Dictly vs NovaVoice — Beyond Apple-Only
Dictly is a beautifully private, Apple-only dictation app. NovaVoice runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux — and goes further with Agent Mode voice commands that act inside your apps.
- Dictly is macOS and iOS only. NovaVoice works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Both offer real-time voice dictation into any app — NovaVoice adds Agent Mode: voice commands that send emails, add tasks, control Spotify, and more without switching apps.
- Dictly is fully offline with zero network traffic. NovaVoice is cloud-powered with strong privacy practices.
- Dictly is a one-time $29.99 purchase. NovaVoice uses a subscription model with a free tier to get started.
NovaVoice vs Dictly
| NovaVoice | Dictly | |
|---|---|---|
| Mac support | ||
| Windows support | ||
| Linux support | ||
| Real-time dictation into any app | ||
| Agent Mode (voice commands in apps) | Gmail, Todoist, Calendar, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, X, Hacker News & more | |
| AI contextual assistant | Ask questions from any screen, understand selected text | |
| Offline / on-device processing | On roadmap | Yes — fully on-device, zero network |
| Pricing | Subscription, free tier available | Free core + $29.99 one-time Pro |
What Dictly does
Dictly is a focused, privacy-first dictation app built exclusively for Apple's ecosystem. Released in late 2025, it runs entirely on-device — Apple's own speech recognition does all the work locally, so nothing you say ever touches a server. The developer claims ~100 ms first-word latency on Apple silicon and a download under 5 MB, making it one of the lightest dictation tools available.
On the free tier you get real-time dictation, Quick Capture, a custom dictionary of up to 25 entries, one workflow (a processing pipeline that can format or transform your dictated text), and history of your last 10 entries. The $29.99 one-time Pro unlock lifts all those caps: unlimited workflows, unlimited dictionaries, per-app profiles with custom hotkeys per application, and full searchable history. No subscription, no recurring charge, no cloud dependency.
Dictly supports three insertion modes — type-out character by character, paste, or copy to clipboard — and can auto-submit text in supported contexts. For Apple users who want private, no-fuss dictation that works identically whether they're online or not, it's a compelling and honest product.
How NovaVoice compares
The clearest difference is platform reach. Dictly is Apple-only — macOS 26+ and iOS. NovaVoice runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. If anyone on your team uses Windows, if you run a Linux development machine, or if you simply move between devices, Dictly isn't a viable option. NovaVoice is built to work wherever you work.
The deeper difference is what voice can do. Dictly is a dictation tool: you speak, text appears. That's valuable, and NovaVoice does the same thing system-wide with hotkey activation — speak into any text field in any app on any desktop OS. But NovaVoice also ships Agent Mode, which turns your voice into something closer to a desktop co-pilot. From any screen, you can say 'send that email', 'add this to my Todoist', 'create a calendar event for Friday at 3', or 'play something chill on Spotify' — and it happens, without switching apps. Agent Mode currently works with Gmail, Todoist, Google Calendar, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, X, and Hacker News, with more integrations being added. That category of functionality doesn't exist in Dictly.
NovaVoice also functions as a contextual AI assistant. Ask it a question from any screen, have it summarize selected text, or get a quick answer without opening a browser tab. Dictly focuses on private dictation and does that well; NovaVoice is designed for people who want voice to handle more of their workday. The trade-off is straightforward: if offline-first privacy on Apple hardware is the priority, Dictly is worth serious consideration. If you need cross-platform support, voice commands that act in real apps, or an AI assistant woven into your desktop workflow, NovaVoice is built for that.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dictly?
Dictly is a privacy-first dictation app for Apple devices — macOS 26+, iOS 26+, and iPadOS 26+. It runs entirely on-device using Apple's local speech recognition, sends zero bytes over the network, and costs $29.99 as a one-time App Store purchase. It launched on Product Hunt in October 2025.
Does Dictly work on Windows or Linux?
No. Dictly is Apple-only — macOS and iOS/iPadOS exclusively. If you work on Windows or Linux, or move between platforms, Dictly isn't an option. NovaVoice supports Mac, Windows, and Linux from one product.
What is Agent Mode and does Dictly have it?
Agent Mode lets you trigger voice commands that act inside third-party apps from any screen — send an email in Gmail, add a task to Todoist, create a Google Calendar event, play a song on Spotify — without switching apps. Dictly does not have anything like this; it is a dictation and text-insertion tool only. Agent Mode is exclusive to NovaVoice.
Is Dictly good for privacy?
Yes — Dictly is one of the strongest privacy stories in dictation. Everything runs on-device using Apple silicon: speech recognition, formatting, and history storage. Zero bytes leave your machine, there's no telemetry, and no third-party SDKs. If local-only processing is your top priority and you're on a Mac, Dictly delivers it. NovaVoice is cloud-processed and suited to users who want cross-platform access and AI-powered features alongside solid privacy practices.
Which is better for someone who works across Mac and Windows?
NovaVoice — clearly. Dictly only runs on Apple hardware and software. NovaVoice is built for Mac, Windows, and Linux, so your dictation setup travels with you regardless of which machine you're on.
Can NovaVoice replace Dictly's one-time payment model?
Dictly's $29.99 one-time purchase is appealing for Apple users who hate subscriptions. NovaVoice uses a subscription model but includes Agent Mode and cross-platform support that Dictly simply doesn't have. If you only ever work on a Mac and want maximum privacy at a fixed price, Dictly is worth considering. If you want voice to do more than type text — controlling apps, acting on your behalf — NovaVoice is in a different category.
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