No subscriptions. No tricks.
Pay once. Use it forever.
Start with a free 15-minute trial — no credit card, no account needed. When you love it, pay $19 once. That's it. You bring your own OpenAI API key, so we have no ongoing costs to pass on to you.
VibeWhisper
No subscription. No recurring fees. Buy once, use forever.
Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Apple Silicon & Intel. All purchases are final.
Prices shown exclude VAT/tax. Depending on your country, applicable taxes may be added at checkout.
What is VibeWhisper?
VibeWhisper is a native macOS menu bar app that turns your voice into text — in any application. Hold a configurable push-to-talk shortcut key, speak naturally, and release. Your transcribed text appears directly in the focused text field via the macOS Accessibility API.
It uses OpenAI Whisper for transcription, supporting 99+ languages with high accuracy on technical terms, code vocabulary, and natural speech. Your API key stays securely in the macOS Keychain — no VibeWhisper servers are involved.
Whether you are vibecoding with AI assistants, writing documentation, drafting messages, or taking quick notes — VibeWhisper works wherever you type on macOS.
Why we don't charge a subscription
Most voice-to-text tools charge $10–20 per month. They justify this by running proxy servers that relay your audio to a transcription API — and marking up the cost. You pay the tool vendor, the vendor pays OpenAI (or similar), and you never see the actual transcription cost.
VibeWhisper does things differently. Your audio goes directly from your Mac to the OpenAI Whisper API using your own API key. There is no middleman server. There is no markup. VibeWhisper has no per-user infrastructure costs, so there is no reason to charge you monthly.
We believe developer tools should be owned, not rented. $19 once, lifetime license, all future updates included. That's it.
Your audio goes directly to OpenAI. No middleman. No markup. No reason for a subscription.
Everything included for $19
- VibeWhisper macOS app — native, lightweight, lives in your menu bar
- Lifetime license — no expiration, no renewal
- All future updates — new features, improvements, compatibility updates
- Global push-to-talk shortcut — configurable, works in any application
- OpenAI Whisper transcription — 99+ languages, technical term accuracy
- Accessibility API text injection — direct input, no clipboard hijacking
- Secure Keychain storage — API key never leaves your machine
- Zero telemetry — no data collection, no tracking, no analytics on your voice
What you provide
- Your own OpenAI API key — stored locally in macOS Keychain
- OpenAI Whisper API usage — approximately $0.006 per minute of audio
- macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later (Apple Silicon & Intel)
- Accessibility permission — granted on first launch for text injection
Bring your own API key
VibeWhisper uses your OpenAI API key for Whisper transcription. You pay OpenAI directly — approximately $0.006 per minute of audio.
What does it actually cost to use?
VibeWhisper itself is $19, once. The only ongoing cost is the OpenAI Whisper API, which you pay directly to OpenAI at approximately $0.006 per minute of audio.
Light use (5 min/day)
~$0.90/month
Quick messages, short prompts
Moderate use (15 min/day)
~$2.70/month
Regular coding, documentation
Heavy use (30 min/day)
~$5.40/month
All-day dictation, meetings
Even with heavy daily use, VibeWhisper + API costs are a fraction of what subscription tools charge.
VibeWhisper vs. subscription voice-to-text tools
See how a one-time purchase compares to monthly subscriptions over time.
| Cost breakdown | VibeWhisper | Subscription tools | macOS Dictation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | $19 (one-time) | $0 | $0 (built-in) |
| Monthly cost | ~$3–5 (API only) | $10–20/month | $0 |
| Year 1 total | ~$55–79 | ~$120–240 | $0 |
| Year 2 total | ~$55–79 | ~$240–480 | $0 |
| Year 3 total | ~$55–79 | ~$360–720 | $0 |
| Push-to-talk control | Yes — configurable global shortcut | Varies | No |
| Transcription accuracy | OpenAI Whisper (99+ languages) | Proprietary | Apple on-device (60+ languages) |
| Text injection | Direct via Accessibility API | Varies (often clipboard) | Dictation overlay |
| API cost transparency | Full — billed by OpenAI | Hidden in subscription | N/A |
| Privacy | Audio direct to OpenAI | Through vendor servers | Apple servers |
VibeWhisper annual costs assume ~10 min/day dictation at $0.006/min. Subscription estimates based on typical $12/month tools.
FAQ
Pricing FAQ
Common questions about VibeWhisper pricing, the OpenAI API, and what you get for $19.
Why is VibeWhisper a one-time purchase instead of a subscription?
Because you bring your own OpenAI API key, VibeWhisper has no ongoing per-user infrastructure costs. Your audio goes directly to OpenAI — no proxy server, no middleman. We charge $19 once and include all future updates.
What does the OpenAI Whisper API cost?
OpenAI charges approximately $0.006 per minute of audio. A 15-second dictation costs a fraction of a cent. Even heavy daily use (30 minutes/day) costs about $5.40/month — paid directly to OpenAI, not to us.
Do I need an OpenAI account?
Yes. You need an OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com. If you already use ChatGPT or the OpenAI API, you can use the same account. Create a dedicated key for VibeWhisper to track usage separately.
What if OpenAI raises their API prices?
OpenAI sets Whisper API pricing independently. Historically, AI API costs have decreased over time. Even if prices change, you always see the exact cost on your OpenAI dashboard — no hidden markup.
Are future updates really included?
Yes. Your $19 purchase includes a lifetime license with all future updates — new features, performance improvements, and macOS compatibility updates. No renewal fees.
Are all purchases final?
Yes, all purchases are final. We do not offer refunds. If you run into any issues or have questions, please reach out to our support — we are happy to help you get the most out of VibeWhisper.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. VibeWhisper includes a built-in 15-minute free trial. The timer tracks actual recording time — not calendar time — so your 15 minutes go a long way. No credit card required, no account needed. Just download the app, add your OpenAI API key, and start using it. When the trial is up, purchase a $19 license to continue.
How does VibeWhisper compare to free macOS Dictation?
macOS Dictation is free but lacks push-to-talk control, has lower accuracy with technical terms, uses a dictation overlay instead of direct text injection, and supports fewer languages. VibeWhisper gives you explicit control, OpenAI Whisper accuracy, and system-wide Accessibility API integration.
Learn more about VibeWhisper
Explore features, read comparisons, and find guides to get started.
All Features
Push-to-talk shortcut, Whisper transcription, Accessibility API injection, Keychain storage, and more.
Learn moreGetting Started Guide
Set up VibeWhisper in under 5 minutes. Install, add your API key, configure your shortcut, and start dictating.
Learn moreVibecoding with Voice
Dictate prompts to Claude, Cursor, and Copilot. Describe code changes faster by speaking than typing.
Learn moreCompare Alternatives
See how VibeWhisper stacks up against Wispr Flow, macOS Dictation, MacWhisper, and Dragon.
Learn moreBlog
Articles about voice-to-text workflows, developer productivity, and VibeWhisper updates.
Learn moreKnowledge Base
Step-by-step guides, troubleshooting, and documentation for VibeWhisper.
Learn moreTry it free. Then pay once.
15-minute free trial. No credit card. When you're ready: $19 once, lifetime license, all future updates.
Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Apple Silicon & Intel. All purchases are final.