Wisper Field vs Apple Dictation
The built-in mic transcribes. Wisper Field writes: filler words removed, rephrasings applied, your names spelled right, in any app.
Try Wisper Field freeEvery iPhone ships with Apple's dictation built into the keyboard, and for quick literal transcription it's genuinely good: it's free, fast, and private. But it types exactly what it hears: the "um"s, the mangled names, the sentence you rephrased mid-thought.
Wisper Field is built for the step after transcription: turning what you said into what you meant to write. Speech streams in, and clean, punctuated, ready-to-send text comes out, with your personal dictionary and snippets applied.
Side by side
| Wisper Field | Apple Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Cleaned-up text: filler words removed, punctuation and formatting applied as you speak | Literal transcription with automatic punctuation (commas, periods, question marks) in supported languages; filler words and rephrasings are typed as spoken |
| Works in any app | Yes: it's a keyboard, so anywhere you can type | Yes, built into the system keyboard |
| Personal dictionary | Yes: add names, jargon, and places once; they come out spelled right | Learns some contacts and usage over time; no dedicated dictionary you control |
| Snippets | Yes: save the things you type all the time; say the trigger phrase while dictating and the whole thing types itself | No (text replacement exists in iOS Settings, but it's typed shortcuts, not voice) |
| Internet required | Yes: audio is processed in the cloud for cleanup | No for supported languages: runs on-device |
| Price | Free for 1,000 words/week; Pro $12/mo billed annually or $15 month-to-month | Free, included with iOS |
Information current as of August 2026. Product features and prices change. Check each product's site for the latest.
When Apple Dictation might suit you better
- You dictate rarely and a literal transcription is all you need.
- You only need literal text with basic punctuation. Apple auto-punctuates in supported languages.
- You're often offline. Apple Dictation runs on-device for supported languages.
- You don't want any third-party keyboard on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep using Apple Dictation alongside Wisper Field?
Yes. Wisper Field is just another keyboard: switch between keyboards with the globe key anytime, and the built-in mic stays right where it was.
Why does Wisper Field need the internet when Apple Dictation doesn't?
The cleanup is the point: your speech is processed by AI models in the cloud that remove filler words, fix punctuation, and apply your dictionary. The trade-off is that dictation needs a connection; the QWERTY keyboard itself works offline.
How is this different from just using the built-in mic?
Apple Dictation transcribes literally: with automatic punctuation, but also with your "um"s, false starts, and rephrasings left in. Wisper Field removes the filler, applies your rephrasings, and uses your personal dictionary and tones, so the text is ready to send.
The easiest way to speak instead of type
Free for 1,000 words a week, no card required.
Download for iPhoneMore comparisons: Dragon (Nuance) · Otter.ai · Superwhisper · Wispr Flow