Dragon's desktop software is Windows-only — no Linux app, and the Mac consumer app was discontinued in 2018. Dragon requires push-to-talk and builds a per-user voice profile (accuracy adapts over time). dicted adds an optional always-on hands-free mode — neural VAD, no training (works best in quiet settings). Mac, Linux, Windows, and Web at $143.99/yr — meeting transcription and AI text actions included.
Genuine free tier — no credit card, no voice training required.
Dragon (now owned by Microsoft via Nuance) is a capable product — especially for clinical and legal work on Windows. But for general professional use across operating systems, several gaps drive people to look for an alternative.
Dragon's dictation requires activating the microphone with a hotkey or Dragon bar button before you speak — it doesn't listen continuously. dicted supports push-to-talk too, but adds an optional always-on hands-free mode: neural VAD activates when you speak, stops when you pause. Hands-free works best in quiet environments.
Dragon discontinued its consumer Mac product — no current native Mac desktop app, and there has never been a Linux release. If you work across operating systems, or primarily on Mac or Linux, Dragon simply isn't an option. dicted runs on all three from one subscription.
Dragon builds accuracy from a trained, personalised voice profile. Setting up a new machine or user means repeating the training process. dicted works from the first word on any device — no calibration, no profile to train or migrate.
Dragon's current development focuses on healthcare and legal enterprise (Dragon Medical One, Dragon Legal). General-purpose professional dictation — writers, developers, remote workers — is not its primary market. dicted is built exactly for that audience.
Dragon Professional is sold as a one-time purchase — you own that version. dicted is a subscription ($143.99/yr) that includes continuous feature development, meeting transcription, unlimited AI text actions, and a 24-month price lock. For users who want dictation plus meetings plus AI in a single tool that stays current, the subscription model bundles significantly more.
This page compares dicted to Dragon Professional v16, the Windows desktop product. Microsoft (via Nuance) actively develops the Dragon line — its newer focus is healthcare and legal cloud offerings (e.g. Dragon Medical One). Where Dragon is genuinely stronger (clinical, legal, and enterprise vocabulary and trained profiles), we say so.
| Feature | Dragon Professional v16 | dicted |
|---|---|---|
| Optional always-on hands-free mode | Push-to-talk only (hotkey or button) | Push-to-talk + optional hands-free (neural VAD) |
| Purchase model | One-time purchase (contact Nuance for pricing) | Subscription — $143.99/yr or $17.99/mo |
| Windows | ||
| macOS | No current native Mac app | Yes (DMG, notarised) |
| Linux | Yes (.deb + AppImage) | |
| Voice profile | Builds a per-user voice profile (accuracy adapts over time) | None — works immediately |
| Meeting transcription | Yes — upload file, no bot | |
| AI text actions | Yes — unlimited | |
| Genuine free tier | Yes — 2 hr/mo, no CC |
Comparison is to Dragon Professional v16 (Windows desktop). Dragon, Dragon Professional, and Dragon Medical One are trademarks of Nuance Communications / Microsoft.
Comparison details reflect publicly available information about third-party products as of June 2026 and may change — please verify current features and pricing on each provider's official website. Product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners; references here are nominative and do not imply affiliation or endorsement.
The right Dragon replacement depends on your platform, workflow, and features needed. Here's where dicted fits as a general-purpose, cross-platform alternative.
Dragon requires a hotkey or button before every dictation session. dicted supports push-to-talk too, but adds an optional always-on mode: neural voice activity detection that starts typing when you speak and stops when you pause. Hands-free works best in quiet environments.
Dragon's desktop software is Windows-only — no current native Mac desktop app (discontinued 2018), no Linux app. dicted runs natively on Linux (.deb + AppImage), Windows (MSI), and macOS (DMG, Apple Silicon and Intel) from one account and subscription.
Dragon is focused on dictation. At $143.99/yr, dicted Pro adds meeting transcription (upload a file — no bot joining your call) and unlimited AI text actions (Rewrite, Draft Email, Summarize, Extract Action Items, Translate, and more) on top of unlimited voice typing.
Dragon's strength is clinical, legal, and enterprise deployments. dicted is built for everyday knowledge work and power users across every OS — a genuine free tier to start, no enterprise procurement, no trained-profile onboarding.
Dragon Professional is a one-time Windows purchase — you own that version indefinitely. dicted is a subscription ($143.99/yr) that includes unlimited AI text actions, meeting transcription, and platform updates as features evolve. If you need dictation-only on Windows and prefer paying once, Dragon's model has appeal. If you want cross-platform with meetings and AI in one evolving tool, dicted's subscription covers that.
Switching is straightforward — dicted doesn't require importing a Dragon voice profile. You start fresh, and it works immediately.
Native installers for Linux (.deb + AppImage), macOS (DMG, Apple Silicon and Intel), and Windows (MSI). One account, all platforms.
dicted uses neural voice activity detection. No voice profile to create, no microphone calibration, no training session. Open any app and speak naturally — dicted types.
Upload a meeting recording for a full transcript with action items, or run AI text actions on anything you dictate — Rewrite, Summarize, Translate, Extract Action Items.
dicted Pro is $143.99/yr — and includes meeting transcription and unlimited AI text actions on top of unlimited voice typing.
Unlimited is for one human — not bots, multi-person sharing, or resale. Fair use applies.
Get ProMac, Linux, Windows — always-on, no training, $143.99/yr.
Start for freeGenuine free tier — no credit card, no voice training required.