# VoiceInk

> Open-source Mac dictation with local models and a one-time price

VoiceInk is a dictation app for macOS that transcribes speech with models running on the Mac, so audio does not have to leave the device. Modes pick the model, language and optional AI cleanup for each app or website, and cloud transcription or enhancement can be added with your own provider API keys. The source code is published under the GPL v3, and the packaged app is sold as a one-time license per number of Macs.

- **Category:** Voice Dictation
- **Made by:** Prakash Joshi (Pax)
- **Website:** https://tryvoiceink.com
- **Runs on:** macOS, iOS
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 5, 2026

## Pricing

VoiceInk is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $25 one-time, for 1 Mac.

- **Pricing model:** Free trial
- **Free plan:** None.
- **Free trial:** 7-day free trial of the Mac app, started during onboarding.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Solo | $25 one-time payment, 1 Mac | Lifetime access on 1 macOS device, with lifetime updates and a 14-day money-back guarantee. |
| Personal | $39 one-time payment, up to 2 Macs | The same lifetime license on up to 2 macOS devices, aimed at a desktop Mac plus a MacBook. |
| Extended | $49 one-time payment, up to 3 Macs | The same lifetime license on up to 3 macOS devices. |
| Startup License | $159 one-time payment, up to 10 Macs | A team license bought in one checkout that works on up to 10 Macs. |

Read from https://tryvoiceink.com/pricing on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with VoiceInk before buying.

## Ways to pay less

- **One-time license from $25** (Lifetime license): Every plan is a single payment with lifetime updates and a 14-day money-back guarantee: $25 for 1 Mac, $39 for 2, $49 for 3 and $159 for 10. Source: https://tryvoiceink.com/pricing
- **Student discount on request** (Education): The site's FAQ says student discounts are available by contacting the developer with a student ID. The amount is not published. Source: https://tryvoiceink.com/
- **Creator Bonus: up to 100% back for sharing** (Other savings): Public posts about VoiceInk earn 30% back at 1,000 total views, 50% at 2,000 and a full refund at 10,000. People who have not bought yet get a 30% discount instead. Source: https://tryvoiceink.com/creator-bonus

## Key features

- **Local transcription:** Speech is transcribed by models that run on the Mac, including Parakeet and Whisper, so audio is processed on the device. Onboarding starts with the Parakeet V3 model.
- **Modes and triggers:** A Mode sets the transcription model, language, AI enhancement and output, and can switch automatically by app, website, spoken trigger phrase or shortcut.
- **AI enhancement with your own keys:** Optionally send the transcript to a provider you connect, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or Groq, to clean up, rewrite or draft a reply. VoiceInk Refine does cleanup locally.
- **Dictionary and Smart Replace:** Add names and custom vocabulary, expand a short spoken phrase into exact text, and let Auto Learn pick up corrections you make.
- **File transcription and history:** Queue existing audio and video files for transcription, and search, replay, export or retry earlier results in a history stored on the Mac.
- **Assistant Mode:** Ask a question by voice and carry on the conversation inside the recorder window, using the AI provider you have connected.

## Good for

- Mac users who want speech transcribed on their own machine
- Buyers who prefer a one-time license to a subscription
- People who want to pick their own transcription and AI providers

## Worth knowing

- A Mac license does not cover the iPhone and iPad app, which is licensed separately and is free while in beta.
- Vendor pages disagree on requirements: the pricing page says Apple Silicon and macOS 14.4 or later, the install docs say macOS 15 or later.
- AI enhancement and cloud transcription need your own provider API keys, and those requests leave the Mac.
- Licenses are capped by device count: 1, 2 or 3 Macs on the personal plans and 10 on the Startup License.

## Works with

OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, Mistral, Deepgram, ElevenLabs, OpenRouter

**Tags:** Dictation, Transcription, AI features, Open source, Works offline, Local-first, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [Superwhisper](https://toolgpa.com/tools/superwhisper): Voice-to-text app with offline models and custom AI modes. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/superwhisper-vs-voiceink)
- [MacWhisper](https://toolgpa.com/tools/macwhisper): Mac transcription and dictation app that runs models locally. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/macwhisper-vs-voiceink)
- [Wispr Flow](https://toolgpa.com/tools/wispr-flow): Voice dictation that cleans up your speech in any app. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/voiceink-vs-wispr-flow)
- [Handy](https://toolgpa.com/tools/handy): Free, open-source offline speech-to-text for desktop. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/handy-vs-voiceink)
- [Spokenly](https://toolgpa.com/tools/spokenly): Dictation app with free local models and optional cloud accuracy. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/spokenly-vs-voiceink)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026:

- https://tryvoiceink.com/
- https://tryvoiceink.com/pricing
- https://tryvoiceink.com/ios
- https://tryvoiceink.com/creator-bonus
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/introduction
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/installation
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/license-management
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/ios-macos-license-confusion
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/cloud-providers
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/privacy-and-data
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Beingpax/VoiceInk/main/README.md
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voiceink-ai-dictation/id6751431158

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/voiceink
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).