Inkbie vs Apple Dictation
By petersindex, who makes Inkbie · Updated 4 October 2026
Both turn speech into text on your Mac, and both are free. Apple Dictation is built in and turns on with one switch. Inkbie is a free download that you hold to talk: it waits while you think, learns your words, and always runs on your Mac.
Inkbie and Apple Dictation compared
| Feature | Inkbie | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| How you talk | How you talkHold fn, talk, let go and it's typed | Press the Microphone key or your shortcut to start, press again to stop |
| Pausing to think | Pausing to thinkWaits as long as you hold the key | Stops by itself after 30 seconds of silence |
| Hands-free | Hands-freeDouble-tap fn, talk as long as you like | Stays on until you press again, or 30 seconds of silence |
| Names and jargon | Names and jargonTeach it your words, spelled your way | No word list of its own (Voice Control has one) |
| New lines and punctuation | New lines and punctuationSay “new line” | Say “new line”, “new paragraph” or the punctuation |
| Where speech becomes text | Where speech becomes textOn your Mac, always | On your Mac or Apple's servers, depending on settings |
| Works offline | Works offlineYes, after one download | It can; Apple notes some dictation may need internet |
| Paste it again | Paste it again⌥⌘V pastes your last take | Not something Apple describes |
| Setup | SetupA free download, about 600 MB for the voice model | Built into macOS: turn it on in Keyboard settings |
| Price | PriceFree, for good | Free |
Apple Dictation as described in Apple's own guides for macOS 27, checked 4 October 2026: Dictate on Mac, if Dictation doesn't work and Voice Control vocabulary.
When Inkbie is the better pick
You stop to think mid-sentence and don't want it to give up. You use names, products or jargon it keeps getting wrong. You want it on your Mac every time, on a plane or with Wi-Fi off. You'd like your last take one shortcut away, and a little ink drop in the corner that shows you it's listening.
When Apple Dictation is enough
You dictate a sentence or two now and then, you'd rather not install anything, or you need a language Inkbie doesn't have yet (Inkbie does 25 European languages). It's already on your Mac: turn it on in System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation.
How to use Dictation on a Mac →Questions
- Is there a free alternative to Apple Dictation?
- Yes. Inkbie is free voice typing for Mac: hold fn and talk, and your words are typed wherever your cursor is. It runs on your Mac, works offline after one download and needs no account.
- Why does Apple Dictation stop when I pause?
- Apple's guide says Dictation stops by itself when it hears no speech for 30 seconds. Inkbie listens for as long as you hold the key, so you can stop and think mid-sentence.
- Can Apple Dictation learn names and jargon?
- Dictation itself has no word list. Voice Control, a separate accessibility feature, has a custom vocabulary. Inkbie has a word list built in, so names and jargon come out spelled your way.
- Does Apple Dictation work offline?
- It can. Apple says you can check in Keyboard settings whether your voice is processed on your Mac rather than sent to its servers, and its troubleshooting page notes you may need an internet connection. Inkbie always runs on your Mac.
- Can I use both?
- Yes. Give Inkbie a different talk key in its Settings (Right ⌥ or Right ⌘) if fn already starts Dictation on your Mac.