Listen Orb vs. Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is already on your Mac and can process speech on-device in supported configurations. Listen Orb adds Fn push-to-talk, custom spoken forms, and optional AI polish through your OpenAI API key.
14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through September 3
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 launch price through September 3; $99 regular one-time price | Included with macOS; no separate Dictation purchase or per-use charge |
| Getting started | 14-day full trial; OpenAI API key and separate API billing required | Turn it on in Keyboard settings; no third-party API key or separate dictation license |
| Platforms | Apple-silicon Macs on macOS 13 or later | Built into macOS |
| Control | Hold Fn or F13 for push-to-talk; double-tap for hands-free listening | Press the Microphone key or a configurable Dictation shortcut to start and stop |
| Processing path | Audio goes directly to OpenAI using your API key | Keyboard settings indicates whether general text Dictation is processed on-device or sent to Apple servers |
| Internet | Required for OpenAI transcription | Depends on the Mac, language, and configuration; Keyboard settings reports whether internet is required |
| Vocabulary | Custom written terms with multiple local spoken forms, plus optional vocabulary packs | Standard Dictation does not document a custom-vocabulary editor; the separate Voice Control feature supports custom terms in eligible languages |
| Text shaping | Standard or optional Contextual AI polish, with OpenAI usage billed separately | Auto-punctuation in supported languages plus spoken punctuation, emoji, and simple formatting commands |
| Account | No Listen Orb account; your OpenAI API account supplies the key and usage billing | No separate Dictation account or speech-provider signup |
Who each option suits
Choose Listen Orb if
Choose Apple Dictation if
Where Apple Dictation does more
Dictation is included with macOS, with no separate app license or metered speech bill.
On supported Macs and languages, Keyboard settings can show that general text Dictation is processed on-device and does not need an internet connection.
Apple lets you configure multiple Dictation languages and switch among them while dictating. Availability varies by language and region.
Apple's separate Voice Control accessibility feature adds Mac navigation, commands, and—in supported languages—custom vocabulary with recorded pronunciation.
Things to verify on your Mac
Apple tells you in Keyboard settings whether audio and transcripts for general text Dictation stay on-device. Otherwise, dictated content is sent to Apple for processing.
Dictation, on-device processing, auto-punctuation, and emoji support have different language and region lists.
Apple documents custom vocabulary under Voice Control, not the standard Keyboard Dictation workflow. Voice Control language support also varies.
Standard Apple Dictation starts and stops with a key press or shortcut. Listen Orb is centered on hold-to-talk, with an optional double-tap listening lock.
Things to consider with Listen Orb
It is a paid third-party Mac app, not part of macOS.
An OpenAI API key and separate provider billing are required.
Transcription does not work offline.
There is no iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Android app.
Current compatibility is Apple silicon and macOS 13 or later.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary entry
Spoken
“Send the revised launch notes to mick allister.”
Inserted
Send the revised launch notes to McAllister.
Made for technical terms
Teach a spoken form such as “post gress Q L” for PostgreSQL. Vocabulary replacements are designed to avoid recognized code, commands, URLs, email addresses, handles, identifiers, and paths.
Spoken forms are not sent to OpenAI. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and billing
Your OpenAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain. Listen Orb has no mandatory account and does not operate a speech backend or sell OpenAI usage.
Listen Orb records only while you dictate. Your OpenAI key is stored in Keychain. Settings and vocabulary stay on your Mac.
Audio goes directly to OpenAI using your key. Preferred terms may be sent as hints. Contextual polish may also send a short nearby-text excerpt. OpenAI bills your API project.
Finished text returns to Listen Orb and appears in the active field.
Current Listen Orb pricing
Simple ownership
Try every feature for 14 days with no card. One license works on up to 3 Macs.
Pay once for the Mac app. There is no recurring Listen Orb fee.
Pay OpenAI separately for API usage. ChatGPT subscriptions do not include API usage. Listen Orb does not resell it. Understand API billing.
One-time Mac license
Verification and independence
Listen Orb is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple. Features and processing behavior were checked August 31, 2026 and may vary by Mac, language, region, and macOS version.
Try it in the apps you already use
Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.
