Volna and Apple Dictation side by side
| Volna | Apple Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your voice is recognized | Always on your Mac; works offline once the speech model is downloaded | Keyboard settings show whether your dictation is processed on your device and not sent to Siri servers |
| How you start | Tap the right ⌘, or ⌥Space | The Microphone key if your keyboard has one, a shortcut you choose (pressing fn twice is one of the options), or Edit › Start Dictation |
| Your own vocabulary | Yes: the names, tools and terms of your work | Not part of Dictation's settings |
| Languages | English, Portuguese, Spanish and nearly a hundred more; English terms inside a sentence in another language are fine | You choose one or more languages; "not available in all languages or regions, and features may vary" |
| Which Macs | Apple Silicon, macOS 26 or later | Built into macOS |
| Price | Free | Free |
Apple Dictation's details are from Apple's Mac User Guide (Use Dictation on your Mac and Keyboard settings, support.apple.com), checked October 27, 2026. macOS changes from version to version; check there for yours. Apple, Mac and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Volna is not affiliated with Apple.
When the built-in dictation is enough
- You dictate now and then: a message, a search, a short note.
- Your Mac has an Intel processor or runs a macOS older than 26: Volna needs Apple Silicon and macOS 26.
- You like having nothing to install. Turn it on in Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation.
What Volna adds
- Always on your Mac. Your recordings never leave your Mac, whatever the language. Volna collects no data.
- Your words. Teach Volna the names, tools and terms you use, so they come out spelled the way you spell them.
- One key, any app. Tap the right ⌘ (or ⌥Space) to start, tap again to stop; the text appears where your cursor is.
- Mixed languages. English terms inside a sentence in Portuguese, Spanish or another language are fine.
- History, if you want it. Dictation history is off by default; turn it on and every dictation stays on your Mac, ready to copy or insert again.
Using both
Give them different keys. Volna uses the right ⌘ and ⌥Space; if your Apple Dictation shortcut is one of them, choose another in Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation. Then keep the built-in dictation for a quick word, and use Volna for longer writing and for anything that should stay on your Mac.