How is Aqua different from VS Code Speech?

Scope and vocabulary. Aqua works in every app rather than only VS Code, supports 49 languages against 26, and takes a custom dictionary for your own repo and framework names.

Does Aqua work in the integrated terminal?

Yes. Aqua types into whatever field has focus, including the integrated terminal and the commit message box.

Does it work on Windows?

Yes. Aqua runs on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. There is no Android app.

How much does it cost?

Starter is free with 1,000 lifetime words. Pro is $8 a month billed annually, and Team is $12 a month billed annually.

VS Code

VS Code Voice Dictation

Write code, comments, and commits without leaving the keyboard behind.

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Aqua is a system-wide dictation layer for Mac, Windows, and iPhone. Hold a key in VS Code and speak, and your words land in whatever has focus: the editor, a comment, the Copilot chat box, a commit message, or the integrated terminal.

Does VS Code have built-in voice dictation?

Yes, and it is good. Microsoft's VS Code Speech extension dictates into the editor on Alt+Cmd+V, adds speech to the chat panel, and runs entirely on your machine, so nothing is sent to a server. If offline processing is your hard requirement, use it. The trade-offs are scope and languages: it stops at the edge of VS Code, so the browser tab, the Slack thread, and the PR description you write next are back to typing, and it covers 26 languages with a separate extension per language against Aqua's 49. Aqua also takes a custom dictionary, which is what stops your repo and framework names coming out wrong.

How to dictate in VS Code with Aqua

Download Aqua for Mac or Windows and grant microphone access, plus Accessibility access on macOS.
Pick your hold-to-talk key in Aqua's settings.
Open VS Code and click into any field: the editor, a comment, Copilot chat, the commit message box, or the terminal.
Hold your key, speak, and release.
Add your repo, framework, and package names to your custom dictionary.

Tips for dictating in VS Code

Comments, docstrings, commit messages, and PR descriptions are the win. That is prose, and prose is what dictation is for.
For Copilot chat, describe the outcome and the constraints rather than reading code aloud.
Put library names in your custom dictionary. A general model has no reason to know how your internal package is spelled.
In the integrated terminal, read the command back before you press Enter.

What you get

97.3% accuracy on AISpeak, SOC 2 Type II, and 49 languages, on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. Start free with 1,000 lifetime words. Pro is $8 a month billed annually.

Read the full guide to voice dictation in VS Code

Frequently asked questions

Does VS Code have built-in voice dictation?: Yes, through Microsoft's VS Code Speech extension. It dictates into the editor and the chat panel, and it runs locally on your machine rather than sending audio to a server.
How is Aqua different from VS Code Speech?: Scope and vocabulary. Aqua works in every app rather than only VS Code, supports 49 languages against 26, and takes a custom dictionary for your own repo and framework names.
Does Aqua work in the integrated terminal?: Yes. Aqua types into whatever field has focus, including the integrated terminal and the commit message box.
Does it work on Windows?: Yes. Aqua runs on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. There is no Android app.
How much does it cost?: Starter is free with 1,000 lifetime words. Pro is $8 a month billed annually, and Team is $12 a month billed annually.

Dictate in other apps

Aqua works in every text box on your Mac, Windows PC, and iPhone. These are some of the apps people use it in most.

See every app Aqua works in

People love using Aqua for their most important tasks

Used by people at

れん学長のAIビジネスラボ

@renkon40

There’s no going back. The shock of Aqua Voice turning voice input into a “weapon.” I can’t use Mac’s standard voice input anymore.

usutaku

@usutaku_channel

I used to think Mac’s built-in voice input was convenient enough, but after trying Aqua Voice, there’s no going back. The accuracy and overall experience are just on another level.

くらげ＠通常運行モード

@kurage313book

While researching voice input on Note, I came across an article praising an app called Aqua Voice. I decided to give it a try, and it completely blew me away. I was so impressed I subscribed immediately.

anna-sofia

@annasofialesiv

so @aquavoice_ is completely changing how I write — it's by far the most convenient speech-to-text product I've ever used

Stammy

@Stammy

i've been waiting for Aqua (YC W24) to have a mac app for ages; finally here. It's like a faster Superwhisper or Wisprflow but it also has context of your screen/apps so it's even more accurate. perfect for vibe coding

Tom Blomfield

@t_blom

I've been using Aqua Voice for the last few months and it's awesome. Talking with your computer beats typing.

Grzegorz Kossakowski

@gkossakowski

I find @aquavoice_ ’s voice dictation excellent for vibe coding. The effectiveness of vibing scales with how much context you can feed into the LLM. You can speak 3–4x more words per minute than you can type, and Aqua nails the low-friction experience voice needs to actually work.

Product Hunt 😸

@ProductHunt

"Every single comment I've made on Forums this week has been done with @aquavoice_ " - Product Hunt's Head of Product Operations.

kwindla

@kwindla

I have given many, many, many demos. I've been on stage at TED. I went to grad school at a place where the more-or-less official motto was "demo or die." @finnatsea 's mic drop moments in his @aquavoice demo are right up there with the best demos I've seen.

John Lindquist

@johnlindquist

Switching to @aquavoice_ as my default dictation app. Loving the "real-time" mode.

Get started for free

Get started with

1,000 free words

Avalon transcription model

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Built for the way you work

Advanced features that give you more control, more accuracy, and a voice-to-text experience designed for the way you work.

[01]

Aqua refining dictated text in real time

Your words, perfected by AI

Aqua’s model trained on real workflows to understand natural speech, correct grammar, and preserve every word while refining your text in real time.

[02]

dictionary

Custom dictionary

Teach Aqua the words you use most, like names, brands, or technical terms, and watch accuracy improve instantly.

[03]

Custom prompting

Writing style, your way

Set your tone and rules. From lowercase Slack messages to structured docs, Aqua adapts to your preferences automatically.

[04]

49 Languages

Aqua multilingual speech model globe graphic

Speaks your language

Understands 49 languages with clarity and precision, adapting naturally to how you speak.

[05]

Private History

Aqua private transcript history interface

Secure transcript history

Access your past transcripts any time. Turn on Privacy Mode and nothing is stored on our servers at all.

[06]

Better Accuracy

Aqua

NVIDIA

Whisper

ElevenLabs

AssembyAI

Our Model in your hands

Swap Whisper for Avalon in two lines and hit 97.3% accuracy on AISpeak. Learn how Avalon works.