Retext

Retext vs Aqua Voice: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and Aqua Voice side-by-side. See which dictation app is the best fit for your workflow.

TL;DR

Choose Retext if you want on-device transcription by default, push-to-talk on one key, and snippets and dictation in one app.

Choose Aqua Voice if you need polished, rewritten dictation across all your devices.

The Short Version

Aqua's cloud model and rewriting go further than Retext's polish (beta), and it runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Retext transcribes on your Mac with Apple's speech engine, and its polish runs on-device and never rewrites what you said.

Quick Comparison

Retext

Native Mac text expander with built-in voice dictation. Hold right Option, speak, and your words land at the cursor, polished on your Mac (beta) if you like.

Pricing:

Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page.

Free tier: Dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • Dictation that stays on your Mac
  • • People who already use snippets
  • • Quick replies and notes in any app

Aqua Voice

Cloud dictation on its own Avalon speech model that types into any app on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android

Pricing:

Pro $10/month billed yearly or $12 monthly; Max $19/month yearly or $24 monthly; Business $19/seat/month yearly or $24 monthly

Free tier: 1,000 words to start, no credit card

Runs on: Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android

Best for:

  • • Polished, rewritten dictation across all your devices
  • • Developers who want an API and CLI
  • • Teams that need shared dictionaries and SSO
  • • Technical terms and names the model should get right

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextAqua Voice
Voice Dictation
AI Cleanup & Rewriting
Beta
Audio File TranscriptionNot available
Privacy & Local Storage
Snippet Expansion
Team Sharing
Cross-Platform

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelPriceFree Tier
RetextFreemiumDictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page.
Dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets
Aqua VoiceFreemiumPro $10/month billed yearly or $12 monthly; Max $19/month yearly or $24 monthly; Business $19/seat/month yearly or $24 monthly
1,000 words to start, no credit card

Pros and Cons

Retext

Strengths

  • Transcribes on your Mac with Apple's speech engine (macOS 26, Apple silicon)
  • Hold right Option to talk, or double-tap it (or right Shift, set in Settings) to go hands-free (beta)
  • Optional on-device polish in five modes, set per app (beta)
  • Voice commands (beta), including "insert snippet" by name
  • Snippets and dictation in one native Mac app

Weaknesses

  • Local engine needs macOS 26 and Apple silicon
  • Polish tidies up what you said; it won't rewrite or add to it
  • Polish needs Apple Intelligence
  • Dictation is on the Mac only

Aqua Voice

Strengths

  • Its own speech model, Avalon, with published accuracy results
  • Writing style rules and custom instructions shape the output
  • Works on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android
  • Personal dictionary, and shared dictionaries on Business
  • Business plan with SSO, usage reports and zero data retention

Weaknesses

  • Transcription runs in the cloud
  • Free plan ends after 1,000 words
  • Voice commands and Realtime Mode need the Max plan
  • Zero data retention is a Business plan feature
  • File transcription goes through the CLI or API, billed separately

When to Choose Each

Choose Retext if you:

  • ✓Want transcription on your Mac by default
  • ✓Want push-to-talk on right Option
  • ✓Want hands-free dictation (beta) that pauses for passwords and calls
  • ✓Already rely on snippets

Choose Aqua Voice if you:

  • •Need polished, rewritten dictation across all your devices
  • •Need developers who want an API and CLI
  • •Need teams that need shared dictionaries and SSO
  • •Need technical terms and names the model should get right

Switching from Aqua Voice to Retext

Migration difficulty:easy

We couldn't find a way to export Aqua's dictionary or replacements. Add the names and terms you rely on to Retext as snippets, and recreate any replacements as snippets with triggers.

How It Works in Retext

Voice Dictation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Retext and Aqua Voice?

Aqua's cloud model and rewriting go further than Retext's polish (beta), and it runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Retext transcribes on your Mac with Apple's speech engine, and its polish runs on-device and never rewrites what you said.

Is Aqua Voice free?

Yes. Aqua Voice's free option: 1,000 words to start, no credit card. Paid: Pro $10/month billed yearly or $12 monthly; Max $19/month yearly or $24 monthly; Business $19/seat/month yearly or $24 monthly.

Is Retext free?

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.

What does Aqua Voice run on?

Aqua Voice runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Retext runs on Mac.

Should I choose Aqua Voice instead of Retext?

Aqua Voice is the better fit for polished, rewritten dictation across all your devices, developers who want an API and CLI and teams that need shared dictionaries and SSO. Choose Retext if you want transcription on your Mac by default.

Can I switch from Aqua Voice to Retext?

We couldn't find a way to export Aqua's dictionary or replacements. Add the names and terms you rely on to Retext as snippets, and recreate any replacements as snippets with triggers.

Ready to switch from Aqua Voice?

Download Retext, turn on Voice Dictation in Settings, and hold right Option to talk.

Download for MacView Pricing

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Sources

Aqua Voice, checked October 28, 2026: Aqua Voice pricing · Aqua Voice comparison page · Aqua Voice privacy policy · Aqua API

Prices and features change. Check each vendor's site before you buy.