Is there better dictation than Apple's on a Mac?

It depends on what you dictate. For short messages, Apple Dictation is free and built in. For long notes, specialist words or text that must stay on the computer, Loquen runs speech to text and AI cleanup on the Mac's chip, for $19 once.

Is Apple Dictation good enough for medical notes?

It handles everyday sentences and adds punctuation in supported languages. The custom vocabulary Apple describes belongs to Voice Control, which takes over from standard Dictation while it is on. Loquen ships twelve medical packs, 5,862 terms built around drug names.

Can I stop Apple keeping my recordings?

Yes. Apple stores and reviews a sample of audio and transcripts only if Improve Siri and Dictation is on. Turn it off in System Settings, Privacy & Security, Analytics & Improvements.

Does Loquen need the internet?

The initial approximately 2.2 GB model download needs the internet and carries no dictation. After setup, speech to text and cleanup run on the Mac; licence validation and update checks can use the network and carry no audio or text.

Alternatives / Apple Dictation

An Apple Dictation alternative for the Mac

Apple Dictation is free and often runs on your Mac, but Apple's own privacy page says that when it does not, what you dictate is sent to and processed on Apple's servers. Loquen is a $19 alternative that always does speech to text and AI cleanup on the Mac, adds medical vocabulary, and pastes clean text at your cursor.

Apple Dictation is good, built in and costs nothing, and for short messages it may be all you need. People look for something better when they dictate long notes, use specialist words, or need to know for certain where their words go. This page sets out what Apple says, and where each tool fits.

Does Apple Dictation send audio to Apple?

It depends on your Mac and language, and Apple tells you which. According to Apple's Siri, Dictation and Privacy page:

Your device shows in Keyboard settings whether your audio and transcripts are processed on the device.
If they are not, the things you dictate are sent to and processed on Apple's servers.
Dictated audio is not stored unless you opt in to Improve Siri and Dictation.
Your device may send other context to Apple, such as contact names, nicknames and relationships you have set up, and the names of apps installed on your device.

If you opt in to Improve Siri and Dictation, you agree to let Apple store and review a sample of your audio recordings and transcripts. You can turn it off in System Settings, Privacy & Security, Analytics & Improvements.

Loquen works differently. In Private mode, the default, speech to text and AI cleanup run on the Mac's own chip, and nothing you say (no audio, no text) leaves it. The initial approximately 2.2 GB model download carries no dictation. After setup, licence validation and update checks can use the network and carry no audio or text.

Apple Dictation and Loquen side by side

	Loquen	Apple Dictation
Price over a year	$19 once	Free, built into macOS
Where speech is processed	Always on the Mac's own chip. Cloud only if you opt into Enhanced mode, and then text only	On the device, or on Apple's servers; Keyboard settings show which
Works offline	Yes, on a plane included	Not stated in Apple's help pages
Cleanup	AI cleanup on the Mac: clean, punctuated text, with tone set per app	Inserts commas, periods and question marks in supported languages
Languages	28, detected from the sound, so you can switch mid-sentence	Varies by language and region; switch by clicking the language next to the cursor
Specialty vocabulary	Twelve medical packs, 5,862 terms, in the box	Voice Control has a custom vocabulary of up to 1,000 terms; standard Dictation is not available while Voice Control is on
Platforms	Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 15 or later	Built into macOS

Apple details from Apple's support and privacy pages, checked October 2026.

When Loquen is the better fit

You need every dictation to stay on the Mac, not most of them. With Loquen there is no server path to check.
Your words are specialist. Twelve medical packs ship in the box, built around drug names. Metoprolol no longer comes out as "metropolis", and "listen a pril" becomes lisinopril.
You want text that reads as written, not as spoken. Loquen's speech recognition and AI cleanup both run on the Mac.
You repeat yourself. Phrases paste a named block of text whole, untouched by the AI, when you say it anywhere in a sentence.
You share text that names people. Privacy Mode replaces common identifiers before pasting and marks each one for you to check. It is a tool, not a compliance programme; review every result.

When Apple Dictation is the better fit

You dictate short messages and want nothing to install or pay for.
You are happy with how Apple handles your data and Keyboard settings show your dictation is processed on the device.
You use Voice Control to run your Mac by voice; its custom vocabulary and commands go further than dictation alone.
Your Mac is an Intel model or runs an older macOS. Loquen needs an M1 or later and macOS 15.

How Loquen feels next to it

Apple lets you dictate any length without a timeout and stops after 30 seconds without speech, and you can set your own shortcut. Loquen uses one held key: hold Globe/fn (or right Option or right Command), talk, let go. Double-tap for hands-free; Esc cancels with nothing pasted. If nothing is focused, it copies the text and tells you.

Questions

Does Apple Dictation send audio to Apple?: Sometimes. Apple says your device shows in Keyboard settings whether your audio and transcripts are processed on the device; if not, what you dictate is sent to and processed on Apple's servers. Apple says dictated audio is not stored unless you opt in to Improve Siri and Dictation.
Is there better dictation than Apple's on a Mac?: It depends on what you dictate. For short messages, Apple Dictation is free and built in. For long notes, specialist words or text that must stay on the computer, Loquen runs speech to text and AI cleanup on the Mac's chip, for $19 once.
Is Apple Dictation good enough for medical notes?: It handles everyday sentences and adds punctuation in supported languages. The custom vocabulary Apple describes belongs to Voice Control, which takes over from standard Dictation while it is on. Loquen ships twelve medical packs, 5,862 terms built around drug names.
Can I stop Apple keeping my recordings?: Yes. Apple stores and reviews a sample of audio and transcripts only if Improve Siri and Dictation is on. Turn it off in System Settings, Privacy & Security, Analytics & Improvements.
Does Loquen need the internet?: The initial approximately 2.2 GB model download needs the internet and carries no dictation. After setup, speech to text and cleanup run on the Mac; licence validation and update checks can use the network and carry no audio or text.

Sources

Competitor details are from each company's own pages, checked October 2026. Prices are list prices, September 2026. Products change; check the source before you decide.

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