notta ai dictation on mac
Source: MacHow2

10 Best Dictation Software For Mac of 2026 (Free & Paid)

Nick Mead
Best Software
75
Last updated:

Why spend hours typing on your Mac when you can dictate text in less than half the time?

Modern speech-to-text software is now fast, accurate, and in many cases works entirely offline on Apple Silicon Macs. We’ve tested and reviewed the most accurate dictation software for Mac in 2026, covering everything from built-in macOS tools to advanced AI-powered dictation and professional transcription apps.

Whether you’re a writer, journalist, student, business professional, lawyer, medical professional, or creative, you’ll find Mac-compatible dictation software here that saves time, reduces strain, and fits the way you work.

Quick Comparison (Best Dictation Apps for Mac)

AppBest ForWorks OfflineAI FeaturesPricing
macOS DictationFree, offline dictation✅❌Free
MacWhisperOffline transcription & writers✅❌Free / €29 one time purchase
NottaAI dictation & meeting notes❌✅Free / Starts at
$8/month
OtterFree AI meeting notes❌✅Free / Paid plans from $16.99/month
Google GeminiGoogle Workspace users❌✅Paid starting around $20/month per user for Gemini Business
Microsoft Word DictateMicrosoft 365 users❌❌Paid – requires Microsoft 365 subscription
TalkTypeSimple offline dictation✅❌Paid from $20/month
Dragon (Windows)Legal & enterprise❌❌Paid $699
DeepScribeMedical dictation❌✅Enterprise pricing on request
Dictation.ioFree online dictation in Chrome❌❌Free

What Is Dictation Software?

Dictation software converts spoken words into written text, allowing you to write far faster than typing.

Most people can type 800–1,000 words in 30 minutes, but speak 3,000–4,000 words in the same time. That makes dictation ideal for:

  • Writing long documents
  • Emails and reports
  • Brainstorming ideas
  • Accessibility and RSI prevention
  • Hands-free note-taking

While basic voice typing is built into macOS, professional dictation software offers higher accuracy, better formatting commands, AI summaries, and industry-specific vocabulary.

Why Use Dictation Software on a Mac?

  • Faster than typing – especially for long-form writing
  • Reduces RSI (carpal tunnel, tendonitis, repetitive strain)
  • Hands-free productivity (cooking, walking, multitasking)
  • Capture ideas instantly without editing yourself mid-thought
  • More private than dictating to someone else
  • AI features can summarize, extract actions, and structure notes

Note: For meeting transcription, AI note-taking apps often outperform traditional dictation tools.

1. macOS Dictation (Best Free & Offline Option)

mac dictation on macos tahoe

Apple’s built-in Dictation remains the best free dictation software for Mac in 2026.

Thanks to Apple Intelligence and on-device processing on Apple Silicon Macs, Dictation is now fast, accurate, and private, with no internet connection required for supported languages.

Highlights

  • Works offline on Apple Silicon Macs
  • Excellent privacy (on-device processing)
  • Supports 60+ languages
  • Voice commands for punctuation and formatting
  • Works in most Mac apps (Pages, Word, Mail, etc.)

Limitations

  • No AI summaries or meeting notes
  • Less accurate for long technical documents

Pricing: Free with macOS
Best for: Everyday dictation, privacy-focused users

Check out our full guide on how to use Dictation on a Mac for more.

2. MacWhisper (Best Offline Dictation for Writers)

macwhisper dictation app
Source: MacWhisper

MacWhisper is one of the best offline dictation and transcription tools for Mac users who care about privacy.

Powered by local OpenAI Whisper models, MacWhisper transcribes audio entirely on your Mac – nothing is uploaded to the cloud.

Highlights

  • Fully offline transcription
  • Extremely accurate for interviews & long recordings
  • Supports 100+ languages
  • Exports to TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT
  • One-time purchase (no subscription)

Limitations

  • Not ideal for live dictation into apps
  • Requires an Apple Silicon Mac for best performance

Pricing: Free / €29 one-time Pro upgrade
Best for: Writers, journalists, offline transcription

3. Notta (Best AI Dictation & Meeting Notes)

Notta is one of the most accurate AI dictation and meeting transcription platforms we’ve tested.

It excels at real-time transcription, speaker detection, summaries, action plans, and mind maps, making it ideal for professionals and teams.

