Saydrop vs Superwhisper

Both Superwhisper and Saydrop offer local-capable Apple Silicon dictation with cleanup. If you prioritize local-first processing and a one-time flat price, Saydrop is the simpler choice. If you want maximum flexibility in cloud LLM backends and multi-platform support, Superwhisper is the more mature option. This post compares them head-to-head.

At a glance: feature and architecture comparison

Feature	Saydrop	Superwhisper
Transcription	mlx-whisper large-v3 (on-device)	Parakeet on-device or Whisper API (Pro)
Cleanup/Rewriting	Gemma 4 E2B local (default-on)	Multiple cloud LLMs (Claude/GPT/Llama/Mistral/Gemini) via Pro
Transcription stays on-device?	Yes, always	Yes (Parakeet)
Cleanup stays on-device?	Yes, by default	Optional; Pro mode routes via Superwhisper proxy
Hotkey triggering	Double-tap or hold	Yes
Menu-bar UI	Single floating pill	Multiple panels/popups
Personal dictionary	Yes	Yes
Language auto-detect	Yes	Yes
macOS only?	Yes (M1–M4, Sonoma+)	No (macOS, Windows, iOS)
Account required?	No	Recommended for Pro features
Pricing model	CHF 39 one-time	Free (limited) or Pro $8.49/mo
Lifetime license option?	Yes, CHF 39	No (subscription only)

Local processing: transcription happens on both

Both tools keep audio transcription on your machine. Saydrop uses mlx-whisper large-v3, which runs on Apple Silicon’s unified memory. Superwhisper’s on-device engine uses Parakeet for the same purpose on Apple Silicon.

The practical result is identical: your voice never leaves your Mac during transcription. Neither tool sends audio to the cloud for speech-to-text.

Both apps support language auto-detection and personal dictionaries to improve recognition for technical terms and proper nouns. The transcription quality is comparable for most use cases — Whisper large-v3 is very strong for technical and mixed-language input, while Parakeet is purpose-built for consumer dictation.

The key difference emerges after transcription: what happens to cleanup.

Cleanup: local by default vs. configurable cloud

Saydrop’s differentiator is default-on local cleanup. Once transcription completes, the raw text passes through a local Gemma 4 E2B model running via mlx-vlm. This model polishes grammar, fixes stuttering, and adapts style — all without leaving your machine or requiring configuration. You don’t opt into this; it happens by default. If you want to disable it, set SAYDROP_CLEANUP=0 in your .env.

Saydrop also supports optional cloud Gemini cleanup via SAYDROP_CLEANUP_BACKEND=gemini, but you must provide your own API key, and it’s off by default. The philosophy is “local first, cloud optional.”

Superwhisper’s approach is more flexible: the free tier includes on-device transcription only. Pro users can enable “Super Mode” rewriting, which routes text through Superwhisper’s servers to reach cloud LLMs (Claude, GPT-4 on non-4o models, Llama, Mistral, Gemini). Nothing is retained for training, and Superwhisper is SOC2 Type II and HIPAA compliant. But this flexibility means setup: you choose your preferred LLM and configure it per session, or Superwhisper picks a default. The cleanup power is greater (Claude or GPT-4 vs. Gemma), but the cost is complexity and latency (network round-trip vs. local inference).

Bottom line: If you want cleanup to “just work” locally without thinking about it, Saydrop’s default-on Gemma is simpler. If you want the raw power of Claude or GPT-4 and don’t mind network latency or configuration, Superwhisper Pro’s cloud rewriting is more capable.

User interface: simplicity vs. depth

Saydrop aims for simplicity. The entire app is one floating menu-bar pill that changes color and shape to show state: gray at rest, red during recording, green during processing, blue when ready. Double-tap or hold your hotkey, speak, release — the text appears. The pill is always visible but never intrusive.

Superwhisper offers more UI surface: panels for mode selection, LLM choice, saved transcriptions, and settings. This gives you more power but also more decision points. If you want to change which LLM processes your text mid-session, or tweak the rewrite style, Superwhisper’s panels let you do it. Saydrop’s menu-bar-only design means you configure less often and get consistent behavior.

Both support keyboard shortcuts to trigger transcription. Saydrop’s double-tap is easier for reflex use; Superwhisper’s hotkey setup is more traditional.

Performance and latency

Both tools achieve sub-second transcription latency on Apple Silicon. Saydrop’s local Gemma cleanup adds roughly 0.5–1.5 seconds (depending on text length) but stays on your machine. Superwhisper’s cloud rewriting depends on network latency and the chosen LLM’s API response time — typically 1–3 seconds but variable.

