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Honest comparison

Andak vs Whisper

Whisper is the engine. Andak is the experience. Same local AI, but with a native Mac app, real-time dictation, and zero setup.

Same AI, different experience

OpenAI's Whisper is a remarkable open-source speech recognition model. It's accurate, multilingual, and runs locally. Andak is built on top of Whisper — it uses the same models but wraps them in a native Mac app designed for real-time dictation.

If you're a developer comfortable with Python and want to transcribe audio files, raw Whisper is a solid choice. If you want to dictate into any app with a hotkey press and get formatted, context-aware text, that's what Andak does.

Think of it this way: Whisper is like having a powerful engine. Andak is the car built around it — with a dashboard, steering wheel, and turn-by-turn navigation.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Whisper is the transcription engine. Andak is the dictation product. Here's how they differ.

FeatureAndakWhisper
InterfaceNative Mac appCommand-line / Python
Real-time dictation
Global hotkey
Runs locally
Works offline
Setup requiredNone (drag & drop)Python, pip, ffmpeg
Context-aware formatting
Filler word removal
System-wide input
Languages100+100+
Price$20 one-timeFree (open source)
Batch file transcription
API / programmatic use

Why developers choose Andak over raw Whisper

Zero setup

No Python, no pip, no ffmpeg, no terminal. Download Andak, drag to Applications, and start dictating in seconds.

Real-time dictation

Whisper transcribes audio files after recording. Andak streams your speech and outputs text in real-time as you speak.

Context-aware

Andak knows which app you're in. Dictate into VS Code and get code-formatted output. Dictate into Slack and get conversational text.

When Andak is the better choice

Whisper is great for batch transcription. Andak is built for live dictation workflows.

Code dictation

Dictate code comments, commit messages, and documentation. Andak formats output for your editor automatically.

Emails and messages

Compose emails and Slack messages by speaking. Andak adapts tone and formatting based on the active app.

Notes and documentation

Capture thoughts in real-time. No need to record an audio file first and transcribe it later.

Long-form writing

Draft blog posts and reports by speaking. Andak handles punctuation, removes filler words, and formats paragraphs.

Frequently asked questions

Is Andak just a Whisper wrapper?
Andak uses Whisper as its transcription engine but adds context-aware formatting, system-wide hotkey activation, automatic filler word removal, app-specific output formatting, and a native macOS interface. It's a complete dictation product built on top of Whisper.
Can I use Whisper for free instead of Andak?
Yes, Whisper is free and open source. However, using it requires Python setup, command-line usage, and manual file-based transcription. Andak provides real-time dictation with a global hotkey, automatic formatting, and zero setup.
Does Andak work offline like Whisper?
Yes. Both Andak and Whisper run entirely on your device. Andak bundles optimized Whisper models so you get the same privacy and offline capability with a better user experience.
Which Whisper model does Andak use?
Andak uses optimized Whisper models tuned for Apple Silicon. You can choose between faster smaller models and more accurate larger models depending on your hardware and accuracy needs.
Is Andak faster than running Whisper from the terminal?
For real-time dictation, yes. Whisper processes pre-recorded audio files, while Andak streams your speech in real-time. For batch transcription of audio files, raw Whisper may be more appropriate.

Related reading

Whisper power, zero setup

Download Andak and get Whisper-powered dictation without touching the terminal. One-time purchase, works offline.

Download for Mac — $20