Highlights

  • Live transcription for Zoom, Teams, Google Meet
  • AI summaries and action items
  • Speaker identification
  • Audio/video file uploads
  • Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, mobile)

Limitations

  • Cloud-based (not offline)
  • Subscription required for heavy use

Pricing: Free plan includes 120 minutes of transcription per month / Paid plans from $8/month
Best for: AI-powered dictation and meetings

Check out our full Notta AI review for a more in-depth look.

4. Otter (Best Free AI Dictation Plan)

otter dictation app
Source: Otter

Otter remains one of the best free AI dictation tools for Mac users.

It’s particularly strong for lectures, meetings, and interviews, with automatic meeting joining and real-time transcription.

Highlights

  • Generous free plan
  • Automatic meeting assistant
  • Speaker identification
  • Searchable transcripts

Limitations

  • Cloud only
  • Less accurate than Notta for complex dictation

Pricing: The Free plan includes 300 transcription minutes per month / Paid plans from $16.99/month
Best for: Students, casual AI dictation

5. Google Gemini (Best for Google Workspace)

Source: Google Workspace

If you live in Google Workspace, Gemini’s “Take notes for me” feature in Google Meet is excellent.

It not only transcribes meetings but creates structured summaries, decisions, and follow-ups directly in Google Docs.

Best for: Google Meet & Docs users
Pricing: Google Gemini’s transcription and note-taking features are included in select Google Workspace plans (starting around $20/month per user for Gemini Business), with advanced AI capabilities available on higher tiers.

6. Microsoft Word Dictate (Best for Microsoft 365)

dictate in word for mac
Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Word’s built-in Dictate feature is reliable for basic dictation inside Word documents.

Best for: Microsoft 365 subscribers
Pricing: Requires Microsoft 365

Pricing: Requires Microsoft 365 subscription

7. TalkType (Best Simple Offline Dictation App)

talktype for mac
Source: TalkType

TalkType is a lightweight dictation app that integrates with macOS and works offline using Apple’s dictation engine.

Best for: Simple, privacy-focused dictation
Pricing: From $20/month
Note: Expensive for what it offers in 2026

8. Dragon Dictate (Windows Only – Niche Use)

dragon dictate for mac
Source: Dragon

Dragon remains the gold standard for legal and enterprise dictation, but it no longer supports macOS natively.

It only makes sense if you:

Pricing: $699
Best for: Legal professionals with legacy setups

9. DeepScribe (Best for Medical Dictation)

deepscribe medical dictation software mac
Source: DeepScribe

DeepScribe is purpose-built for clinicians, with HIPAA compliance and EHR integration.

Best for: Doctors & medical professionals
Pricing: Enterprise / On request

10. Dictation.io (Best Free Browser-Based Dictation)

dictation.io for mac
Source: MacHow2

Dictation.io is a simple, free, browser-based dictation tool that works well for quick speech-to-text tasks on a Mac.

It uses Google’s speech recognition engine, which means accuracy is generally very good, especially for clear, conversational speech. However, it only works reliably in Google Chrome and requires an active internet connection at all times.

Highlights

  • Completely free to use
  • Very accurate speech recognition (Google-powered)
  • Supports over 100 languages
  • No account required
  • Fast for short-form dictation (emails, notes, drafts)

Limitations

  • Chrome-only (does not work in Safari or Firefox)
  • No offline mode
  • No AI summaries, speaker detection, or meeting features
  • Transcripts are stored locally in the browser unless manually published

Dictation.io is best suited for occasional dictation, quick notes, or users who want a zero-cost, no-install option without committing to a desktop app or subscription.

Pricing: Free
Best for: Quick, casual dictation in Chrome

Dictation Microphones: Do You Need One?

MacBook microphones are good, but external microphones significantly improve accuracy, especially for long dictation sessions.

Recommended options

FAQ

What is the best dictation software for Mac in 2026?

For most users, macOS Dictation is the best free dictation software for Mac in 2026 because it works offline on Apple Silicon Macs and offers excellent accuracy and privacy.

If you need AI-powered summaries and meeting notes, Notta is the best overall paid option. For offline transcription and long recordings, MacWhisper is the best choice.

Does macOS have built-in dictation software?

Yes. macOS includes a built-in Dictation tool that allows you to convert speech to text in most apps.

On Apple Silicon Macs, dictation can run entirely offline, meaning your voice data is processed on your device rather than sent to Apple’s servers.

Is dictation software accurate on a Mac?

Yes. Modern dictation software on Mac is highly accurate, often exceeding 95% accuracy with clear speech and a good microphone.

Accuracy improves significantly when:

  • Using an external microphone
  • Dictating in a quiet environment
  • Using AI-powered or trained dictation apps

Can I use dictation software on a Mac without the internet?