If speed is critical (real-time conversation dictation with immediate paste), Saydrop’s local pipeline is more predictable. If cleanup power matters more than latency, Superwhisper’s cloud models are worth the wait.

Pricing and cost of ownership

Saydrop: CHF 39 one-time, then free forever. 14-day full-feature trial. No subscription, no recurring charges, no account required.

Superwhisper: Free tier (on-device transcription, no cloud rewriting), or Pro at $8.49/month (billed annually with a 2-month discount). No lifetime option.

Over 3 years:

• Saydrop: CHF 39 (roughly USD 43 at today’s rate).
• Superwhisper Pro: $8.49/mo × 36 ≈ $305 USD.

Saydrop’s one-time model appeals to users who want to own their tool. Superwhisper’s subscription model is common for multi-platform apps that need ongoing cloud infrastructure.

Compliance and privacy

Saydrop stores no data. Audio is transcribed locally and never sent anywhere (unless you enable optional cloud Gemini cleanup with your own API key). Cleanup text stays on your machine. No logs, no account, no cloud storage.

Superwhisper is SOC2 Type II and HIPAA-compliant. On-device transcription is private. Cloud rewriting is processed by Superwhisper’s proxy (nothing is retained for training) and routed to the LLM of your choice. If HIPAA compliance is a requirement, Superwhisper has the formal certification; Saydrop does not publish a compliance attestation.

Platform support

Saydrop runs on macOS 14+ on Apple Silicon (M1, M1 Pro/Max, M2, M3, M4). It is not available for Intel Macs, Windows, or iOS.

Superwhisper supports macOS, Windows, and iOS. If you need dictation across multiple devices or operating systems, Superwhisper is the only choice.

Who should pick which

Choose Saydrop if:

• You use a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer).
• You want local cleanup by default with zero configuration.
• You prefer a one-time price over a subscription.
• You value simplicity over configurability.
• Your dictation stays on your machine, or you’re comfortable managing your own cloud key for Gemini.
• You want to own the license outright.

Choose Superwhisper if:

• You need multi-platform support (Windows or iOS).
• You want maximum cleanup power via Claude or GPT-4, and latency is acceptable.
• You need formal HIPAA or SOC2 compliance.
• You like adjusting LLM choice and rewriting style per session.
• You prefer a familiar subscription model and ongoing platform support.
• You use Intel Macs (Superwhisper supports them; Saydrop does not).

Both are strong tools. Superwhisper is mature, powerful, and multi-platform. Saydrop is simpler, faster, and cheaper. Your choice depends on whether you value flexibility or simplicity more.

FAQ

Can Superwhisper work entirely offline?

Superwhisper’s on-device transcription (Parakeet) works offline. Cloud rewriting (Super Mode) requires Superwhisper Pro and is optional. Both transcription and cleanup can be on-device, but cleanup is configurable—when Pro is set up, the default is often cloud rewriting. Saydrop defaults to local cleanup always.

Does Saydrop require an account?

No. Saydrop is a standalone app with no login, account, or authentication. The one-time CHF 39 license is tied to your machine. Optional cloud Gemini cleanup requires a personal API key if you enable it.

Can I switch cleanup backends in Saydrop?

Yes. Set SAYDROP_CLEANUP_BACKEND in your .env to gemma (local, default) or gemini (cloud). Cleanup is optional—set SAYDROP_CLEANUP=0 to skip it entirely and save ~0.5 s per dictation.

What’s the total cost of ownership over 3 years?

Saydrop: CHF 39 one-time, then free forever. Superwhisper Pro: $8.49/mo × 36 ≈ $305 USD. Either is cheaper than occasional API-based transcription services.

Does Superwhisper run on Windows?

Yes. Superwhisper supports macOS, Windows, and iOS. Saydrop is macOS Apple Silicon only (M1–M4, macOS 14+). For cross-platform dictation, Superwhisper is the better fit.

Which cleanup is more powerful?

Superwhisper’s cloud LLM selection (Claude, GPT-4, Llama, Mistral, Gemini) offers more rewriting flexibility. Saydrop’s local Gemma 4 E2B is faster, entirely private, and requires no setup—but less feature-rich than commercial cloud models for creative or complex rewrites.

---

Ready to try Saydrop? Download the 14-day trial here — full features included, no credit card required. Or compare prices and features at Saydrop’s pricing page. If you want to learn more about how we chose mlx-whisper for local transcription, read our engineering deep dive.