Superwhisper
Superwhisper vs Monologue
Both are dictation apps for Mac with on-device processing. They share a privacy-first philosophy, which is good. But they differ on platform support, developer workflows, and what you can actually do beyond basic transcription.
Side-by-side comparison
| Superwhisper | Monologue | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, iOS | Mac, iOS |
| Offline mode | Full offline support | Full offline support |
| Privacy | On-device, audio never leaves machine | On-device, no audio saved on servers |
| Languages | 100+ | 100+ with code-switching |
| AI modes | Super, Voice, Email, Message, custom | Multiple writing modes |
| Custom modes | Fully customizable with system prompts | Learns your writing style |
| Developer tools | Works with any IDE, system-wide | System-wide (no dev-specific workflows) |
| File transcription | Yes | Record and transcribe only |
| Enterprise | SSO, team billing | No enterprise features |
| Free tier | Free forever + 15 min Pro trial | 1,000 words free, then $100/yr |
Where they actually differ
Platform support
Superwhisper runs on macOS, Windows, and iOS right now. One license covers all your devices. If you switch between a Mac at home and a Windows machine at work, it just works.
Monologue is Mac and iOS only. If you need Windows, that's a dealbreaker.
Privacy approach
Both apps process speech on-device. Your audio stays local in both cases. This is a genuine shared strength. If privacy is your top concern, either app treats it seriously.
The difference is in scope. Superwhisper extends that privacy to more platforms, including Windows. Monologue keeps things local too, but only on Apple hardware for now.
Developer experience
Superwhisper is system-wide. It works in any app, including every IDE and terminal. Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, Xcode. You talk, it types wherever your cursor is.
Andrej Karpathy coined "vibe coding" while using Superwhisper with Cursor. He described it as barely touching the keyboard, just talking to his AI coding tools. Monologue also works system-wide, but doesn't have developer-specific workflows around this.
AI formatting and modes
Superwhisper has distinct modes for different contexts. Super Mode reads what's on your screen to shape the output. Email Mode formats for email. Message Mode keeps things casual. You can build your own modes with custom system prompts.
Monologue takes a different angle. It learns your writing style over time and auto-formats output to match. That's a genuinely interesting approach to the same problem, especially if you want output that sounds like you without configuring anything.
Where Monologue does well
Monologue's style-learning feature is worth calling out. Instead of you defining modes, it watches how you write and adapts. For people who don't want to configure anything, that's appealing. Their code-switching support for multilingual speakers is also solid.
What people say about Superwhisper
"Superwhisper delivers on the dream of an AI-native operating system. insanely fast and does just what you expect."
— Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel
"There's a new kind of coding I call 'vibe coding'... I just talk to Composer with @superwhisperapp so I barely even touch the keyboard."
— Andrej Karpathy, Founder of Eureka Labs
Frequently asked questions
Is Monologue available on Windows?
No. Monologue currently runs on Mac and iOS only. Superwhisper supports macOS, Windows 10/11, and iOS.
Do both apps work offline?
Yes. Both Superwhisper and Monologue process speech on-device using local models. Neither requires an internet connection for core transcription. This is one area where they genuinely overlap.
Which is better for developers?
Superwhisper works system-wide, so it pairs with any IDE or terminal. Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, Xcode, whatever you use. Andrej Karpathy coined 'vibe coding' while using Superwhisper with Cursor. Monologue doesn't have specific developer integrations.
Can I transcribe audio files with either app?
Superwhisper lets you drop in audio or video files and get a transcript back. Monologue has a record-and-transcribe feature for notes and meetings, but doesn't support importing existing audio files.
How does pricing compare?
Superwhisper has a free tier that never expires, with Pro starting at $8/month. Monologue gives you 1,000 free words, then Pro is $100/year. Superwhisper Pro also covers all your devices with a single license.
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