MacParakeet vs MacWhisper: Which Mac Transcription App Is Right for You?
An honest comparison of MacParakeet ($49) and MacWhisper ($30). Different strengths, different prices, same goal: transcribing audio on your Mac.
MacWhisper is an established Mac transcription app with a strong reputation. So why does MacParakeet exist, and which one should you buy?
The Price Difference
Let’s address this upfront: MacWhisper Pro costs $30. MacParakeet costs $49. MacWhisper is cheaper.
If price is your primary concern, MacWhisper is the better deal for file transcription. But the $19 difference buys you features MacWhisper doesn’t have — specifically system-wide dictation. MacParakeet also includes a free tier (15 minutes per day) so you can try everything before buying.
What MacWhisper Does Well
MacWhisper is a solid file transcription app. It supports over 100 languages through the Whisper model, handles batch processing, and exports to multiple formats including SRT subtitles. It has years of refinement and a proven track record.
MacWhisper has also added Parakeet support as an option alongside Whisper, so you can get fast transcription speeds when working in English.
What MacParakeet Adds
MacParakeet does two things that MacWhisper doesn’t:
System-Wide Dictation
Press Fn anywhere on your Mac — Slack, Gmail, VS Code, Notes — and speak. Text appears at your cursor. MacWhisper is a file transcription tool only. MacParakeet replaces Apple’s built-in dictation entirely.
Parakeet-First Architecture
MacParakeet was built around NVIDIA’s Parakeet TDT model from day one. The audio pipeline, text processing, and UI are all designed for Parakeet’s 300x realtime speed and under 7% word error rate. MacWhisper added Parakeet later as one option among several. In practice, this means MacParakeet’s workflow is optimized end-to-end for Parakeet’s strengths.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MacParakeet | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 once | $30 once |
| Free tier | 15 min/day | No |
| System dictation | Yes | No |
| File transcription | Yes | Yes |
| STT model | Parakeet TDT | Whisper + Parakeet |
| Speed (English) | 300x realtime | 300x (Parakeet mode) |
| Accuracy | <7% WER | Varies by model |
| Languages | English | 100+ |
| Export formats | TXT (more planned) | TXT, SRT, VTT, DOCX |
| Batch processing | Planned | Yes |
| Local processing | 100% | 100% |
| Account required | No | No |
Who Should Choose MacWhisper
- You need multi-language transcription (MacWhisper supports 100+ languages)
- You only need file transcription, not system dictation
- You want established software with years of updates
- You want to spend less ($30 vs $49)
- You need batch processing and subtitle export today
Who Should Choose MacParakeet
- You want system-wide dictation — press a key and speak into any app
- You want a UI built specifically around Parakeet’s speed
- You want a simpler, more focused tool
- You’re an English speaker who values speed over language breadth
- You want both dictation and transcription in one app
The Bottom Line
MacWhisper is a great transcription app at a great price. MacParakeet costs more because it does more — specifically, system-wide dictation that works in every app on your Mac. If you only transcribe files, MacWhisper at $30 is hard to beat. If you dictate regularly, the extra $19 for MacParakeet pays for itself quickly.
Both apps process everything locally on your Mac. Both are one-time purchases. Both respect your privacy. You can’t go wrong with either one.