Looking for a macOS Dictation alternative? Retext adds on-device voice dictation to a native Mac text expander.
Retext is a good macOS Dictation alternative if you want transcription on your Mac by default, push-to-talk on right Option, and your snippets in the same app.
macOS Dictation is free, already on your Mac, and fine for short messages. Retext uses Apple's on-device speech engine too, and adds push-to-talk on right Option, plus, in beta, a hands-free mode that pauses in password fields, polish modes per app, and "insert snippet" by voice.
Local by default: your audio is transcribed on your Mac
No audio or transcripts are sent to Retext's server
Polish (beta) runs on your Mac with Apple Intelligence, never in the cloud
Hands-free mode (beta) pauses itself in password fields and password managers
Your text expander and your dictation in one app
| Feature | Retext | macOS Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Dictation | ||
| AI Cleanup & Rewriting | Beta | |
| Audio File Transcription | Not available | Not available |
| Privacy & Local Storage | ||
| Snippet Expansion | Not available | |
| Team Sharing | Not available | |
| Cross-Platform |
| Product | Pricing Model | Price | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retext | Freemium | Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page. | Dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets |
| macOS Dictation | Free | Free, built into macOS | Included with macOS |
Migration difficulty: easy
There's nothing to move. If you use macOS text replacements, add them to Retext as snippets so they work as typed triggers and by voice (voice commands are in beta).
Retext adds on-device voice dictation to a native Mac text expander. macOS Dictation is free, already on your Mac, and fine for short messages. Retext uses Apple's on-device speech engine too, and adds push-to-talk on right Option, plus, in beta, a hands-free mode that pauses in password fields, polish modes per app, and "insert snippet" by voice.
Stops listening after 30 seconds of silence; The new on-device cleanup needs a newer Mac and English; Not all dictation is handled on-device.
Yes. macOS Dictation's free option: included with macOS. Paid: Free, built into macOS.
Yes. Retext's free plan includes dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets. Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page.
macOS Dictation is the better choice for occasional dictation with nothing to install, short messages and notes and trying dictation before choosing an app.
There's nothing to move. If you use macOS text replacements, add them to Retext as snippets so they work as typed triggers and by voice (voice commands are in beta).
Download Retext, turn on Voice Dictation in Settings, and hold right Option to talk.
Sources
macOS Dictation, checked October 28, 2026: Apple: Use Dictation on Mac · Apple: Commands for dictating text · Apple: Siri and Dictation privacy
Prices and features change. Check each vendor's site before you buy.