Yes. Some dictation apps work completely offline, including:

  • macOS Dictation (Apple Silicon Macs only)
  • MacWhisper
  • TalkType (offline mode)

Most AI meeting transcription tools, such as Notta and Otter, require an internet connection.

What’s the difference between dictation software and AI note-taking apps?

Dictation software focuses on converting speech into text in real time, often for writing documents or emails.

AI note-taking apps go further by:

  • Transcribing meetings automatically
  • Identifying speakers
  • Summarizing conversations
  • Creating action items and follow-ups

For meetings, AI note-taking apps are usually the better choice.

Is dictation software safe and private to use?

It depends on the app.

  • Offline dictation apps (like macOS Dictation and MacWhisper) are the most private.
  • Cloud-based apps process audio on external servers, which may raise privacy concerns.

Always check whether audio is stored, shared, or used for training AI models.

What microphone should I use for dictation on a Mac?

While MacBook microphones are good, an external microphone improves accuracy significantly.

Good options include:

  • Wired USB headsets (best for long dictation)
  • Bluetooth headsets (hands-free dictation)
  • USB desktop microphones (best sound quality)

Even a budget microphone can noticeably improve results.

Is Dragon Dictate still available for Mac?

No. Nuance discontinued the Mac version of Dragon Dictate in 2018.

You can only use Dragon Dictate on a Mac by running Windows on an Intel Mac. It does not work properly on Apple Silicon Macs.

Can I dictate directly into Microsoft Word or Google Docs on a Mac?

Yes.

  • Microsoft Word for Mac includes a built-in Dictate feature for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
  • Google Docs Voice Typing works in the browser and is free to use.

Both are suitable for basic dictation but lack advanced AI features.

What is the best free dictation software for Mac?

The best free dictation options in 2026 are:

  • macOS Dictation (offline, built-in)
  • MacWhisper (free version for offline transcription)
  • Dictation.io (free, browser-based)
  • Otter (free plan for AI transcription)

The best option depends on whether you need offline use, AI features, or browser-based access.

Avatar photo
Nick Mead
Nick founded MacHow2 in 2013 and has a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Nick started life as a tech journalist and created MacHow2 mainly to help users like himself that had switched from Windows to macOS (and never looked back). Since then the site has evolved into one of the biggest independent online resources for Mac users new and old. You can follow him on X or get in touch via email below or the contact form at the top of the site.

75 Responses

  2. I had kept Dragon 6 working natively on my sequence of Macbooks Pros and MacOS versions until updated to Sonoma recently.
    Now Dragon flags errors when it opens.
    I’ve been very lucky keeping it working this long.
    I now have to decide whether to buy a Windows Version of Dragon and to install it on a Parallels VM.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. Did you have a Time Machine backup of your previous version of macOS? If so you can roll back to it easily. If not, you can also use Recovery mode on your Intel Mac to roll back to Ventura or use a bootable installer of Ventura.

      Reply

  3. I’m looking to buy a new MacBook next month and would really like to be able to use Dragon Professional 16 on it, having had no luck with other dictation software so far. I have some questions I hope you can help with:
    Is running it on Windows 11 via Parallels the best option to do this?
    What Macbook specs would you recommend for this set up? I’d prefer to spend extra and get one will run it all easily and last me a good while than skimp on price/specs and end up needing to upgrade again

    Reply

    1. Yes, that would be your best option. Presuming you’re buying a new Apple Silicon MacBook Pro with M1, M2 or M3 chip you would only be able to run Windows ARM on it. Although Dragon Dictate doesn’t work natively in Windows ARM, Windows ARM can translate Intel only apps like Dragon Dictate to work on a Mac. In terms of Specs, any new MacBook Pro will more than be enough for running Windows Dragon Dictate although we’d probably avoid the latest 14 inch M3 model as it may be a little bit lightweight for running Parallels.

      Reply

  5. I’m looking for some dictation software, but when I attempted to use Siri I encountered the problem mentioned above, that it cuts out every few seconds. My main concern though is that it states in the T&Cs that everything you write in it is sent to Apple, ostensibly to improve the product. This makes it of no use where other people’s confidentiality and privacy is concerned. The purpose I want dictation software for is very much to do with confidentiality obligations. I don’t think the article above mentions that as an issue at all. I imagine there will be other providers of dictation software who have the same policy as Apple/Siri, but this issue doesn’t feature in your reviews. Any guidance would be welcome.

