Compare / MacWhisper

Claude Whisper vs MacWhisper

MacWhisper is a Mac transcription app that runs Whisper models on your computer, for files, meetings and system-wide dictation. Claude Whisper is a free, open-source dictation app for macOS and Windows that uses Claude Code’s voice dictation instead of a local model.

Download for macOS Download for Windows

Written by the developer of Claude Whisper. Facts about MacWhisper come from its own pages, read in November 2026; every one is listed under Sources.

Quick verdict

On-device transcription workbench, or light dictation on Claude Code

MacWhisper is the better tool if you want transcription that stays on your Mac, or if you also transcribe recordings, meetings and videos. Claude Whisper is narrower: just hold-to-talk dictation into any app, on Mac and Windows, running on the Claude account you already use for Claude Code.

Pick Claude Whisper if

You only need dictation, not file or meeting transcription.
You already use Claude Code and want no extra purchase.
You also want it on Windows.
You want AI cleanup without setting up your own AI provider key.

Pick MacWhisper if

You want transcription on your Mac, offline.
You transcribe files, podcasts, YouTube or meetings.
You prefer a one-time purchase and no account.
You want subtitles (.srt, .vtt) or batch transcription.

Side by side

Claude Whisper and MacWhisper compared

	Claude Whisper	MacWhisper
Price	Free app, MIT licensed. Runs on the Claude account you already use for Claude Code: no extra subscription, no API key	Free version; Pro €64 one time on macwhisper.com (€65 on Gumroad), with lifetime updates; volume licences
Platforms	macOS 14 Sonoma or later (Apple silicon or Intel); Windows 10/11 (x64 and ARM64), first version	macOS 14 or later, M-series Macs (also works on Intel). An iPhone and iPad version focuses on files and voice memos. No Windows
Where speech is processed	Claude Code’s built-in voice dictation, signed in as you; your speech goes to Anthropic through Claude Code. The app’s only connections of its own are to GitHub, to check for updates when you ask	On your Mac by default (Whisper, WhisperKit; Parakeet and more on Pro). Optional cloud services with your own API key on Pro
Works offline	No: transcription is done by Claude Code’s voice dictation	Yes, with local models
System-wide dictation	Yes: the whole point of the app	Yes in the free version; “high quality dictation” on Pro. Only in the direct (Gumroad) build, not the App Store app
AI cleanup	Improve (macOS only, optional): removes fillers and self-corrections, fixes punctuation and the spelling of product names and technical terms. About a second extra. Not on Windows yet	Removes ums and other fillers; grammar improvement, AI prompts and per-app prompts on Pro, with your own AI provider (or local Ollama / LM Studio)
Transcribing files and meetings	No	Yes: files, lectures, podcasts, YouTube and meetings without a bot; .srt / .vtt / .txt export
Languages	Those Claude Code’s voice dictation supports; pick one in Settings	100
Hardware	Nothing runs locally; Claude Code does the transcription	More than 8 GB RAM recommended for the Medium and Large models; older Intel Macs can be slow
Account	A Claude account, signed in to Claude Code, with voice dictation working	None described; Pro unlocks with a licence key
Open source	Yes, MIT	No (built on whisper.cpp)

Prices as of November 2026, in the currency the vendor shows. Claude Whisper needs Claude Code installed and signed in to a Claude account.

Price

What each one costs

Claude Whisper

Free and MIT licensed, with no tiers. It runs on the Claude account you are already signed in to Claude Code with, and Improve uses your Claude subscription. You do need that account.

MacWhisper (as of November 2026)

Free: “Free forever”, including transcription and system-wide dictation.
Pro: €64 one time on macwhisper.com, €65 on the Gumroad checkout; lifetime updates, no subscription.
Volume: 5 licences €269, 10 licences €490, 20 licences €899, 50 licences €2,199.
25% off for journalists, students and non-profits by email; 7-day refund.

