MioTypeMioType vs Superwhisper: local models or two languages?
Short answer: Superwhisper if you want local models first, lots of control, and the same app on your phone. MioType if you work between Chinese and English, or want to read English text in Chinese without leaving the app you are in.
We make MioType. Superwhisper's details below come from superwhisper.com, checked on October 15, 2026.
Side by side
| MioType | Superwhisper | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 3,000 cloud words a week; local Whisper with no limit | Unlimited use of local Whisper models |
| Paid | $9.99/month, $59.99/year or $149 once | Pro from $8.49/month; yearly and lifetime options |
| Platforms | Mac with Apple silicon | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Default processing | Cloud; local model in Settings | Local; cloud models and your own API keys on Pro |
| Translate while you speak | Fn + Left Shift: Chinese ↔ English | Pro: any language into English |
| Translate selected text | Fn + Control, in any app; one word gives a dictionary card | Not listed on its site |
| Ask about the selection | Fn + Space | Not listed on its site |
Where Superwhisper wins
Local first. Superwhisper's free plan runs Whisper models on your Mac with no usage limit, and works offline. MioType can do the same — switch to the local model in Settings — but its default, and its free cloud allowance, are built around the cloud.
More platforms. Superwhisper is on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. MioType is on Macs with Apple silicon only.
Control. Custom prompts, a choice of local and cloud models, your own API keys. If you like to tune your tools, Superwhisper gives you more to tune.
Where MioType wins
Both directions between Chinese and English. Superwhisper's Pro plan translates into English. MioType goes both ways: speak Chinese with Fn + Left Shift and English is typed, or speak English and get Chinese.
Translating what you read, not just what you say. Select any text — a stack trace, a README, a code review comment — and press Fn + Control. The translation appears right there. Select one word and you get a dictionary card. This is half of what MioType is for, and it works in every app.
Fewer decisions. Press Fn, talk, press Fn again. The defaults are chosen for writing prompts, messages and docs, so you shouldn't need to open Settings to get started.
Words it learns from you. Correct a misheard word in the text box after dictating — kubectl instead of "kube cuddle" — and MioType adds it to your dictionary, so it is right next time.
Price
At the monthly level they are close: $8.49 for Superwhisper Pro, $9.99 for MioType Pro, which includes 100,000 cloud words a month. Both have free plans that are genuinely usable. MioType also sells a yearly plan at $59.99 and a one-time $149 license; Superwhisper lists yearly and lifetime options on its site.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Superwhisper if offline-by-default matters most, you want it on your phone or Windows PC, or you enjoy configuring models and prompts.
- Choose MioType if your work moves between Chinese and English, you read a lot of English you would rather see in Chinese, and you want dictation that works without setup.
For three more options, see the best dictation apps for Mac. If you are coming from Wispr Flow, read MioType vs Wispr Flow.