Keep Apple Dictation for quick messages: it is free, already installed, and adds punctuation. Pick ahsk when you write for other people: it removes fillers and self-corrections, applies a dictionary for your names and jargon, translates into 50+ languages as you speak, and runs on Windows as well as Mac and iPhone. ahsk has a free tier; Pro is €9.99 a month.
Where Apple Dictation is ahead
It is free forever, it is already installed, and it needs no account. Apple lets you check in Keyboard settings whether your voice input is processed on your device. It inserts commas, periods and question marks automatically in supported languages, and on a Mac with Apple silicon you can keep typing while you speak. There is no honest comparison in which "already there and costs nothing" is not an advantage.
What ahsk does differently
ahsk cleans up what you said: fillers and self-corrections go, and punctuation and paragraphs are added, with voice modes such as Informal, Formal and Mail. It has a personal dictionary and learns the words you correct. Hold fn to dictate for as long as you hold it; tap fn to go hands-free. It translates as you speak. And the same account and dictionary work on Windows and iPhone.
On accents
Apple Dictation depends on the language and region packs Apple supports. ahsk transcribes with Whisper large-v3 in the cloud, a model we chose for accented speech. We have not published a benchmark, so the only fair test is your own voice: read the same paragraph into both.
Who should pick which
Keep Apple Dictation for quick messages, especially if on-device processing matters to you. Use ahsk when you are writing something someone else will read, when you need a second language, or when you also work on a Windows PC.
How this comparison was made
Prices, platforms and features for the other product are taken from its own website, pricing page or app store listing, last reviewed 26 September 2026, and ahsk facts from the current builds (Mac 6.11.2, Windows 1.19.0, iOS 2.x). If something has changed or we got a detail wrong, email support@ahsk.app and we will fix it. We would rather be accurate than flattering.
Comparison
| Feature | ahsk | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Price | Free tier, Pro €9.99/mo | Free |
| Automatic punctuation | Yes, plus paragraphs | Yes, in supported languages |
| Removes fillers and self-corrections | Yes | Not in Apple's dictation guide |
| Custom dictionary for names and jargon | Yes, plus learned corrections | Not in Apple's dictation guide |
| When it stops listening | When you release fn; hands-free stops after 30 s of silence | After 30 s with no speech |
| Translate as you speak | Yes, 50+ languages | No |
| Where speech is processed | Cloud (Whisper large-v3) | Can be on-device; shown in Keyboard settings |
Try dictation that cleans up after you
Free for 10,000 words, no card. Hold fn and read one paragraph of your own writing; compare it with what Apple typed.
Download for MacRelated guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Apple Dictation stop by itself?
Apple's guide says dictation stops automatically when no speech is detected for 30 seconds. With ahsk, holding fn keeps the mic open for as long as you hold it. Hands-free mode (tap fn) also ends itself after 30 seconds of silence, so an accidental tap cannot leave the mic open forever.
Does ahsk replace Apple Dictation or run alongside it?
Alongside. ahsk uses the fn key by default and does not touch Apple's settings, so both keep working. If macOS already uses fn for the emoji picker or dictation, you can set that key to Do Nothing, or move ahsk to Right Option, Command or Control.
Is ahsk free?
Yes. Every account starts with 10,000 free words and no card. Pro is €9.99 a month for unlimited dictation, translation and AI rewriting, and one subscription covers Mac, Windows and iPhone.
Does ahsk work offline?
No. Transcription runs on Whisper large-v3 in the cloud, a model we chose for accented speech. Audio is not stored on our servers and is not used for training, and your dictionary and learned words stay on your device. If you need fully offline dictation, ahsk is the wrong tool and we say so.
