I used to spend way too much of my day typing—emails, briefs, social posts, campaign notes, project updates. Then I started using voice transcription.
I came across a discussion on X where Jeffrey Way asked what tools people use for voice-to-text. The replies were full of recommendations I hadn’t heard of, so I dug into them.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
Why I Started Using Voice Transcription
Most people type around 40 words per minute but speak at 125-150.
Content creation — Blog posts, email copy, social content. I get a rough draft out fast, then clean it up.
Email drafting — I can dictate a reply in seconds instead of staring at the screen.
Coding and technical work — A lot of my work now involves code—tracking scripts, landing pages, email templates, automation tools. Good voice transcription handles variable names and technical terms. I use it for SQL queries, HTML edits, even prompts to AI coding assistants.
Meeting notes — Instead of typing during calls, I talk through my notes right after.
Campaign documentation — When I need to write up my thinking on a strategy or experiment, it’s easier to talk it through than type it out.
Mobile — When I’m not at my desk and have an idea, I can capture it properly instead of typing a garbled note on my phone.
The Tools
VoiceInk
Website: tryvoiceink.com Price: One-time payment Platforms: Mac and iOS Processing: Local (uses Whisper)
The thread’s clear winner. Jeffrey Way: “exactly what I wanted. Works great!” Runs on your device, so audio stays private. No subscription. Mac and iPhone.
SuperWhisper
Website: superwhisper.com Price: Free tier available Platforms: Mac Processing: Local (uses Whisper)
Philo Hermans: “free tier works perfect.”
WisprFlow
Website: wisprflow.com Price: Monthly subscription Platforms: Mac and iOS Processing: Cloud-based
Jeffrey Way’s starting point. He said the “monthly subscription is a little pricey.” Processes audio in the cloud.
EmberType
Website: embertype.com Price: $39 one-time Platforms: Mac Processing: Local (uses Whisper)
Steve Mount built it: “handles code/technical terms well.” $39, no subscription.
Handy
Price: Varies Platforms: Desktop only Processing: Local
Josh Cirre: “worked great” for the last couple of months. No mobile.
Deepgram
Website: deepgram.com Price: API-based pricing Platforms: Integrates via API Processing: Cloud-based
Christoph Rumpel is “testing Deepgram on my bot.” It’s an API, not a consumer app—only relevant if you’re building something custom.
Built-in OS Options
Gregor uses “the built-in functionality in my operating system.” Jeffrey Way: “I find Siri to be horrid. An AI-backed solution is endlessly better.”
Other options
ElevenLabs Scribe — Known for voice cloning, but their transcription is accurate across 90+ languages with real-time support. Usage-based pricing, primarily API-based but has a web interface. Worth a look if you need multilingual support.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Platforms | Local/Cloud | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VoiceInk | One-time | Mac, iOS | Local | Yes |
| SuperWhisper | Free tier | Mac | Local | No |
| WisprFlow | Subscription | Mac, iOS | Cloud | Yes |
| EmberType | $39 one-time | Mac | Local | No |
| Handy | Varies | Desktop | Local | No |
| Deepgram | API pricing | Custom | Cloud | Via integration |
How to Choose
Need mobile? VoiceInk or WisprFlow.
Care about privacy? Go local—VoiceInk, SuperWhisper, or EmberType.
Hate subscriptions? VoiceInk or EmberType.
Work with code or technical stuff? EmberType.
Getting Started
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Pick one and try it for a week. SuperWhisper is free, EmberType is $39.
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Start with emails. Dictating replies builds the habit.
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Learn to speak punctuation. Say “comma,” “full stop,” “new paragraph.” Feels weird at first, then becomes automatic.
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Use it for first drafts. I still edit everything, but getting the rough version out is faster.
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Keep your phone handy. Some of my best ideas come when I’m not at my desk.