Listen Orb vs. Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is already on your Mac and can process speech on-device in supported configurations. Listen Orb adds Fn push-to-talk, custom spoken forms, and optional AI polish through your OpenAI API key.
14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through September 3
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 launch price through September 3; $99 regular one-time price | Included with macOS; no separate Dictation purchase or per-use charge |
| Getting started | 14-day full trial; OpenAI API key and separate API billing required | Turn it on in Keyboard settings; no third-party API key or separate dictation license |
| Platforms | Apple-silicon Macs on macOS 13 or later | Built into macOS |
| Control | Hold Fn or F13 for push-to-talk; double-tap for hands-free listening | Press the Microphone key or a configurable Dictation shortcut to start and stop |
| Processing path | Audio goes directly to OpenAI using your API key | Keyboard settings indicates whether general text Dictation is processed on-device or sent to Apple servers |
| Internet | Required for OpenAI transcription | Depends on the Mac, language, and configuration; Keyboard settings reports whether internet is required |
| Vocabulary | Custom written terms with multiple local spoken forms, plus optional vocabulary packs | Standard Dictation does not document a custom-vocabulary editor; the separate Voice Control feature supports custom terms in eligible languages |
| Text shaping | Standard or optional Contextual AI polish, with OpenAI usage billed separately | Auto-punctuation in supported languages plus spoken punctuation, emoji, and simple formatting commands |
| Account | No Listen Orb account; your OpenAI API account supplies the key and usage billing | No separate Dictation account or speech-provider signup |
Who each option suits
Choose Listen Orb if
Choose Apple Dictation if
Where Apple Dictation does more
Dictation is included with macOS, with no separate app license or metered speech bill.
On supported Macs and languages, Keyboard settings can show that general text Dictation is processed on-device and does not need an internet connection.
Apple lets you configure multiple Dictation languages and switch among them while dictating. Availability varies by language and region.
Apple's separate Voice Control accessibility feature adds Mac navigation, commands, and—in supported languages—custom vocabulary with recorded pronunciation.
Things to verify on your Mac
Apple tells you in Keyboard settings whether audio and transcripts for general text Dictation stay on-device. Otherwise, dictated content is sent to Apple for processing.
Dictation, on-device processing, auto-punctuation, and emoji support have different language and region lists.
Apple documents custom vocabulary under Voice Control, not the standard Keyboard Dictation workflow. Voice Control language support also varies.
Standard Apple Dictation starts and stops with a key press or shortcut. Listen Orb is centered on hold-to-talk, with an optional double-tap listening lock.
Things to consider with Listen Orb
It is a paid third-party Mac app, not part of macOS.
An OpenAI API key and separate provider billing are required.
Transcription does not work offline.
There is no iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Android app.
Current compatibility is Apple silicon and macOS 13 or later.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary entry
Spoken
“Send the revised launch notes to mick allister.”
Inserted
Send the revised launch notes to McAllister.
Made for technical terms
Teach a spoken form such as “post gress Q L” for PostgreSQL. Vocabulary replacements are designed to avoid recognized code, commands, URLs, email addresses, handles, identifiers, and paths.
Spoken forms are not sent to OpenAI. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and billing
Your OpenAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain. Listen Orb has no mandatory account and does not operate a speech backend or sell OpenAI usage.
Listen Orb records only while you dictate. Your OpenAI key is stored in Keychain. Settings and vocabulary stay on your Mac.
Audio goes directly to OpenAI using your key. Preferred terms may be sent as hints. Contextual polish may also send a short nearby-text excerpt. OpenAI bills your API project.
Finished text returns to Listen Orb and appears in the active field.
Current Listen Orb pricing
Simple ownership
Try every feature for 14 days with no card. One license works on up to 3 Macs.
Pay once for the Mac app. There is no recurring Listen Orb fee.
Pay OpenAI separately for API usage. ChatGPT subscriptions do not include API usage. Listen Orb does not resell it. Understand API billing.
One-time Mac license
Verification and independence
Listen Orb is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple. Features and processing behavior were checked August 31, 2026 and may vary by Mac, language, region, and macOS version.
Try it in the apps you already use
Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.