ToneScribe vs Aqua Voice

Private, with a one-time purchase. Or cloud-based, with a subscription.

Feature comparison

FeatureToneScribeAqua Voice
Your voiceBetter: Stays on deviceCloud dictation
OfflineBetter: YesVaries by platform
AccountBetter: Not neededSign-up to get started
PriceBetter: $29.99 once$8/mo billed yearly
Audio and video filesBetter: Import and transcribeNot listed on its site
Works in other appsBetter: Yes, iPhone keyboard and MacBetter: Yes
PolishingBetter: Local modelBetter: AI with your own rules
Voice editingEdit by typingBetter: Select text, say the change
Free plan1,000 iPhone · 2,000 Mac a week1,000 words to start
Languages28Better: 49
PlatformsiPhone, Mac · Windows soonBetter: Mac, Windows, iPhone

better for you · USD unless marked. Localized prices may differ. · We make ToneScribe · Sources, 26 Sep 2026

Over 5 years, you save $450: ToneScribe costs $29.99 once, Aqua Voice costs $480.

US pricing Local prices may differ

Based on US prices on 26 Sep 2026: ToneScribe Pro $29.99 once, Aqua Pro $96 a year. Prices can change.

All amounts in USD. Localized prices may differ. Final prices are shown at checkout.

Competitor pricing source

Pick ToneScribe if you…

  • Keep private messages off the cloud
  • Are tired of subscriptions
  • Dictate on planes or with no signal
  • Want recordings and videos as text
  • Would rather skip another account

Pick Aqua Voice if you…

  • Work on Windows
  • Dictate in 28+ languages
  • Want to edit text by speaking
  • Want AI to follow your writing rules

Frequently asked questions

Is ToneScribe a good Aqua Voice alternative?

Yes, if you’re on iPhone and Mac and want your dictation to stay private. ToneScribe transcribes on your device, works offline, needs no account, and costs $29.99 once.

Aqua Voice is the better fit if you need Windows, more than 28 languages, editing by voice, or AI that follows your own instructions.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

What’s a cheaper alternative to Aqua Voice?

ToneScribe. Pro is $29.99 once for iPhone and Mac. Aqua Pro is $8 a month billed yearly, or $10 month to month.

ToneScribe also keeps your voice on your device and works offline.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Which app is more private?

ToneScribe. It always transcribes on your iPhone or Mac, keeps your transcripts there, and has no account to sign in to.

Aqua Voice dictates in the cloud. Its Privacy Mode keeps nothing stored on Aqua’s servers, and its Business plan adds zero data retention.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Do ToneScribe and Aqua Voice work offline?

ToneScribe works fully offline once its speech model has downloaded, on iPhone and Mac.

Aqua’s cloud dictation needs an internet connection. Aqua says offline availability varies by platform, app version, and mode.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Can I transcribe audio and video files?

With ToneScribe, yes. Pick an audio or video file, or a video from Photos, on iPhone or Mac, and it’s transcribed on your device.

Aqua’s site describes live dictation and doesn’t list importing audio or video files.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

How do the free versions compare?

ToneScribe’s free version gives you 1,000 words a week on iPhone and 2,000 on Mac, with the same speech model as Pro.

Aqua starts you with 1,000 free words and no card required. Pro unlocks unlimited words.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Which app costs less over five years?

ToneScribe Pro is $29.99, once. Five years of Aqua Pro comes to $480 billed yearly, or $600 paying month to month.

That’s about $450 you keep, at current US prices.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Can I edit text by voice?

In ToneScribe, you edit transcripts by typing, in the app or wherever you dictated.

Aqua has a Voice Edit Mode on iPhone: select text, tap Edit, and say what should change.

Source: Aqua Voice docs

Try ToneScribe for free

DownloadSee pricing