Aiolos or Apple Dictation?
Every Mac can dictate without an extra app. For short messages that is often enough. Aiolos picks up where speech should turn into finished text right away.
As of October 5, 2026 · Details on other apps according to their makers, sources below
In short
- Apple Dictation fits if you want to write down what you say and don't want to install another app. It's built into macOS.
- Aiolos fits if your speech should turn into finished text right away: without filler words, as a prompt or a written-out message, with your own dictionary and meeting notes.
- Both recognize speech on the device and work in any app.
The comparison at a glance
| Feature | Aiolos | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free for the first 50; after that free with limits, or Pro for €59 a year or €7.99 a month | Built into macOS |
| Speech recognition on the device | On your Mac (Whisper) | General dictation on the device, which Apple says you can check in Keyboard settings |
| Starting | Hold a key, release to insert. Any key you like, fn by default | Microphone key, shortcut or the Edit menu |
| Length of a dictation | As long as you hold the key | No time limit, stops after 30 seconds without speech |
| Cleaning up filler words and self-corrections | Yes, in Correction mode | Not part of Dictation |
| Writing it as a prompt or message | Yes, Prompt and Assistant modes | Not part of Dictation |
| Improving or translating selected text | Yes, with a shortcut | Not part of Dictation |
| Languages | 99, detected automatically | Depends on language and region, switch with a click or the 🌐 key |
| Meeting notes | Yes, with no bot in the call | No |
What Apple Dictation does well
It comes with every Mac and costs nothing. According to Apple, general dictation is processed on the device. In supported languages it inserts commas, periods and question marks on its own, and it understands commands like “new line”. There is no time limit: it stops only after 30 seconds without speech (source).
What Aiolos adds
- Four modes: Raw writes word for word, Correction removes filler words and applies self-corrections, Prompt turns your train of thought into a clear instruction for ChatGPT, Claude or Cursor, and the Assistant carries out spoken instructions.
- Improving or translating selected text, with a shortcut, in any app.
- A dictionary for names and terms, and snippets like your signature or address.
- Meeting notes with no bot in the call, exported to Notion, Obsidian, Apple Notes and OneNote.
- If you like, an AI that runs entirely offline on your Mac (beta).
How to turn on Apple Dictation
Open System Settings, choose Keyboard and turn on Dictation. That's also where you set the shortcut, the languages and the microphone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apple Dictation free?+
Yes, it's built into macOS. After the early-bird phase, Aiolos comes free, with unlimited dictation without AI and 2,000 AI words a week, or as Pro for €59 a year or €7.99 a month, AI included.
Does Apple Dictation work offline?+
According to Apple, general text dictation is processed on the device. Whether that applies on your Mac is shown in System Settings under Keyboard, next to Dictation.
Can I use Aiolos and Apple Dictation side by side?+
Yes, with different keys. If Aiolos uses the fn key, set “Press 🌐 key to” to “Do Nothing” under Keyboard and give Dictation another shortcut.
Sources
Retrieved on October 5, 2026. Prices and features of other apps may change; their makers' details are authoritative.
Try Aiolos on your Mac.
The first 50 get Aiolos free for life. After that, there's a free plan, and Pro with AI included.