Aqua Voice vs SuperWhisper 2026
Both tested on the same ElevenLabs audio fixtures. Here is who wins where — every score is measured, not editorial.
Benchmarked on identical audio · tested 2026-06-10 · Aqua Voice 0.14.17, SuperWhisper 1.4.0
Aqua Voice leads by 0.8 points overall.
Out-of-box cloud accuracy against on-device control — Aqua just works, SuperWhisper keeps your audio local if you do the digging. Aqua Voice wins on accuracy and speed; SuperWhisper wins on privacy and ux.
How they compare, axis by axis
| Where they differ | Aqua Voice | Verdict | SuperWhisper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 98.0% accurate | Wins | 93.9% accurate |
| Speed | ~1s | Wins | ~2s |
| Privacy | Audio always uploaded | Wins | Local mode keeps audio on device |
| UX | avg 3.7/5 across 10 criteria | Wins | avg 4.2/5 across 10 criteria |
| Features | 5/7 features | Tie | 5/7 features |
| Overall | 7.9 | Wins | 7.1 |
Where Aqua Voice pulls ahead
Aqua wins on out-of-box accuracy and effort. Its single cloud model is 98.0% accurate across our six recordings with nothing to configure — it hits a perfect 100% on the café-noise and numbers clips and never drifts over the long-form monologue. SuperWhisper’s headline accuracy is actually higher (98.4%), but only on a model most people never load: its default engine is weak, so what you get on install is noticeably worse than what Aqua gives you immediately. Aqua also reaches one more platform (iPhone) that SuperWhisper doesn’t.
On top of that, Aqua’s always-on AI cleanup means capitalisation, punctuation and filler-removal land without editing. It even trims throat-clearing lead-ins ("OK, so…") that other engines transcribe verbatim, so the text arrives ready to paste.
Where SuperWhisper pulls ahead
SuperWhisper wins privacy and ownership. It is the only one of the two with a genuine offline mode — in its local configuration the audio never leaves the device, while Aqua is cloud-only and uploads every recording. If you can dig into the Library and switch to the hidden Whisper Standard model, it is also the most accurate local engine we measured (98.4%), with zero hallucinations across all six clips.
It is the cheaper long-term option too: a one-time lifetime licence at $249.99 against Aqua’s open-ended subscription. The catch is the default experience — SuperWhisper ships a weak default model, so its strengths only appear once you go looking for them.
Choose Aqua Voice if…
- You want top accuracy the moment you install — Aqua is 98.0% accurate out of the box, no model to switch.
- You live in the cloud and want punctuation, capitalisation and filler-removal handled for you automatically.
- You are on Windows, macOS or iPhone and want one consistent cloud experience across them.
Choose SuperWhisper if…
- You need a genuine offline mode — SuperWhisper keeps audio on-device; Aqua is cloud-only.
- You prefer a one-time lifetime licence ($249.99) over Aqua’s subscription.
- You will switch to the hidden Whisper Standard model, the most accurate local engine we measured (98.4%).
Accuracy by recording (default models)
| Recording | Aqua Voice | SuperWhisper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coding / technical | 96.4% | 32.0 points Aqua Voice | 64.3% |
| Casual voice memo | 98.4% | 35.4 points Aqua Voice | 63.0% |
| Casual + café noise | 100.0% | 4.8 points Aqua Voice | 95.2% |
| Conference / accented | 98.6% | 23.2 points Aqua Voice | 75.5% |
| Long-form (4 min) | 97.4% | 16.2 points Aqua Voice | 81.2% |
| Numbers / ITN | 100.0% | 7.3 points Aqua Voice | 92.7% |
Word accuracy on identical audio — higher is better. Both use their default out-of-box model.
Aqua Voice vs SuperWhisper: frequently asked questions
Is Aqua Voice more accurate than SuperWhisper?
Out of the box, yes. On identical audio Aqua’s default cloud model was 98.0% accurate versus the model SuperWhisper actually ships by default, which is noticeably weaker. SuperWhisper’s hidden Whisper Standard model is slightly higher at 98.4% — but you only get that if you dig into the Library and switch to it.
Does Aqua Voice work offline?
No. Aqua Voice is cloud-only — every recording is uploaded and it needs an internet connection. SuperWhisper has a genuine offline mode that keeps the audio on your device, which is its main advantage in this comparison.
Which is better for privacy, Aqua Voice or SuperWhisper?
SuperWhisper, used in local mode: the audio never leaves your device. Aqua Voice uploads every recording to the cloud and has no local option, so it loses the privacy axis. Note that in cloud mode SuperWhisper also sends data off-device, so its privacy edge depends on staying local.
Is Aqua Voice or SuperWhisper cheaper?
SuperWhisper is cheaper long-term: it offers a one-time lifetime licence at $249.99 (with $8.49/mo or $84.99/yr options). Aqua Voice is subscription-only at about $10/mo ($96/yr) with no lifetime plan. Aqua’s free allowance is a one-off 1,000 words, not a recurring free tier.
Which should I choose if I just want it to work?
Aqua Voice. It is the more accurate option the moment you install it, with punctuation, capitalisation and filler-removal handled automatically and nothing to configure. SuperWhisper rewards setup — offline control and a more accurate hidden model — but its default experience is the weakest part of the app.