    Reply

    1. It used to be possible to dictate offline on a Mac with the “Enhanced Dictation” feature but it was removed from macOS Catalina onwards. With products such as Dragon Dictate however, once they are installed and activated you don’t need to be online to dictate as all the language packs and speech recognition tools are downloaded on your desktop.

      Reply

  6. Re 10.15 Catalina at least: Apple Dictation under Siri is a huge step backwards: it is not usable: It times out regardless of your speaking (and of the above steps, ie turning it on in Preferences.) AND now, ANY TIME YOU TOUCH THE KEYBOARD it turns off. Previously you could use the keyboard AND Dictation. Now it is “beep beep” while you’re trying to think and compose. Unusable in my opinion.
    Since these were clearly conscious choices, and since usability is a company strength, my cynical side suspects they must have opted to aggressively cut open server threads for the sake of ??? increasing their profits. Sorry but I really liked what was there.

    Reply

    1. Because you can use it on a Mac by using Parallels which allows you to run Windows on your Mac. This is made pretty clear in the article. Even if there’s no native Mac version, Dragon is sill the best dictation software in terms of accuracy and voice recognition.

      Reply

      1. That’s fair. What isn’t exactly clear, at least to me, is whether you can actually use the Parallels/Windows Dragon directly in Mac apps? Your post mentions something about Desktop Publishing software which seems to imply that, but it isn’t clear how it really works, or if it does with ease. Otherwise, one would have to get Mac versions of all apps and install them inside the Parallels Windows instance, which isn’t really the same thing as having Dragon usable on Mac. If I’m going that route, I might as well go ahead and switch to a native Windows device because I’ll be using Windows as the primary OS.

        Reply

        1. Yes only Windows applications in Parallels will work with Dragon. Depending on the license you have though, some software and apps such as Microsoft Office allow you to install more than one installation within Windows and macOS on the same license. But in some cases, you may have to purchase the Windows version of the app too in order to use it with Dragon.

          Reply

      2. Dragon Dictate Professional 15 will not run in Parallels and MacOS if you are running an Apple CPU such as the M1 or M2 chip. Dragon Dictate will not run on the Windows ARM version.

        Reply

        1. Dragon Naturally Speaking does run in Parallels running Windows ARM as long as you’re using Parallels 18.0.1 or later. Windows ARM can “translate” Intel only software to work in Windows ARM including Dragon. There was an issue with Dragon not working in Parallels 18 running Windows ARM initially but an update to Parallels fixed it.

          Reply

      3. But a Mac with Windows is not really a Mac any more, is it? I have Macs to get away from Windows; I have stopped using Office and do not use Chrome etc. Trying to live a peaceful life with as little MS and Google as possible!

        Reply

        1. That’s completely understandable and not everyone wants Windows on their Mac. As you say in your previous comment, Apple Dictation on macOS has come a long way and performs well even when compared to dedicated Windows based apps like Dragon.

          Reply

    2. Having bought Dragon 6.0.8 for Mac years ago, I still have it running very well natively on my MacBook Pro with OS 13.1. I’ve successfully migrated it several times with both hardware and software updates.

      Not much help to others, I know.

      Reply

      1. I agree with Andy – excellent dictation on Mac. Sadly I had to stop using it because my older Mac OS version was 32 bits vs. the news ones 64 bits. (And the 6.0 version is probably no longer available.
        The big picture is: Microsoft has bought Dragon from what I hear – and then ‘killed’ the MacOS version… Is this fair competition?

        Reply

  8. It can be a little buggy but I am still able to use Dragon Dictate 4.04 on my MacBook Air running Monterey 12.2.1. With each Mac OS update I worry that it will fail to work but it’s still going strong, for which I am thankful.

    Reply

  9. Your Instruction for Mac For High Sierra IS WRONG! In systems Preferences, there is NO “Dictation and Speech”!!! There is Only ‘SirI’!

    Reply

    1. If you go to the Apple () logo in the top left of your screen and select > System Preferences > Keyboard you will see the Dictation Tab
      where you can Switch Dictation to “On”.

      Reply

  10. They are greedy and determined to make us give them all our data. They took off the ability to easily dictate off line in the last two upgrades/. Just greedy. and I do not like them acc essing everything. It is just so wrong.

    Reply

  12. It is really frustrating that Apple and Dragon can’t work together to provide dictation for the Mac equal to that available for Windows. Apple should accept that developing their own software to match Dragon is not cost effective and the best way for them would be to partner with Dragon. Apple are just that bit too proud, I suppose.

