Eko · How-to
How to dictate on a Mac (2026)
You can dictate on a Mac two ways: with Apple’s free built-in Dictation, or with a dedicated app like Eko that’s faster, more accurate, and does more than type. Here’s how to do both, and when to use each.
Get Eko for Mac — $39Steps
Turn on Apple’s built-in Dictation
Open System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation and switch it on. Choose a shortcut (default: press the microphone key or Control twice). Click into any text field and start the shortcut to dictate.
Know its limits
Built-in Dictation is free and private for basic use, but it has no custom vocabulary, mistranscribes names and jargon, and can’t clean up, translate, or format what you say.
Install Eko for faster, smarter dictation
Download Eko for Mac (Apple Silicon, macOS 14+), grant microphone + accessibility access, and press ⌥D in any app to dictate. It runs on-device or with your own API key.
Refine without leaving the app
After dictating, select the text and press ⌥C to fix grammar, ⌥T to translate, or ⌥F to ask AI to rewrite it — the result lands right where your cursor is.
One shortcut. In any app. $39 once.
Eko is a Mac AI keyboard assistant: dictate, fix, translate, ask AI, read your screen and open apps — from one shortcut, in any app. Runs on-device or with your own API key. $39 once, no subscription.
Get Eko for Mac — $39$39 once · No subscription · macOS 14.0 or later, Apple Silicon (M1+)
FAQ
How do I dictate on a Mac for free?
Open System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation, turn it on, then click into any text field and trigger the dictation shortcut. It’s free and built into macOS, though limited compared to dedicated apps.
Why is Mac dictation so inaccurate?
Apple’s built-in Dictation has no custom vocabulary and struggles with names, jargon and technical terms. Tools like Eko use modern speech models and let you add context, so accuracy is much higher.
What’s the best dictation app for Mac?
Eko is our pick — a one-time $39 app that dictates in any app and also corrects, translates, reads your screen and opens apps, running on-device or with your own API key.
Does Mac dictation work offline?
Apple’s Dictation does basic on-device dictation on modern Macs, and Eko can run fully on-device with a local model so your audio never leaves your Mac.