Comparison
Verba vs Aqua Voice
Sharp natural-language editing, at the cost of being cloud-only.
| Verba | Aqua Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99/mo | ~$8/mo |
| Platforms | macOS (Apple Silicon) | Mac, Windows, iOS |
| On-device | Yes, default | No |
| Transcription | On-device Whisper / Parakeet (or cloud, optional) | Cloud (proprietary 'Avalon' model) |
| AI editing | Six built-in modes (Raw, Polish, Intent, Translate, Context, Prompt) plus AI-built custom modes, per-mode Claude models, voice commands | Strong: natural-language editing, context/app-aware tone |
| Privacy | On-device transcription keeps audio on your Mac. Text history is local, synced only when signed in, with an off switch and retention controls. Keys in Keychain. | Cloud-first, no offline mode. |
Why people switch to Verba
- ✓JARVIS acts across 1,000+ apps by voice and always confirms first. Private, acts, and confirms, together. Aqua only edits text.
- ✓On-device transcription keeps your audio private and works offline.
- ✓Bring your own model: route each mode to the model you like.
- ✓Raw dictation is free forever and unlimited, no card, with a 7-day Pro trial for every AI feature.
Where Aqua Voice still has an edge
- •Aqua's proprietary Avalon model is very accurate.
- •Cross-platform (Windows, iOS) today.
We'd rather tell you the truth than oversell. If you need mobile or Windows today, those tools win, Verba is the best native macOS, privacy-first option.
Verba vs Aqua Voice, FAQ
Is Verba a good Aqua Voice alternative?
Yes. Verba is a native Mac dictation app at $9.99/mo with on-device transcription, AI cleanup in any app, live translation, and a voice agent for 1,000+ apps. Verba transcribes on-device by default, so your audio never has to leave your Mac; Aqua Voice sends audio to the cloud.
Verba vs Aqua Voice: which is more private?
Verba transcribes on-device by default, so your audio never has to leave your Mac; Aqua Voice sends audio to the cloud.
How much does Verba cost vs Aqua Voice?
Verba is $9.99/mo (or $84/year, or a $149 one-time lifetime), and raw dictation is free forever and unlimited with no card, plus a 7-day Pro trial; Aqua Voice is ~$8/mo. Verba lets you bring your own AI key or use a local model, with no markup.
Unlimited raw dictation free forever · Pro $9.99/mo