    Reply

  13. I have a new Air M1 and an older Mac laptop w Dragon on it. Parallels on the Air was a nightmare, so I dictate w Dragon on the older Mac and transfer it over to my new Air. Can’t be bothered with all the special software I had to download and install bc I have an M1. Why hasn’t Mac come up with a Dragon version of their own? Are they still in the “I’m typing all of this” dark ages?

    Reply

  14. Mac Version 4 is ancient… I used to have Mac Version 5 way back in 2015. His boastful post is nearly useless for this decade and what’s currently available.

    Reply

  15. Unfortunately, Mac’s dictation feature is extremely buggy to the point of being unusable. At first it only worked in just a few apps for me, then, without me changing anything, it quit working altogether. Voice commands like “paste that” still work everywhere but actual dictation of text is completely non-functional. It’s hard to believe that it’s 2021 and a leader like Apple fails so badly at accessibilty.

    Reply

  16. I should have said “Unless you use Parallels”, of course. I am a Parallels user, but for me Dragon works fine natively

    Reply

  17. I’m using Dragon 6.0.8 (14812) on Mac OS 11.4 and it works fine.
    Fortunately, Dragon has been preserved through each Mac Book Pro replacement. It has survived through transfers of accounts and apps using Migration Assistant.
    I very much doubt if there is a now way of installing Dragon on any Big Sur Mac.

    Reply

  19. Surprise. Dragon Dictate is working seamlessly on my Mac with Big Sur. It had been balky with Catalina but Big Sur somehow brought it back to life. No need for Parallels at this juncture.

    Reply

  20. So, in reality, there is no way to really just point a cursor in a document or mail and just start voice-typing on a Mac? I have Dragon, but it seems not to work in Catalina. Version 5.5 I have Parallels but don’t have a PC version of Dragon… for $200+ dollars. Seems Mac is behind on this important ability.

    Reply

  21. Andy,

    Very interesting article.

    I have PARALLELS and know the DRAGON software well. My hesitation: many anecdotal reports were that it was hard to dictate from DRAGON on Windows to Mac applications

    If this hurdle could be overcome, I would buy & install DRAGON WINDOWS in a heartbeat.

    All the best,

    D

    Reply

  22. Hello Andy, Thanks for your helpful comments. I am using the latest version of Parallels. I was trying to use the on-line install when I ran into difficulties. Since then Nuance have provided me with a temporary direct download ling for the complete .exe file and I am glad to say the installation has worked and I now have Dragon 15.61 running in my VM environment. My next challenge is now to make the necessary changes so I can dictate in English and in German.
    Cheers
    Hans

    Reply

  23. I am fortunate that I have Dragon running on Big Sur without recourse to Parallels, but I do use Parallels a lot for other things.
    It is no surprise that Nuance don’t support Dragon on Parallels.
    However, most Windows apps are oblivious to being run on Parallels. Dragon might differ because of the complexity of audio being routed through the Mac to the Windows virtual machine or the download process is sensitive to being run on a VM. The latter seems to be your current problem.
    Is the download just a download of an install package or an online install process, I wonder. If the former, you might try the download on a ‘pure’ Windows PC and copy the install package over.
    Are you using Parallels 16.1.2 the latest?
    Good luck!

    Reply

  24. Thank you for the clear article. I have followed your advice but have found that the Parallels/Windows 10 based approach is quite difficult to install. I have been trying for several days to download the Dragon Pro exe file and have not succeeded. I have tried three different browsers, have disabled the Windows Firewall but it simply does not work for me. The Nuance Download manager displays the message ‘creating download’ and gets stuck there without any progress. Nuance support are trying to help but make it quite clear that the Dragon on Windows on Parallels is not a supported environment. I would be grateful for any suggestions how to resolve this.

    Reply

  26. I would be interested if the author of this nice article actually has used Dragon Professional for Windows on a Mac using Parallels? It sounds so nice. However, I bought Parallels and Dragon Professional…the Parallels was fine (although the fan ran constantly) but the Dragon on it never worked well and transferring to WOrd on Mac side was so clunky. I gave up trying (I have a day job!!). I am back using Dragon for Mac on Mojave with my wonderful library of words that I have trained over 10 years. It works fine. I am afraid to upgrade though and am looking for anyone who has tried it on M1 chip Macs.

