Listen Orb vs. Superwhisper
Superwhisper offers more platforms, offline models, meetings, files, and model choices. Listen Orb focuses on Mac push-to-talk, custom terms, and your own OpenAI key.
14-day trial · no card required · $69 launch price through August 31
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Listen Orb | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 launch price through August 31; $99 regular one-time price | $0 Free tier; Pro is $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 one time |
| Trial or free access | 14-day full trial; no card required | Free tier does not expire; new users receive 15 minutes with Pro features |
| Platforms | macOS | macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad |
| Account | No Listen Orb account | Offline mode can be used without an account; paid and cloud workflows use documented account and billing services |
| Offline transcription | No; OpenAI transcription requires internet | Yes; on-device models work without internet, with a fully local Mac configuration available |
| Transcription | Uses your OpenAI key; audio goes directly to OpenAI | Local models stay on-device; Superwhisper-hosted cloud requests use its proxy, while BYOK uses your provider account |
| API keys and usage | OpenAI key required; API usage billed separately | Pro includes hosted cloud models subject to fair-use limits; individual Pro users can optionally bring their own key |
| Vocabulary | Custom terms with multiple local spoken forms | Pro custom vocabulary hints and text replacements |
| Devices | Up to three Macs per license | Unlimited Mac and Windows computers plus the user’s personal iPhone and iPad |
| Broader workflows | Focused push-to-talk insertion | Meeting recording, audio/video file transcription, custom modes, and 100+ languages |
Who each product suits
Choose Listen Orb if
Choose Superwhisper if
Where Superwhisper does more
On-device speech models work without internet, and Mac users can configure local transcription plus local language-model processing.
One Pro license covers macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad, including an unlimited number of Mac and Windows computers.
Superwhisper documents meeting recording, audio and video file transcription, custom modes, and more than 100 languages.
Pro includes hosted cloud-model use subject to fair-use limits and also supports optional bring-your-own-key configuration for individuals.
Things to consider
Superwhisper-hosted cloud requests use its proxy. BYOK routes through the user's provider account, while fully local models stay on-device. Listen Orb audio goes directly to OpenAI.
Super Mode can use active-field text, selected text, clipboard text, and system details. Custom modes can choose context types, and history shows what was sent.
Models must be downloaded and benefit from suitable hardware; Superwhisper recommends cloud models for Intel Macs.
Windows is supported but official documentation lists several Mac features as unsupported or still in development.
Things to consider with Listen Orb
No offline transcription or local model.
No Windows, iPhone, or iPad app.
No meeting recording or audio/video file transcription.
OpenAI API key setup and separate API billing are required.
One license covers up to three Macs.
See it in action
Optional Contextual polish presents the same request for each destination.
What you say
“Hey Sam, quick update — actually make that a question — can you send the launch notes to McAllister by Thursday, and flag the API naming issue?”
Listen Orb writes
Sam — quick question: Can you send the launch notes to McAllister by Thursday and flag the API naming issue?
Privacy
Listen Orb uses your OpenAI API key and requires an internet connection. Listen Orb does not operate a speech service.
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 for what you use. Usage-based API billing can cost less than a fixed dictation subscription. Your actual cost depends on how much you dictate and the model you use. ChatGPT subscriptions do not include API usage.
One-time Mac license
Verification and independence
Listen Orb is not affiliated with or endorsed by Superwhisper. Pricing and features were checked August 25, 2026 and may change.
Sources · checked August 25, 2026
Try it in the apps you already use
Try every feature for 14 days. No card required.