FeatherweightVoiceInk vs Featherweight Dictation
An open-source Mac dictation app that runs speech models on your Mac.
The short answer. VoiceInk runs speech models on your own Mac and is open source, for $25 once. Featherweight Dictation makes the text in the cloud instead, so the app stays at 4.6 MB (VoiceInk takes 116 MB before its models) and also runs on Intel Macs. It costs $19 a month.
| Fact | Featherweight Dictation | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| On your Mac | 4.6 MB | 116 MB |
| Built on | Native | Native + models |
| Speech to text | In the cloud; audio and words never stored | On your Mac, or cloud services you choose |
| Start dictating | Hold fn, right Option or right Command; on Windows, Right Alt, Right Ctrl or Caps Lock | A shortcut you set: toggle or push-to-talk |
| Platforms | Mac (macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon and Intel) and Windows (10 and 11) | Mac with Apple silicon; an iPhone app sold separately |
| Price | $19 a month | $25 once for 1 Mac ($39 for 2, $49 for 3) |
| Free to try | 5 days or 3,000 words, no card | A 7-day trial; free to build from source |
| Made by | Featherweight (Mockello, India) | Prakash Joshi Pax (open source, GPL-3.0) |
Why people pick Featherweight Dictation
- No models to download, pick or keep up to date
- 4.6 MB on your Mac against 116 MB, before VoiceInk's models
- Runs on Intel Macs as well as Apple silicon
Where VoiceInk is ahead
- Open source (GPL-3.0)
- Works offline, with local models
- Pay once: $25 for one Mac
- Modes per app or website, and screen context
- File transcription
Choose it if you want dictation that runs on your Mac without the internet, open source, for a one-time price.
Switching from VoiceInk
- Quit VoiceInk, or give it a shortcut that doesn't clash.
- Download Featherweight Dictation and drag it into Applications.
- Open it, sign in with your email or Google, and allow the microphone and Accessibility.
- Hold fn and talk.
Questions
Is Featherweight Dictation a VoiceInk alternative?
Yes, if you'd rather not manage speech models: hold fn, talk, and the text lands cleaned up and laid out for the app. If you need offline dictation or open source, VoiceInk has both.
How much do VoiceInk and Featherweight Dictation cost?
VoiceInk is $25 once for one Mac (as listed on October 3, 2026). Featherweight Dictation is $19 a month for unlimited dictation.
Sources, checked October 3, 2026: VoiceInk · VoiceInk shortcuts · VoiceInk on GitHub. Names and trademarks belong to their owners. Something out of date? Write to hello@featherweightsoftware.com.
More comparisons
Try it next to VoiceInk.
Free for 5 days or 3,000 words, no card. Then $19 a month.
Download for Mac