Comparison · Transcription app
TapWisper vs MacWhisper
MacWhisper is a Mac transcription app known for transcribing audio and video files with local Whisper models, with dictation and meeting recording in its Pro version. TapWisper is built around dictation into any app — with AI cleanup, tone by app, edit-by-voice and bot-free meeting notes — and is free, open-source and available on Mac and Windows.
Side by side
How they compare.
Based on public information as of October 2026. Plans and features change — check MacWhisper’s site for the latest.
| TapWisper | MacWhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (MIT open source); cloud models billed by your provider | Free version for file transcription with small models; Pro is a one-time licence (around €59–€64; check the store) |
| Open source | Yes — MIT licence | No |
| Platforms | macOS 12+, Windows 10+ (Linux from source) | Mac (recent versions need macOS 15+); separate iPhone/iPad app |
| Where AI runs | Your choice: cloud with your own key, local on-device, or self-hosted | On-device by default, optional cloud |
| Works offline | Yes, with local models | Yes |
| Choose your models / own API key | OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Together AI, Soniox, 42 local models, any OpenAI-compatible server | Yes — local Whisper; own OpenAI key, with more providers reported |
| Dictate into any app | Yes — pastes at the cursor in any app | Yes — dictation in Pro |
| AI cleanup & tone | Yes — filler words, punctuation, tone by app | AI prompts for dictation (Pro) |
| Edit selected text by voice | Yes — select text and speak an instruction | Not confirmed |
| Meeting notes | Yes — bot-free on Mac (macOS 13+) and Windows, live transcript, AI summary | Yes — records Zoom, Teams and Webex calls with live transcripts (Pro, beta) |
| Account | No account | No (licence key) |
| Languages | 21 + auto-detect and mixed languages (99 with local Whisper) | About 100 (Whisper) |
Which one?
Pick the right tool for you.
Choose TapWisper if
- Dictating into apps is your main use, and you want tone by app, snippets and triggers.
- You're on Windows, or on a Mac older than macOS 15.
- You want everything free and open-source.
Choose MacWhisper if
- You mostly transcribe recorded audio and video files.
- You want advanced transcript editing, speaker labels and export formats.
- You prefer a one-time purchase for a dedicated Mac transcription tool.
FAQ
Good questions.
Is MacWhisper free?
MacWhisper has a free version for file transcription with smaller models; dictation, meeting recording and larger models need the paid Pro licence. TapWisper is free.
Sources
Where these facts come from.
Download · v1.2.0
Start talking in a minute.
Free and open-source, no account. Setup walks you through permissions, your microphone and a speech engine — then you just talk.