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 a direct OpenAI path.
14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through September 3
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 launch price through September 3; $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 | 14-day full trial; 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 on macOS 13 or later | Direct-download MacWhisper is for macOS; the related Whisper Transcription app also has iPhone and iPad versions |
| Transcription | OpenAI Realtime transcription using your API key | Local Whisper and Parakeet models by default; optional cloud transcription providers |
| Internet | Required for transcription | Local transcription works on-device after model download; cloud and remote AI features need internet |
| Provider setup | OpenAI key required, stored in Keychain; OpenAI 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; macOS 13 or later | 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 storefront documents more than 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
No offline or on-device transcription model.
No meeting recording, file transcription, or transcript library.
OpenAI API-key setup and separate usage billing are required.
Only OpenAI is supported for transcription and optional polish.
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 to OpenAI. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and provider path
Your OpenAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain, and active dictation audio goes directly to OpenAI. Listen Orb does not operate a speech backend.
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 MacWhisper or Good Snooze. Pricing and features were checked August 31, 2026 and may change.
Sources · checked August 31, 2026
Try it in the apps you already use
Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.
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 a direct OpenAI path.
14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through September 3
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 launch price through September 3; $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 | 14-day full trial; 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 on macOS 13 or later | Direct-download MacWhisper is for macOS; the related Whisper Transcription app also has iPhone and iPad versions |
| Transcription | OpenAI Realtime transcription using your API key | Local Whisper and Parakeet models by default; optional cloud transcription providers |
| Internet | Required for transcription | Local transcription works on-device after model download; cloud and remote AI features need internet |
| Provider setup | OpenAI key required, stored in Keychain; OpenAI 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; macOS 13 or later | 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 storefront documents more than 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
No offline or on-device transcription model.
No meeting recording, file transcription, or transcript library.
OpenAI API-key setup and separate usage billing are required.
Only OpenAI is supported for transcription and optional polish.
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 to OpenAI. Vocabulary exports include them. Preferred terms may be sent as transcription hints.
Privacy and provider path
Your OpenAI API key is stored in macOS Keychain, and active dictation audio goes directly to OpenAI. Listen Orb does not operate a speech backend.
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 MacWhisper or Good Snooze. Pricing and features were checked August 31, 2026 and may change.
Sources · checked August 31, 2026
Try it in the apps you already use
Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.