    Reply

  27. Worth observing that some have had trouble installing Dragon 6.0.x on Catalina or even earlier MAC OS versions.

    I originally installed an earlier version of Dragon, perhaps as much as 10 years ago. Since then I have taken every Dragon upgrade and every MAC OS upgrade including the Big Sur Public Beta and used Migration Assistant when I bought each new Mac. I’ve been lucky, perhaps.

    It’s likely anyone wishing to do a clean install of Dragon on Catalina will fail.

    Anyone who has Dragon 6.0.8 running on Mojave is likely to be able to get it working on Catalina or Big Sur by adopting my approach. Do NOT try going direct from Mojave to Big Sur.

    Reply

  28. Like some others, I have found that Dragon 6.0.8 works satisfactorily with Mac OS Catalina, despite support having been withdrawn by Nuance. Dragon remains my dictation tool of choice on the Mac.

    In the last month, I have installed the Mac OS 11 ‘Big Sur’ public beta and I find Dragon still works.

    There were a few problems selecting the microphone to dictate with, but that is just a change to Big Sur’s bluetooth selection.

    I am dictating using my AirPods rather than a headset. I am usually in a quiet environment.

    Reply

  29. Let’s face it: we Mac/IOS users continue to be at a disadvantage when it comes to dictation software. Ever since Nuance discontinued Dragon Dictate in 2018 we’ve had little to turn to. Apple’s current built-in dictation software (Catalina) is about where Dragon Dictate was around 2012 – it doesn’t “learn” or improve with us very well and you can’t even easily copy or download the commands for it found in Preferences.

    We can hope for improvement with upcoming Big Sur and IOS 14, but chances are Apple will continue its traditional emphasis on gaming, glitz, and the creative arts other than serious writing. For serious long form writing beyond the memo we’re stuck with using the ancient Dragon Dictate 6, patching something else together, or paying a couple hundred dollars to install Parallels and Windows and buying the latest version of Dragon Naturally Speaking 16 for PC. Why bother using a Mac for dictation with all this going against us?

    Reply

  30. My setup: MacBook pro dec 2016; Catalina; MS Word 2019 standalone version (not 365); LG 5K display w/mic and camera; iPhone

    OK, so this is how I do it:
    1. record memo on iPhone Voice Memos
    2. use airdrop to move memo to MacBook
    4. Open Word
    5. ->Edit -> Start Word Dictation
    6. open and play the memo
    7. watch Word listen to it and type it into the document

    Pretty cool.

    Obviously, I can just dictate straight into Word, but this is how I can input a memo made on my phone. I also played the memo on the iPhone in front of the microphone, and that worked too.

    Reply

  31. My Mac version of Dragon crashed after many years of use. So installed Parallels and Windows 10. I installed Dragon Professional on this. I crashed after a day or two; when I called for support, Dragon said they did not support Dragon on Parallels. They offered to return my payment, which I accepted. Does anyone know if Dragon will run successfully under Bootcamp. Maybe I could try again with Dragon Professional, it worked well until it totally crashed and would not load.

    Reply

  32. After reading this article, I installed Parallels, Windows, and Dragon onto my Mac. I had used Dragon back in 2014, and am in need of dictation software again. The problem is that I’ve only been able to figure out how to dictate into a dictation box in the Windows window. I can get it to transcribe into any of my Apple apps. Is this a real limitation? Or is there some way to dictate into the programs I want to use, such as Scrivener?

    Reply

    1. Unfortunately you won’t be able to dictate into programs on macOS using Dragon Dictate installed in Windows under Parallels. It will only only work with Windows programs so you could use the Windows version of Scrivener instead.

      Reply

  33. Thank you for your prompt response. So, do you think it’s worthwhile to spend the time and effort to correct it is always mistakes by hand or his mistakes by hand? I mean, all his mistakes.

    Reply

    1. It’s worthwhile if you’re going to rely it for dictation but you may find you spend more time correcting than dictating in the long run. Dictation will probably improve in future versions of macOS though.

      Reply

  34. Thank you for your very helpful article. I am the published author of several books. During the recent pandemic, I have been Writing more than usual and my fingers started to hurt. In Seoul and so I’ve been using the Apple dictation the built in Apple dictation feature on my MacBook Air, my iPhone, and my iPad in various applications. My big question this question is does this thing learn? And if so, how do I make it learn my fission Lee learn more efficiently and faster? I have the Viking pression vegan impression vague impression that it works better on my cell phone damn on MacBook. Sb is this because the microphone is better? Any advice you are others may have for me would be much appreciate it. I’m also dismayed to read in your article that dragon the dragon has discontinue serving the Mac. I wrote this using dictation with a minimum amount of editing. Thank you very much!