Privacy

On your Mac, or through Claude Code

Claude Whisper

Your speech is transcribed by Claude Code under your Claude account, so it goes to Anthropic. Apart from update checks on GitHub when you ask, the app itself makes no network connections, and it keeps the last 30 dictations on your computer. It cannot work offline.

MacWhisper

With the default local models, MacWhisper says no audio or text is sent to external servers; it may send anonymous licensing analytics. If you turn on cloud transcription or AI services, your data goes to the provider you chose, under your own API key.

Platforms

Mac only, or Mac and Windows

MacWhisper runs on macOS 14 or later, built for M-series Macs and also working on Intel. An iPhone and iPad version on the App Store focuses on transcribing files and voice memos. There is no Windows or Android version. The App Store app “Whisper Transcription” lacks system-wide dictation.

Claude Whisper runs on macOS 14 or later and Windows 10/11 (x64 and ARM64); the Windows app is a first version without Improve. There are no phone apps.

Features

A transcription suite vs a dictation key

Claude Whisper

Hold a key, speak, let go: the text is pasted at your cursor in any app.
Improve on macOS removes fillers and self-corrections with Claude, no API key needed.
Hands-free lock, Esc to cancel, History of 30 dictations.

MacWhisper

Transcribe files, podcasts, YouTube and meetings; export subtitles.
Speaker recognition, batch, watched folders and a CLI on Pro.
Choice of local models, plus cloud services with your own keys.
A Spotlight-style “Global” window for transcribing and pasting.

Claude Whisper’s limits, plainly

It needs Claude Code installed and signed in to a Claude account, with /voice working. If you do not use Claude Code, it is not for you.
Your speech goes to Anthropic through Claude Code, under your account. It is not an offline or on-device tool.
Desktop only: macOS 14 or later and Windows 10/11. No iPhone or Android app.
The Windows app is a first version: no Improve, no capsule position and no Faster start yet.
The Windows build is not signed yet, so SmartScreen warns on the first launch.
It is unofficial: not made by, affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.

Fair is fair

When MacWhisper is the better choice

You want dictation that works offline and keeps audio on your Mac.
You also transcribe recordings, meetings, podcasts or YouTube videos, or need subtitles.
You prefer to pay once, with no account and no subscription.
You want to choose your model, or bring your own AI provider, including a local one.
You don’t use Claude Code.

FAQ

Questions about Claude Whisper and MacWhisper

Which is more private?

MacWhisper with its local models, which keep audio and text on your Mac. Claude Whisper always sends your speech to Anthropic through Claude Code.

Do I need a fast Mac for Claude Whisper?

No local model runs, since Claude Code does the transcription, so there is no RAM recommendation like MacWhisper’s for its larger models. It needs macOS 14 or later.

Does MacWhisper’s App Store version dictate?

No. Its developer says system-wide dictation is only in the direct (Gumroad) build; the App Store app “Whisper Transcription” lacks it.

Is there a Windows version of either?

Claude Whisper has a first Windows version for Windows 10/11. MacWhisper is Mac only, with an iPhone and iPad app for files.

Is Claude Whisper made by Anthropic?

No. It is an unofficial, independent project that works with Claude Code. It is not made by, affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.

Try Claude Whisper

Free and open source. If Claude Code already works on your computer, setup takes a couple of minutes.

Download for macOS Download for Windows

More comparisons

Sources

Competitor pages were read on 10 November 2026. Prices are as shown there that day.

Claude Whisper README: https://github.com/viachm/claude-whisper#readme
Claude Whisper guide: https://github.com/viachm/claude-whisper/blob/main/docs/GUIDE.md
MacWhisper homepage, pricing and FAQ: https://www.macwhisper.com/
MacWhisper on Gumroad: https://goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l/macwhisper
How to use the dictation feature: https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/14-how-to-use-the-dictation-feature
MacWhisper vs Whisper Transcription: https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/40-macwhisper-whisper-transcription-difference
Dictation not working in specific apps: https://docs.macwhisper.com/article/44-dictation-not-working-in-specific-apps
Privacy policy: https://www.macwhisper.com/legal/privacy-policy