Listen Orb vs. MacWhisper
MacWhisper combines system-wide dictation with local models, meetings, files, and transcript tools. Listen Orb focuses on Fn push-to-talk, custom spoken forms, and local or direct OpenAI or xAI processing.
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required · $99 one time
See Listen Orb working
A short, recorded demonstration of Listen Orb inserting text using the Fn key for push-to-talk.
Watch Listen Orb turn the Fn key into push-to-talk dictation in most standard Mac text fields.
On-screen captions · Sound optional
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
For a developer task, dictate an instruction, select the passage to refine, and begin the next spoken instruction with “Orb”. You review the text; Listen Orb does not submit it or execute code. See the developer workflow and selected-text command guide.
The Mac license and provider billing are separate. Read the dated OpenAI transcription cost example and exclusions before estimating your own usage. xAI usage is billed by xAI and is not in that example.
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 one time; $99 regular one-time price | Free edition; Pro is a localized one-time license. The official site listed Pro at €64 before regional conversion and taxes during this check |
| Trial or free access | Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required | Free edition available; the Pro page describes a seven-day refund window rather than a time-limited trial |
| Platforms | Apple-silicon Macs; cloud on macOS 13+, Local on macOS 14+ | Direct-download MacWhisper is for macOS; the related Whisper Transcription app also has iPhone and iPad versions |
| Transcription | Local speech models, or OpenAI Realtime or xAI using your API key | Local Whisper and Parakeet models by default; optional cloud transcription providers |
| Internet | Local processing works offline after model downloads; cloud requires internet | Local transcription works on-device after model download; cloud and remote AI features need internet |
| Provider setup | No key for Local; cloud key stored in Keychain, with usage billed separately | Local transcription needs no provider key; optional remote transcription and AI services use provider keys or edition-specific hosted services |
| Dictation workflow | Focused Fn or F13 push-to-talk with optional per-app polish modes | Direct-download edition supports shortcut-based dictation plus custom and app-specific AI prompts |
| Vocabulary and corrections | Custom written terms with multiple local spoken forms, plus optional vocabulary packs | Global word or phrase replacement rules with case, word-boundary, JSON import, and export controls |
| Broader workflows | Live push-to-talk insertion; no meeting or file transcription | Files, meetings, speaker tools, transcript search, exports, integrations, watch folders, and CLI workflows |
| Hardware | Apple silicon; cloud on macOS 13+, Local on macOS 14+ | Current storefront lists macOS 14 or later, recommends M-series Macs, and says Intel performance can be degraded |
Who each product suits
Choose Listen Orb if
Choose MacWhisper if
Where MacWhisper does more
MacWhisper downloads Whisper or Parakeet models and runs default transcription on the Mac. Remote transcription is optional rather than required.
It handles files, microphones, system audio, and meeting capture, with speaker, search, editing, subtitle, and document-export tools.
The official product site lists 100 transcription languages, several local model families, and optional cloud providers.
Pro includes batch transcription, watch folders, webhooks, third-party workflow integrations, and a command-line interface.
Things to verify before choosing MacWhisper
System-wide dictation and several advanced capabilities belong to the direct-download MacWhisper edition. The App Store product is named Whisper Transcription and has different purchases and provider options.
Larger models need more memory. The current storefront recommends M-series Macs and warns that performance on older Intel Macs can be degraded.
Local transcription stays on-device. Cloud transcription sends audio to the selected provider, while remote AI prompts send transcript text and prompts to that provider.
The official site lists Pro in euros, while Gumroad can convert the checkout amount. Currency conversion, taxes, discounts, and storefront changes can alter the total.
Things to consider with Listen Orb
Local requires Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later, and downloaded models.
No meeting recording, file transcription, or transcript library.
OpenAI or xAI API-key setup and separate usage billing are required for cloud processing.
Choose local models or cloud dictation via OpenAI or xAI.
One license covers up to three Macs.
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 during ordinary app requests. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and provider path
Local processes audio and text on your Mac. For cloud, your OpenAI or xAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain, and audio goes directly to that provider. Listen Orb does not operate a speech backend.
Listen Orb records only while you dictate. Your OpenAI and xAI keys are stored in Keychain. Settings and vocabulary stay on your Mac.
Local processes audio and text on your Mac. With OpenAI or xAI, audio goes directly to that provider using your key. Preferred written terms may be sent as hints; Contextual polish may send a short nearby-text excerpt. Cloud usage is billed by that provider.
Finished text returns to Listen Orb and appears in the active field.
Current Listen Orb pricing
Simple ownership
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required. One license works on up to 3 Macs.
Pay once for the Mac app. There is no recurring Listen Orb fee.
Local processing has no API usage fees. For cloud, pay the active provider separately for API usage. OpenAI and xAI each bill the account that issued the key. ChatGPT subscriptions and SuperGrok are not API credit. Listen Orb does not resell usage. Understand API billing or see a real seven-day example.
One-time Mac license
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
One license for up to 3 Macs. No Listen Orb account or subscription. Local needs no API key. For cloud, your OpenAI or xAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain; that provider bills usage separately. Applicable tax is shown at checkout.
License and purchase details · Recover a license · Contact support
Verification and independence
Listen Orb is not affiliated with or endorsed by MacWhisper or Good Snooze. Pricing and features were checked September 4, 2026 and may change.
Sources · checked September 4, 2026
Try it in the apps you already use
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required.