    Reply

    1. macOS dictation doesn’t “learn” to recognize your voice in the way Dragon Dictate does. However, as you correct it manually, it will learn how to recognize those particular words better in future.

      Reply

  35. If we had a government that actually cared about regular citizens this wouldn’t be a problem as Nuance’s patents would be lifted by Congress because (1) they have a monopoly on the software; and (2) they refuse to share a significant minority of users in the Apple and Linux, etc. communities. This isn’t rocket science. Nuance should be either compelled to serve Mac OS users or lose the protections given to them by the US Government. This situation is analogous to a Pharma company patenting a vaccine for Covid-19 but refusing to market it.

    Reply

  36. Hope this helps at least a few people. I use Dragon Dictate 6.0.8, the last version available before Nuance pulled the plug on us. I installed it on this Mac (late 20`9 with Catalina) from a Time Machine backup of my older Mac. Dragon works just fine here, better accuracy than Apple Dictation and Voice Control. I dictate a lot of long book notes into Word and Scrivener with no problem. I don’t use it to control the computer or transcribe text from another source.

    Reply

  37. I just purchased a 2020 MacBook Pro, OS Catalina and am trying to figure out how to access the built-in speech recognition system when I’m offline. In comparison to my old (now defunct circa 2010) MacBook Pro, it doesn’t appear that I have the offline option as detailed above. When I click the “on” button for dictation, I get a msg. stating what I dictate will be transmitted to Apple to be converted into text, as well as other info such as names of my contacts. I want the option of dictating when off-line and am also leery of sending Apple my names of my contacts. Any ideas?
    Also, is Dragon Professional compatible with Mac OS Catalina?

    Reply

  39. Aaaaand for the rest of us who’s Apple dictation simply does not work – the frustration is without bounds. I have tried EVERY possible site and absolutely no results.
    I have been using the build in Mac dictation for quite some time and I am happy with it – although I sometimes need to make a correction it is better than having to type up every single word.
    I am working on a publication with a deadline. Needless to say I am so unhappy about not getting dictation to work. I am currently searching for software to buy as I simply cannot continue like this.
    Very disappointed in Apple.

    Reply

  40. Yes John I agree with you about Apple. When apple started it was for artists, creators, and it offered a more secure, closed system free from all the tech problems that plagued windows. I was one of those artists that they counted on while they built their market share. I bought the 17 in laptop because I needed the real estate for my photoshop work. I am no longer their target market. They now cater to the masses so the 17 in can’t be special ordered or bought in any way. So, we see how apple treats those that supported them in the beginning as they built their name and market share. We aren’t their masses anymore. We are the artists and creators – still only the 5%, but probably the top 5%.

    Reply

  41. Bryan,

    I would really love to move to a better dictation system than my built-in Mac version and I hate the thought of installing Windows on my Mac just to get Dragon.

    So, tell me more about your experience running Dragon on Mojave; are you still happy with it? And, is it still possible to purchase the Dragon for Mac somewhere?

    Best,

    Daniel

    Reply

  42. A few days ago I decided to give up on High Sierra and Dragon for Mac because it was a pain to use. So I decided to upgrade to Mojave and rely on Macintosh dictation. Just for fun, I tried out Dragon and found that works much better on Mojave than it does on High Sierra.

    So far, I haven’t detected any major problem.

    Reply

  43. Anne-Louise, you’ve made a profound contribution to this discussion. I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s devastated my ability to write. I’ve been described by others as a truly exceptional writer, and one editor/publisher told me “Don’t let life get in the way!” (of my book writing).

    Life got in the way.

    RA makes every single keystroke painful.

    While RA might not be seen in the disability community as a truly disabling condition, I’ve discovered that it truly shuts down anything involved in my personal writing process.

    So: All I can really contribute is a “me too” reply, but I hope that software developers, MacHow and similar blogs and sites, will take notice and advocate for better dictation options for Mac users who can’t type.

    Reply

  44. I have Parallels, and installed Dragon on it, but cannot get it to recognize the microphone plugged into the Mac. I spoke with Parallels support, and they were unable/unwilling to help. They said it was a Dragon problem.

    Is there some video or web page that will guide me on how to get Dragon to work with Parallels? I am running Windows 10.

