DeepFlo vs
Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon was the gold standard for dictation—in 2010. If you're a Mac user looking for modern voice-to-text with AI capabilities, here's how the two compare.

Quick comparison

Feature
Dragon
DeepFlo
macOS Support
❌ DiscontinuedDragon for Mac ended in 2018
✅ NativeBuilt specifically for Mac
Pricing
$500+One-time (Windows only)
$8/mo or freeFree tier: 2k words/week
AI Enhancement
BasicTraditional speech recognition
✅ GPT-4 PoweredAuto punctuation, grammar, polish
Voice Editing
LimitedBasic commands only
✅ Natural Language"Make this formal", "translate to Spanish"
Works In Any App
PartialBest in supported apps
✅ System-wideAny text field, any app
Setup Required
HeavyVoice training, profiles
✅ NoneWorks immediately
Local Processing
✅ YesFully offline
CloudRequires internet
Updates & Support
❌ StagnantNo significant updates
✅ ActiveRegular updates, responsive support

The elephant in the room

Dragon discontinued Mac support in 2018.

🍎 No Mac version

Nuance stopped developing Dragon for Mac years ago. If you're on macOS, Dragon simply isn't an option anymore—you'd need to run Windows in a VM or use Boot Camp.

💰 Premium pricing

Dragon Professional costs $500+. For many users, that's hard to justify when modern AI alternatives deliver comparable accuracy at a fraction of the cost.

🕰️ Built for a different era

Dragon was revolutionary when it launched. But speech recognition has evolved. Cloud AI now matches or exceeds traditional on-device accuracy for most use cases.

Where Dragon still wins

Being honest about what Dragon does well.

🔒 Offline/Local Processing

Dragon processes everything on your device. For users in secure environments (legal, medical, government) where data can't leave the machine, this matters. DeepFlo requires an internet connection.

🩺 Medical & Legal Vocabularies

Dragon has decades of specialized vocabulary for healthcare, legal, and other industries. If you dictate medical transcription all day, Dragon's specialized editions are hard to match.

🪟 Deep Windows Integration

On Windows, Dragon integrates deeply with Microsoft Office, including advanced macros and automation. If you're a Windows power user in a specific workflow, that integration can be valuable.

Where DeepFlo wins

Modern AI capabilities for everyday voice-to-text.

🍎 Actually Works on Mac

DeepFlo is built natively for macOS. No virtualization, no workarounds. If you use a Mac, this is the fundamental difference.

🤖 AI That Understands Intent

DeepFlo's AI doesn't just transcribe—it understands. "Make this more professional" or "fix the grammar" aren't just commands, they're natural language that DeepFlo interprets intelligently.

✨ Zero Training Required

Dragon requires voice profile training. DeepFlo works immediately. Download, grant permissions, and you're dictating in under a minute.

💸 Accessible Pricing

Try DeepFlo free with 2,000 words/week. Pro is $8/month. No $500 upfront cost, no commitment. Cancel anytime.

🔄 Always Improving

DeepFlo leverages the latest in cloud AI. As models improve, so does DeepFlo—automatically. Dragon's core technology hasn't meaningfully evolved in years.

🎯 Context-Aware Output

DeepFlo adapts to where you're typing. Code in VS Code. Emails in Gmail. Notes in Notion. The AI adjusts formatting and style to match.

Who should use what?

Consider Dragon if...

  • You're on Windows and need fully offline processing
  • You work in medical transcription with specialized vocabulary
  • You need deep Microsoft Office automation
  • Your organization requires air-gapped operation

Consider DeepFlo if...

  • You use a Mac
  • You want AI-powered editing and enhancement
  • You need dictation across many different apps
  • You don't want to spend $500+ upfront
  • You want a tool that keeps getting better

Switching from Dragon?

The transition is easier than you think.

1

Download DeepFlo

Free download, works immediately. No voice training needed.

2

Use the same hotkey

DeepFlo uses fn by default. You can remap if you prefer your Dragon key.

3

Dictate naturally

Speak the way you always have. DeepFlo's AI adapts to your style.

Questions about switching

Is DeepFlo as accurate as Dragon?

For most users, yes. DeepFlo uses Deepgram's state-of-the-art speech recognition plus AI enhancement. In practice, the combination often produces cleaner output than raw Dragon transcription because DeepFlo's AI fixes grammar and punctuation automatically.

Can I use my Dragon commands in DeepFlo?

DeepFlo uses natural language instead of memorized commands. Instead of specific phrases, you just describe what you want: "delete that," "make this shorter," "translate to French." It's more flexible but different from Dragon's command structure.

What about my custom vocabulary?

DeepFlo doesn't have user-defined vocabulary in the same way Dragon does. However, its AI is remarkably good at recognizing proper nouns, technical terms, and jargon from context. Most users find they don't need to train it.

Does DeepFlo work offline?

No, DeepFlo requires an internet connection. The transcription happens in the cloud, which is what enables the advanced AI features. If offline operation is critical for you, Dragon (on Windows) may still be the better choice.

Ready to try the modern approach?

Free plan available. No credit card required.

Download DeepFlo for MacFree: 2,000 words/week • Pro: $8/month