When macOS Dictation gives you a transcript, Silu gives you a draft.
Apple’s built-in dictation types what you said, word for word — every “um”, false start and repetition included, punctuation largely up to you. Silu hands back writing you can send.
| Silu | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free ~1,000 words/day · Pro $6/mo yearly | Free, built in |
| Output | Finished draft: filler removed, wording tidied, paragraphs | Literal transcript |
| Mixed Chinese–English speech | Tuned for it | — |
| Translate as you speak | Yes — ⌥T | — |
| Rewrite selected text by voice | Yes — ⌥R | — |
| Ask questions by voice | Yes — ⌥Space | — |
| Personal dictionary that learns your corrections | ✓ | — |
| Works offline | — | Yes, for supported languages |
Competitor details from their official websites, checked 2026-10-09. Prices exclude tax.
Where Silu is different
Writing, not transcription
Silu removes filler and repetition and keeps your wording — the result reads like you typed it carefully.
One shortcut, five tools
Dictate, switch writing style, translate, ask, and rewrite selected text, all from the keyboard.
Learns your names and jargon
Corrections you make are learned into a personal dictionary that syncs across your Macs.
Choose macOS Dictation if…
You need dictation fully offline, or you only dictate occasionally and a literal transcript is enough — the built-in tool is free and runs on-device.
Questions
Why is my Mac dictation so bad with filler words?
Built-in dictation is a transcriber: it writes down everything you say. Silu adds an editing step that removes filler, repetition and false starts while keeping your wording.
Does Silu replace Apple dictation?
It runs alongside it with its own shortcut. Use whichever fits; many people keep Apple’s for offline use.
Is Silu free?
About 1,000 words a day are free, every day, no card. Pro is $6 a month billed yearly.
Try it free — ~1,000 words every day.
No card required. macOS 14+, Apple silicon & Intel.