    Reply

  46. Yesterday, I used my computer (iMac) for the first time to dictate some material. The results were better than I had expected but not really completely satisfactory, so the thought of buying the Dragon version occurred to me. I had read about Dragon many years ago, so I presumed, perhaps unreasonably, that it would still be the best dictation software for my iMac. I had my finger on the Amazon purchase trigger, but then I decided t read the reviews. They were terrible. Not one of the Dragon models received even mediocre reviews. Now, I have my reservations about Amazon reviews, but I can’t disregard them, either. I was stuck. Buying a Dragon package seemed like a gamble with the odds against me, and I hadn’t decided what to do until I read your comments. I’ll certainly have to consider them. Installing a Windows’ product on my iMac instead of using a product designed for the Mac seemed ridiculous, but you’re the expert, and I’m not. I’m going to see what others have to say on the subject. That may seem overly cautious, but I am not a computer expert, so it is very possible that I might end-up blaming myself for problems caused by the software. Well, one thing is certain, I won’t be buying anything tonight.Thanks for improving my chances of success.

    Reply

  47. I will no doubt catch a lot of heat for this…but I believe that Apple has abandoned the idyllic original idea of the Mac being the computer created for “the rest of us” to give regular, every day, non-techie people, a computer that was friendly, simple to use… non-elitist. Apple should stop depending on companies like Nuance and Microsoft and a host of others who have interest in Mac users only so long as they are compliant with their wishes with no respect for us as significant users. Over the years, my first Mac was the Plus when it came off the line, I have seen Apple slowly drift away from its original tenets. Apple could easily develop great Dictation Software to help not just the ordinary at home user but also the handicapped and the professional. Maybe the focus should be diverted from continuing to build exotic new operating systems and to start agin to build user helpful and friendly computers and software for the “rest of us” who do not want to bow down to the world of Windows and its cohorts. God knows we spend enough on our Macs to get this done for us.

    Reply

  48. Nuance just discontinued the only available comprehensive voice dictation software for Mac, leaving disabled Mac users in the lurch.

    For over a decade, disabled computer users have relied the only 2 comprehensive voice dictation software programs available-: Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Windows, and Dragon professional for Mac.

    Nuance abruptly terminated and ended support for Dragon professional for Mac on October 18, 2018, leaving disabled Mac users in the lurch.

    Mac users who upgrade their operating systems risk losing being able to continue to use their voice dictation software, due to software incompatibilities.

    (Nuance warned Dragon for Mac users not to upgrade to more operating systems to Mojave, saying that it was not tested or supported.)

    Only 3 limited and unsatisfactory options at present:

    1) Not upgrading their Mac operating systems, in order to continue using Dragon for Mac. (However, this will not be an option when buying a new Mac, as it will not give the option of an older operating system).

    2) Buy loads of expensive new Windows software to run voice dictation on Mac ( approximately $570).

    3) Mac users abandoning Macs and switching over to Windows across the board.

    For those who do not rely on voice dictation due to a disability, be assured that the voice dictation capabilities that exist on a Mac computer at present are not remotely as comprehensive as a full-fledged voice dictation program. It’s analogous to rollerskating across the United States versus driving in a car.

    It seems important to get visibility about the issue before the public, Apple, potential software developers, and the disability community, in the hope of encouraging addressing the future void for disabled Mac users being able to continue using their Macs.

    It is sobering to realize that a commercial third-party software monopoly has the potential to completely turn a disabled person’s tech world upside down by discontinuing its product.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your thoughtful comment and you make a very good point about disabled users being left in the lurch by Dragon’s decision. Unfortunately, even if you install Windows on your Mac and then install Dragon Dictate, you still can’t control your Mac with it via voice. Dragon Dictate for Mac was by far the best tool for voice control and it’s a big loss for the disabled community that relied on it. In future versions of macOS, it would be nice to see Apple add more comprehensive voice controls so that you don’t have to resort to third party software in the first place.

      Reply

  49. I advise staying away from Dragon Dictate in any form. True, it works well but this is NOT a Mac oriented company. Support when I used the app was terrible, frequently rude and combative. Apple’s Dictation is very similar to Dragon, and I found it to be a viable asset for my Mac as it is 100% Mac supported!

    Reply

    1. I think Dragon simply didn’t think it was worth putting resources into supporting the Mac version, hence the poor customer support you experienced and the eventual decision to drop it. The problem is that it’s still the best dictation software on the market, particularly for professionals in the medical, legal and other fields. As mentioned in the article, even professional writer and Dragon Dictate expert Scott Baker uses a Mac but actually recommends installing Windows on your Mac and using the Windows version because it’s that good. As you say though, for general needs, macOS Dictate is a very good alternative nowadays.

      Reply

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