Vurb vs built-in dictation and other dictation apps

How Vurb differs from the dictation built into your operating system, and how its prices compare with other dictation apps.

Vurb and built-in dictation

macOS and Windows have dictation built in. If you use it now and then and it does what you need, you may not need Vurb. Features differ by version, so check what yours does.

Here's what Vurb does, so you can compare:

Hold-to-talk with one key
Hold a key, talk, let go, in any app. Double-tap for hands-free, Esc to cancel.
Local Whisper models
OpenAI Whisper via whisper.cpp, running on your computer. You choose the model: Fastest, Fast, Balanced or Best.
Custom vocabulary
Your names and terms, spelled your way.
History and stats
Search everything you've dictated; see words per minute, streaks and time saved.
Optional AI cleanup
Punctuation, filler removal and self-corrections, with your own Claude key.
Same app everywhere
macOS, Windows and Linux, with the same settings and behaviour.

How the prices compare

What other dictation apps list on their pricing pages, next to ours.

Vurb Other dictation apps
Free tier 2,000 words/week 1,500–2,000 words/week, or limited features
Pro, monthly $4.99/mo About $5–$15/mo
Pro, yearly $39/yr About $50–$144/yr
Teams $9/user/mo yearly, $12 monthly Up to $18–$23/user/mo
Enterprise Custom Custom
Refund window 30 days As short as 7 days
Where your audio goes Stays on your computer Often processed in the cloud

Ranges are based on the public pricing pages of leading dictation apps in October 2026. Some list prices in euros, shown here as approximate dollar amounts. Prices change, so check before you buy.

Try it on your own computer

Free to start. macOS, Windows and Linux.

Download Vurb See pricing