A Dragon alternative at a fifth of the price
Dragon set the standard for dictation for decades. Today it is a $699 Windows-only license, and the Mac version is gone. VoiceInk gives you modern AI dictation in any app, on Windows and Mac, for a fraction of that.
| VoiceInk | Dragon Professional 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, $69 a year, or $139 once | About $699 once |
| Windows | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows 10 and 11 |
| Mac | Yes | No, discontinued in 2018 |
| Setup | Install, pick a shortcut, talk | Install and voice training |
| Works offline | Yes, offline mode built in | Yes |
| Custom vocabulary | Yes | Yes |
| Voice commands to control the PC | No, dictation only | Yes |
Prices checked November 2026. Check the vendor's site for current pricing.
What most people actually need
Most Dragon users want one thing: say it, see it typed. Email, reports, notes, Slack. VoiceInk does exactly that in any app where your cursor sits, with a single shortcut.
Modern speech models like Whisper and Deepgram handle accents and fast speech without hours of voice training. You install it and start talking.
Where Dragon still wins
If you control your whole computer by voice, opening menus and clicking buttons with commands, Dragon is built for that and VoiceInk is not. VoiceInk is a dictation tool, not a hands-free computer control system.
The math
Dragon Professional is about $699. VoiceInk Lifetime is $139, and it runs on your Mac too. Or start free with 15 live dictations a day and decide later.
Questions
Is there a Dragon for Mac?
No. Nuance discontinued Dragon for Mac in 2018. VoiceInk runs on macOS as well as Windows.
Is VoiceInk as accurate as Dragon?
For everyday dictation it holds up well. Live dictation uses Deepgram Nova, offline mode uses Whisper, and neither needs voice training. You can add names and technical terms to a custom vocabulary.
Can VoiceInk control my computer by voice like Dragon?
No. VoiceInk turns speech into text in any app. It does not replace Dragon voice commands for clicking and navigating.
How much does VoiceInk cost?
Free with 15 live dictations a day. Pro is $9 a month, $69 a year, or $139 once for life.
Don't type. Speak.
Free forever with 15 live dictations a day. Pro is $69 a year, or $139 once for life.
Download VoiceInk free