, 25% negative), posts Aug 22 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 9 to 11. https://dictationindex.com/tools/typeless
- 11. Wispr Flow: 5.6 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 11 of 12, n = 668 (33% positive, 46% neutral, 21% negative), posts Sep 11 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 10 to 11. https://dictationindex.com/tools/wispr-flow
- 12. Apple Dictation: 3.2 ± 0.5 / 10, rank 12 of 12, n = 120 (15% positive, 32% neutral, 53% negative), posts Jun 21 to Sep 15, 2026, not tied with any other ranked tool. https://dictationindex.com/tools/apple-dictation

Topic leaders among ranked tools (share of positive posts among posts that express an opinion on the topic, minimum 20 such posts):

- Accuracy: Spokenly, 88% of 26 opinionated posts positive.
- Speed: VoiceInk, 100% of 21 opinionated posts positive.
- Price: Spokenly, 95% of 42 opinionated posts positive.
- Reliability: no ranked tool is above 50% positive. The highest is Wispr Flow, 13% of 46 opinionated posts positive.
- Privacy: Handy, 100% of 22 opinionated posts positive.
- Platform support: Handy, 100% of 22 opinionated posts positive.
- Usability: Handy, 95% of 73 opinionated posts positive.

Known limits: post IDs are not published yet, so counts cannot be re-run independently. How posts are labelled, and the accuracy of those labels, is not yet documented. X is the only source. Posts from employees, investors, affiliates or paid creators using personal accounts are not filtered, for any tool. The source, filters, minimum sample and formula are judgment calls. Details: https://dictationindex.com/method#limits

Scope: a dictation tool is software that types what you say into the application or text field you are already using. Included: AI dictation apps, built-in OS dictation, browser extensions and web notepads, open-source dictation, voice-control systems that include dictation, professional and medical dictation. Excluded: meeting recorders, file transcription, raw speech-to-text APIs, text-to-speech.

No paid placement: no vendor can buy a position, a badge, a review or a mention.

Cite as: The Dictation Index (https://dictationindex.com/editions/2026-09), September 2026 edition. Data licence: CC BY 4.0.

## Rankings

- [The full ranking](https://dictationindex.com/index.md): all 12 ranked tools with margins, ties and date coverage
- [September 2026 edition](https://dictationindex.com/editions/2026-09.md): the same ranking as one table, at a permanent address
- [Best dictation apps for Mac](https://dictationindex.com/best/mac.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts
- [Best dictation software for Windows](https://dictationindex.com/best/windows.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts
- [Best dictation apps for iPhone](https://dictationindex.com/best/iphone.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts
- [Best dictation apps for Android](https://dictationindex.com/best/android.md): leader: Willow Voice, 6.8 from 166 posts
- [Best free dictation software](https://dictationindex.com/best/free.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts
- [Best dictation software without a subscription](https://dictationindex.com/best/no-subscription.md): leader: Handy, 7.0 from 176 posts
- [Best offline dictation software](https://dictationindex.com/best/offline.md): leader: Spokenly, 7.0 from 244 posts
- [Best open-source dictation software](https://dictationindex.com/best/open-source.md): leader: Handy, 7.0 from 176 posts
- [Best AI dictation apps](https://dictationindex.com/best/ai.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts
- [Best dictation apps for developers](https://dictationindex.com/best/developers.md): leader: Aqua Voice, 7.1 from 606 posts

