Transcripted vs VoiceInk
VoiceInk and Transcripted are both private dictation apps for Mac. Your voice is turned into text on your Mac, and both are open source. VoiceInk is a paid, dictation-only app. Transcripted is free, and also handles meetings and audio files.
Download Transcripted — FreeAt a glance
| Transcripted | VoiceInk | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mac app for dictation, meetings, and audio files | Mac dictation app |
| Where speech becomes text | On your Mac | On your Mac |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free, no account | One-time license from $25 for one Mac |
| Meeting notes | Yes, with speaker names and no bot | Not the main focus |
| Open source | Yes, MIT | Yes, source on GitHub |
| Platforms | Mac with Apple silicon, macOS 26+ | Mac with Apple silicon, macOS 14.4+, plus a separate iPhone app |
VoiceInk details come from its own website, checked September 2026. Prices and features can change.
Both keep your voice on your Mac
VoiceInk and Transcripted both transcribe on your Mac. Neither needs to send your audio anywhere. VoiceInk has optional cloud features that only touch the text, and only if you turn them on.
One app for dictation and meetings
VoiceInk does dictation well. Transcripted does dictation, then keeps going. It records meetings without a bot, labels who spoke, and transcribes audio files you already have.
Every dictation and meeting is saved as a Markdown file in a folder on your Mac. You can search it, open it in Obsidian, or point Claude or another AI tool at it later. And it's free.
Where VoiceInk is better
VoiceInk runs on older Macs, back to macOS 14.4. Transcripted needs macOS 26. VoiceInk also has AI enhancement modes for cleaning up what you say, and an iPhone app.
If you're not on macOS 26 yet, or you only want dictation, VoiceInk is a good pick.
FAQ
Is Transcripted a good VoiceInk alternative?
Yes, if you're on macOS 26 and want dictation plus meeting notes in one free app. Both keep your voice on your Mac.
Is VoiceInk free?
VoiceInk's source code is on GitHub, but the ready-to-use app is a one-time purchase starting at $25.
Does Transcripted record meetings too?
Yes. It records Zoom, Meet, Teams, FaceTime, or an in-person chat from your Mac. No bot joins the call.
Which Macs does Transcripted support?
Transcripted needs an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer) running macOS 26 or later.