QuickSay vs SuperWhisper: Which Voice-to-Text App Is Right for You?
QuickSay and SuperWhisper are both one-time purchase voice-to-text apps, but they serve different platforms entirely. Platform is the primary decision factor here — QuickSay is Windows-only, SuperWhisper is Mac-only.
| QuickSay | SuperWhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (open beta) | $249.99 lifetime |
| Platform | Windows | macOS |
| Processing | Cloud (Groq) | Local (on-device) |
| Screen capture | None | None |
| Offline capable | No (requires internet) | Yes |
| Install size | ~105 MB | Varies (local models) |
| Text cleanup | AI text cleanup | Local LLMs |
| Languages | 25 | Multiple (Whisper-based) |
Platform: the deciding factor
This comparison is straightforward for most people. QuickSay runs on Windows. SuperWhisper runs on macOS. If you use Windows, SuperWhisper is not an option. If you use a Mac, QuickSay is not an option. For the minority of users who work across both platforms, the other differences below may help you prioritize.
Price
QuickSay is free during the open beta — no credit card required. SuperWhisper costs $249.99 for the lifetime plan.
Privacy and offline use
SuperWhisper wins on pure privacy. It processes everything locally on your Mac. No audio ever leaves your device. This is a genuine advantage for users who handle sensitive material or work in air-gapped environments.
QuickSay sends audio to the AI service's cloud for transcription and cleanup. It captures zero screen data and runs zero tracking, but the audio processing itself is cloud-based. This trade-off enables QuickSay's smaller install size and lower price point, but it does mean you need an internet connection.
Text cleanup
Both apps use large language models to clean up raw transcription. QuickSay routes text through cloud-based AI for cleanup. SuperWhisper runs LLMs locally on your Mac. Both approaches clean up filler words, fix grammar, and format output. SuperWhisper's local processing means it works without internet; QuickSay's cloud approach means it works on less powerful hardware.
Developer credibility
SuperWhisper has strong endorsements from well-known developers including Andrej Karpathy and Pieter Levels. It has built a solid reputation in the Mac developer community. QuickSay is newer but purpose-built for the Windows ecosystem, where developer-focused voice-to-text options are limited.
Who should choose QuickSay
- ✓ Windows users — SuperWhisper does not support Windows at all.
- ✓ Users who want free access — free during open beta vs $249.99.
- ✓ Users with modest hardware — cloud processing means your local machine does not need to run large AI models.
- ✓ Users who want a minimal install — ~105 MB versus large local model downloads.
Who should choose SuperWhisper
- ✓ Mac users — SuperWhisper is built specifically for macOS.
- ✓ Users who need true offline capability — everything runs locally, no internet required.
- ✓ Users handling sensitive data — audio never leaves your device, which is the strongest privacy guarantee possible.
- ✓ Users who value developer community endorsement — SuperWhisper has notable backers in the Mac dev space.
On Windows? Try QuickSay.
Free during open beta. Generous free daily usage. Zero screen capture.
Join the Open Beta — Free