If you have an M1 or later Mac and want help rewriting text, Apple Intelligence is free and built in; Apple says you can write with Siri virtually anywhere you type. Pick ahsk if you want to write by voice: it removes fillers, adds punctuation, translates into 50+ languages as you speak, runs on Intel Macs, and uses the same account on Windows and iPhone.
What Apple Intelligence does well
It is free on supported hardware and built into macOS. Apple says you can write with Siri virtually anywhere you type, from drafting from scratch to feedback on what you wrote, and in Messages and Mail it can match your writing style. If you have a supported Mac and mostly want help polishing text you typed, start there.
What ahsk does differently
ahsk is a dictation app first. Hold fn, speak, release, and cleaned-up text lands at the cursor in any app with a text cursor: fillers removed, punctuation and paragraphs added, your names spelled from a personal dictionary. Hold fn+Shift to speak one language and paste another. Hold fn+Control to ask a question by voice. Highlight text and a small bar offers Ask, Rewrite, Translate and Search. Option+Shift+R records meeting notes.
On hardware
Apple Intelligence needs a Mac with M1 or later. ahsk runs on macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, on Intel and Apple silicon alike, because transcription runs in the cloud on Whisper large-v3. That also means ahsk needs an internet connection; it has no offline mode.
Beyond the Mac
Apple Intelligence lives on Apple devices. ahsk uses one account on Mac, Windows and iPhone: Ctrl+Win to dictate on Windows, and a keyboard on iPhone. Your dictionary and voice modes follow you.
Who should pick which
Use Apple Intelligence if you have an M1 or later Mac and want free writing help inside macOS. Use ahsk if you write by voice, need a second language, own an Intel Mac, or also work on Windows. Many people use both: Apple's tools for polishing, ahsk for getting words down.
Key Features
Voice dictation that cleans up
Hold fn, speak, release. Fillers go, punctuation and paragraphs arrive, in any app with a text cursor.
Translate as you speak
Hold fn+Shift, speak your language, and the text lands in any of 50+ languages.
Selection bubble
Highlight text anywhere and choose Ask, Rewrite, Translate or Search.
Personal dictionary
Names and jargon spelled your way, and it learns the words you correct.
Meeting notes
Option+Shift+R records a meeting into a summary with action items. 10 hours a month on every plan.
Works on Intel Macs
No M1 chip required. Runs on macOS 14 (Sonoma) and later.
Comparison
| Feature | Apple Intelligence | ahsk |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Virtually anywhere you type (per Apple) | Any app with a text cursor |
| Voice dictation with cleanup | Built-in dictation, separate feature | Yes, fillers removed, punctuation added |
| Translate while dictating | Not listed on apple.com/macos | Yes, 50+ languages |
| Hardware | Mac with M1 or later | Any Mac on macOS 14+, Intel or Apple silicon |
| Other platforms | Apple devices | Windows and iPhone, same account |
| Works offline | Parts run on-device | No, needs internet |
| Price | Free with supported hardware | Free for 10,000 words, Pro €9.99/mo |
Try ahsk next to Apple Intelligence
Free for your first 10,000 words, no card. Hold fn and dictate one real email.
Download for MacRelated guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ahsk better than Apple Intelligence?
They do different jobs. Apple Intelligence helps you write and rewrite on M1 and later Macs, for free. ahsk is built for writing by voice, with translation as you speak, and runs on Intel Macs, Windows and iPhone. If you dictate a lot, ahsk adds something Apple does not; if you only polish typed text, Apple's tools may be enough.
Does ahsk work on Intel Macs?
Yes. ahsk works on any Mac running macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, including Intel Macs. Apple Intelligence requires a Mac with M1 or later.
Can I use ahsk in Chrome, Slack and VS Code?
Yes. ahsk types into any app with a text cursor, including Chrome, Slack, VS Code, Notion and Terminal.
Does ahsk work offline?
No. Transcription runs on Whisper large-v3 in the cloud, so ahsk needs an internet connection. Audio is not stored on our servers and is not used for training.
Is ahsk free?
ahsk is free to start: your first 10,000 dictated words, no card required. Pro is €9.99 a month and covers Mac, Windows and iPhone.
