# ParrotPad vs MacWhisper

> MacWhisper is a great Mac-only local Whisper wrapper. ParrotPad is the cross-platform, cloud-STT alternative with better accuracy on technical terms and zero setup.

## Headline differences
- **Platforms**: ParrotPad is Mac + Windows. MacWhisper is Mac-only.
- **STT engine**: ParrotPad uses best-in-class cloud speech-to-text. MacWhisper uses local Whisper models (offline).
- **Accuracy on jargon**: ParrotPad's personal dictionary boosts accuracy on stack/customer/jargon terms via keyword hints to the speech engine. Local Whisper has no equivalent.
- **Setup**: ParrotPad install + grant two permissions + go. MacWhisper install + pick a model + download model weights + go.
- **Privacy posture**: MacWhisper is on-device by default. ParrotPad transcribes in the cloud and never retains audio server-side by default.

## Where MacWhisper wins
- Fully offline - works on a plane, no internet needed
- One-time purchase option (Mac App Store)
- Mac-native UX polish

## Where ParrotPad wins
- Cross-platform from day one
- Better accuracy on technical terms via personal dictionary keyword hints
- Lower latency in practice on a good connection
- Account sync - your settings, dictionary, and history follow you across machines
- Engine-agnostic - we keep adopting better speech models as they ship

## Verdict
If you're Mac-only and want everything offline, MacWhisper is the right pick. If you work cross-platform, want dictionary-boosted accuracy on technical terms, or want zero setup, that's ParrotPad.