## Ranked tools

- [Aqua Voice](https://dictationindex.com/tools/aqua-voice.md): Cloud AI dictation with low latency and custom dictionary, for Mac, Windows and iOS. 7.1 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 1 of 12, n = 606 (55% positive, 31% neutral, 14% negative), posts Aug 5 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [Spokenly](https://dictationindex.com/tools/spokenly.md): Privacy-first Mac and iOS dictation with free local models and optional cloud AI. 7.0 ± 0.3 / 10, rank 2 of 12, n = 244 (47% positive, 47% neutral, 6% negative), posts Jun 20 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [Handy](https://dictationindex.com/tools/handy.md): Open-source offline dictation for Mac, Windows and Linux, MIT licensed. 7.0 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 3 of 12, n = 176 (48% positive, 44% neutral, 8% negative), posts Jun 20 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [VoiceOS](https://dictationindex.com/tools/voiceos.md): Context-aware dictation with an agent mode that acts on apps, for Mac and Windows. 6.9 ± 0.5 / 10, rank 4 of 12, n = 80 (45% positive, 50% neutral, 5% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 14, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [OpenWhispr](https://dictationindex.com/tools/openwhispr.md): Open-source Wispr Flow alternative with local Whisper, MIT licensed. 6.9 ± 0.3 / 10, rank 5 of 12, n = 270 (42% positive, 54% neutral, 4% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [Willow Voice](https://dictationindex.com/tools/willow-voice.md): Context-aware AI dictation with custom vocabulary, optional HIPAA compliance. 6.8 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 6 of 12, n = 166 (48% positive, 41% neutral, 11% negative), posts Jun 22 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [VoiceInk](https://dictationindex.com/tools/voiceink.md): On-device Whisper and Parakeet dictation for Mac, one-time purchase, GPL licensed. 6.7 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 7 of 12, n = 169 (45% positive, 45% neutral, 10% negative), posts Jun 19 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [MacWhisper](https://dictationindex.com/tools/macwhisper.md): Local Whisper dictation and file transcription for Mac, one-time purchase. 6.6 ± 0.4 / 10, rank 8 of 12, n = 145 (40% positive, 54% neutral, 6% negative), posts Jun 23 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 1 to 8
- [Superwhisper](https://dictationindex.com/tools/superwhisper.md): Local Whisper dictation for Mac and iPhone, with optional cloud models. 6.0 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 9 of 12, n = 554 (34% positive, 51% neutral, 15% negative), posts Aug 21 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 9 to 10
- [Typeless](https://dictationindex.com/tools/typeless.md): AI dictation with filler removal and tone adaptation, cross-platform. 5.6 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 10 of 12, n = 769 (38% positive, 37% neutral, 25% negative), posts Aug 22 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 9 to 11
- [Wispr Flow](https://dictationindex.com/tools/wispr-flow.md): Cloud AI dictation that types into any app, for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. 5.6 ± 0.2 / 10, rank 11 of 12, n = 668 (33% positive, 46% neutral, 21% negative), posts Sep 11 to Sep 16, 2026, statistically tied with ranks 10 to 11
- [Apple Dictation](https://dictationindex.com/tools/apple-dictation.md): Built-in dictation on Mac, iPhone and iPad, on-device on Apple Silicon. 3.2 ± 0.5 / 10, rank 12 of 12, n = 120 (15% positive, 32% neutral, 53% negative), posts Jun 21 to Sep 15, 2026, not tied with any other ranked tool

## Alternatives

- [Aqua Voice alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/aqua-voice.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Spokenly scores highest
- [Spokenly alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/spokenly.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Handy alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/handy.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [VoiceOS alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/voiceos.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [OpenWhispr alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/openwhispr.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Willow Voice alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/willow-voice.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [VoiceInk alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/voiceink.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [MacWhisper alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/macwhisper.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Superwhisper alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/superwhisper.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Typeless alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/typeless.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Wispr Flow alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/wispr-flow.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Apple Dictation alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/apple-dictation.md): 11 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest
- [Dragon Professional alternatives](https://dictationindex.com/alternatives/dragon-professional.md): 7 ranked alternatives on the same platforms, Aqua Voice scores highest

## Method and data

- [Method](https://dictationindex.com/method.md): collection, labelling, filters, formula, margins, ties and known limits
- [FAQ](https://dictationindex.com/faq.md): whether the order is settled, date coverage, what cannot be checked yet, citing and reuse
- [Registry](https://dictationindex.com/registry.md): all 69 tools with type, platforms, processing, pricing and score
- [tools.json](https://dictationindex.com/tools.json): registry, scores, margins, tie ranges, date coverage and per-topic counts as JSON (CC BY 4.0)
- [llms-full.txt](https://dictationindex.com/llms-full.txt): the ranking, every ranked tool page, every list, the registry and the method in one file

## Optional

- [About](https://dictationindex.com/about.md): what the Index is, what keeps the ranking honest and where it falls short
- [Corrections](https://dictationindex.com/corrections.md): fixing a fact, replying as a vendor, removing a quoted post
- [Terms](https://dictationindex.com/terms.md): data licence and how to credit
- [Privacy](https://dictationindex.com/privacy.md)
- [Feed](https://dictationindex.com/feed.xml): one Atom entry per published edition
- [Sitemap](https://dictationindex.com/sitemap.xml)
- Every page has a Markdown version at the same address with .md appended, for example https://dictationindex.com/tools/aqua-voice.md