Comparison, as of Oct 16, 2026
iPhone Dictation Alternative: SpeechDone vs Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is built into iOS, has no separate price on Apple’s help page, and according to Apple runs on the device in many languages without an internet connection. SpeechDone fits better if you want a dictation keyboard of its own with a dictionary, text snippets, and a history in your iCloud, and it is still waitlist only.
SpeechDone and Apple Dictation side by side
| SpeechDoneWaitlist | Apple DictationBuilt into iOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Waitlist, not yet in the App Store | Part of iOSSource 1 |
| Price | Free: 1,500 words a week. Pro: $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. Subscription through the App Store | Part of the operating system, Apple’s help page names no separate priceSource 1 |
| Where speech is processed | Our server is hosted by Hetzner in Germany. Recognition runs only on EU servers (Deepgram and Mistral AI) | According to Apple, processed on the iPhone, in many languages without an internet connectionSource 1 |
| Recordings | Your recording is not stored on our server, it is only processed in memory during recognition | On the Mac, Apple asks when you turn it on whether you want to share audio recordings to improve the service. You can decline and change it laterSource 3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, and Mac (macOS 15 or later), with a keyboard of its own in every app on iPhone and iPad | Apple’s help pages describe iPhone and MacSource 1Source 3 |
| Limits while dictating | Past the weekly limit, SpeechDone keeps writing, just without cleanup | iPhone: dictation ends when you do not speak for 30 seconds. Mac: according to Apple, text of any length without a timeoutSource 1Source 3 |
As of Oct 16, 2026. Apple details are from Apple’s help pages (sources below). SpeechDone prices include VAT.
In short
If built-in dictation is enough for you, you need nothing else. It is already there, and Apple describes it for iPhone like this: “Dictation requests are processed on your device in many languages, no internet connection is required.” That is a real advantage that SpeechDone does not replace.
SpeechDone is for people who dictate a lot and want more than text from speech. You see the text while you speak, and when you stop, the finished text is in the field. The table only lists points that can be backed up for both sides.
What Apple Dictation does well
It costs nothing extra and is wherever the iPhone keyboard is. Apple also notes that text you dictate into a search field can be sent to the search engine provider. Which languages are available in which countries is listed on Apple’s availability page, so check there first that yours is included.
If you only dictate a short message now and then, it serves you well.
What SpeechDone does differently
SpeechDone is a dictation keyboard you use in every app on iPhone and iPad, with the Mac (hold fn and speak, macOS 15 or later), a widget, a Live Activity, and the share menu on top. Two speech recognizers check each other: Deepgram writes live, Mistral recognizes the recording again in sections, and that text is what gets inserted. If Mistral does not answer in time, the text comes from Deepgram.
You also get a dictionary for names and technical terms, text snippets that are the same on all your devices (with sign-in), and in the keyboard you can translate, ask questions, and rewrite selected text by voice (Pro). Your original stays in the history next to the cleaned-up version, and the history lives in your iCloud.
The trade-off: recognition runs through servers, not on your device alone. What happens with your data is spelled out in the privacy policy.
When SpeechDone fits better
You dictate every day
A dictionary, text snippets, and a history with the original and the cleaned-up version save you rework.
You want more than text
Translating, asking questions, and rewriting selected text (Pro) sit in the same keyboard.
You need a DPA
You sign the data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR with us in text form. There is also a confidentiality obligation under § 203 of the German Criminal Code and a public list of subprocessors.
When Apple Dictation fits better
You only dictate now and then
It is built in and, per Apple’s help page, has no extra cost.
You do not want a server in between
Apple describes processing on the device, with no internet connection, in many languages.
You need it today
SpeechDone is not in the App Store yet. You can use Apple Dictation right away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apple Dictation free?
It is part of the operating system, and Apple’s help page names no separate price. SpeechDone has a free tier with 1,500 words a week.
Does Apple Dictation work without internet?
According to Apple, dictation on iPhone is processed on the device in many languages, so no internet connection is required. The language list is on Apple’s availability page.
How long can I talk with Apple Dictation?
On iPhone, dictation ends after 30 seconds without speech. On the Mac, Apple states there is no timeout.
Is my recording stored by SpeechDone?
Not on our server. It is only processed in memory during recognition.
Where do I get SpeechDone?
SpeechDone is not in the App Store yet. Join the waitlist and we will email you once when it is.
Sources
- 1Apple: Dictate text on iPhone (iOS 26), retrieved October 16, 2026
- 2Apple: Text auf dem iPhone diktieren (German), retrieved October 16, 2026
- 3Apple: Use Dictation on your Mac, retrieved October 16, 2026