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
Listen Orb vs. MacWhisper
MacWhisper combines system-wide dictation with local models, meetings, files, and transcript tools. Listen Orb focuses on Fn push-to-talk, custom spoken forms, and local or direct OpenAI or xAI processing.
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required · $99 one time
See Listen Orb working
A short, recorded demonstration of Listen Orb inserting text using the Fn key for push-to-talk.
Watch Listen Orb turn the Fn key into push-to-talk dictation in most standard Mac text fields.
On-screen captions · Sound optional
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
For a developer task, dictate an instruction, select the passage to refine, and begin the next spoken instruction with “Orb”. You review the text; Listen Orb does not submit it or execute code. See the developer workflow and selected-text command guide.
The Mac license and provider billing are separate. Read the dated OpenAI transcription cost example and exclusions before estimating your own usage. xAI usage is billed by xAI and is not in that example.
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 one time; $99 regular one-time price | Free edition; Pro is a localized one-time license. The official site listed Pro at €64 before regional conversion and taxes during this check |
| Trial or free access | Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required | Free edition available; the Pro page describes a seven-day refund window rather than a time-limited trial |
| Platforms | Apple-silicon Macs; cloud on macOS 13+, Local on macOS 14+ | Direct-download MacWhisper is for macOS; the related Whisper Transcription app also has iPhone and iPad versions |
| Transcription | Local speech models, or OpenAI Realtime or xAI using your API key | Local Whisper and Parakeet models by default; optional cloud transcription providers |
| Internet | Local processing works offline after model downloads; cloud requires internet | Local transcription works on-device after model download; cloud and remote AI features need internet |
| Provider setup | No key for Local; cloud key stored in Keychain, with usage billed separately | Local transcription needs no provider key; optional remote transcription and AI services use provider keys or edition-specific hosted services |
| Dictation workflow | Focused Fn or F13 push-to-talk with optional per-app polish modes | Direct-download edition supports shortcut-based dictation plus custom and app-specific AI prompts |
| Vocabulary and corrections | Custom written terms with multiple local spoken forms, plus optional vocabulary packs | Global word or phrase replacement rules with case, word-boundary, JSON import, and export controls |
| Broader workflows | Live push-to-talk insertion; no meeting or file transcription | Files, meetings, speaker tools, transcript search, exports, integrations, watch folders, and CLI workflows |
| Hardware | Apple silicon; cloud on macOS 13+, Local on macOS 14+ | Current storefront lists macOS 14 or later, recommends M-series Macs, and says Intel performance can be degraded |
Who each product suits
Choose Listen Orb if
Choose MacWhisper if
Where MacWhisper does more
MacWhisper downloads Whisper or Parakeet models and runs default transcription on the Mac. Remote transcription is optional rather than required.
It handles files, microphones, system audio, and meeting capture, with speaker, search, editing, subtitle, and document-export tools.
The official product site lists 100 transcription languages, several local model families, and optional cloud providers.
Pro includes batch transcription, watch folders, webhooks, third-party workflow integrations, and a command-line interface.
Things to verify before choosing MacWhisper
System-wide dictation and several advanced capabilities belong to the direct-download MacWhisper edition. The App Store product is named Whisper Transcription and has different purchases and provider options.
Larger models need more memory. The current storefront recommends M-series Macs and warns that performance on older Intel Macs can be degraded.
Local transcription stays on-device. Cloud transcription sends audio to the selected provider, while remote AI prompts send transcript text and prompts to that provider.
The official site lists Pro in euros, while Gumroad can convert the checkout amount. Currency conversion, taxes, discounts, and storefront changes can alter the total.
Things to consider with Listen Orb
Local requires Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later, and downloaded models.
No meeting recording, file transcription, or transcript library.
OpenAI or xAI API-key setup and separate usage billing are required for cloud processing.
Choose local models or cloud dictation via OpenAI or xAI.
One license covers up to three Macs.
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 during ordinary app requests. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and provider path
Local processes audio and text on your Mac. For cloud, your OpenAI or xAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain, and audio goes directly to that provider. Listen Orb does not operate a speech backend.
Listen Orb records only while you dictate. Your OpenAI and xAI keys are stored in Keychain. Settings and vocabulary stay on your Mac.
Local processes audio and text on your Mac. With OpenAI or xAI, audio goes directly to that provider using your key. Preferred written terms may be sent as hints; Contextual polish may send a short nearby-text excerpt. Cloud usage is billed by that provider.
Finished text returns to Listen Orb and appears in the active field.
Current Listen Orb pricing
Simple ownership
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required. One license works on up to 3 Macs.
Pay once for the Mac app. There is no recurring Listen Orb fee.
Local processing has no API usage fees. For cloud, pay the active provider separately for API usage. OpenAI and xAI each bill the account that issued the key. ChatGPT subscriptions and SuperGrok are not API credit. Listen Orb does not resell usage. Understand API billing or see a real seven-day example.
One-time Mac license
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.
One license for up to 3 Macs. No Listen Orb account or subscription. Local needs no API key. For cloud, your OpenAI or xAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain; that provider bills usage separately. Applicable tax is shown at checkout.
License and purchase details · Recover a license · Contact support
Verification and independence
Listen Orb is not affiliated with or endorsed by MacWhisper or Good Snooze. Pricing and features were checked September 4, 2026 and may change.
Sources · checked September 4, 2026
Try it in the apps you already use
Start with 3 days free. Every 500 words you successfully dictate adds 1 day, up to 7 days total. No card required.
Open this setup and download link on your Mac. Apple silicon · Cloud: macOS 13+ · Local: macOS 14+.