Aqua Voice is great for code-aware dictation. Cue adds screen context, turning your voice into actions, not just text. It works in any app.
Choose Aqua Voice for its excellent code-aware dictation if you're a developer who just needs to type with voice. Choose Cue for a true voice assistant that sees your screen, understands context, and automates tasks in any app.
Aqua Voice excels at transcribing technical language and code. If you already have a subscription and only need to replace your keyboard with your voice for typing, it's a solid choice.
Cue combines voice with screen context. This lets you do more than just type. Select text, speak a command, and watch Cue edit, summarize, or send it to another app.
Here's a fair, feature-by-feature look at Cue and Aqua Voice.
| Feature | Cue | Aqua Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Context (Vision)Sees your active app and selection | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI Agent ModeAutomates multi-step tasks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real-time TranslationTranslate speech into other languages | ✓ 20+ languages | ✗ |
| Free TierFor basic, sustained use | ✓ Unlimited dictation | ✗ |
| Monthly PricingLowest paid tier | $9.99/mo | $15/mo |
| Languages SupportedFor dictation and commands | 50+ | Fewer |
| Works in Any AppSystem-wide hotkey access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows SupportNative Windows application | ✓ | ✓ |
| macOS SupportNative macOS application | ✓ | ✓ |
| Voice Dictation AccuracyGeneral purpose transcription | High | High |
| Code-aware DictationHandles technical syntax and terms | Partial | ✓ Strong |
| Custom VocabularyAdd specific words or commands | Partial | ✓ |
Aqua Voice is subscription-only. Cue offers a generous free tier for dictation and a lower-cost plan for unlimited agent use.
Aqua Voice is a strong dictation tool. Cue is designed for a different job: turning voice into action.
Aqua Voice hears what you say and turns it into text. Cue hears what you say and sees what's on your screen. It knows your active app, selected text, and visible content. This context allows Cue to automate tasks, not just type words. For example, select a paragraph and say 'make this more concise'. Cue edits it in place.
Cue includes a multi-step AI agent. You can ask it to perform complex tasks that involve multiple applications. For example, 'find the latest report from Jane, summarize it, and draft an email to my team'.
Cue's core dictation is free forever, so you can try it without risk. It also supports real-time translation and dictation in over 50 languages, making it a flexible tool for global teams.
They hear what you said.
Cue sees what you're doing.
And does the thing, in any app.
Our goal is to help you find the right tool, even if it's not us.
You are a developer who primarily needs to dictate code and technical terms. Aqua Voice is built for this, with strong accuracy for programming languages and custom commands tailored to coding workflows. If you have a paid plan and only need voice-to-text, it's an excellent choice.
You want your voice to do more than just type. Cue's ability to see your screen context means it can take action on your behalf, from editing text to running multi-step automations. If you want a true voice assistant that works everywhere, on Mac and Windows, start with Cue's free tier.
Yes, if you want more than just dictation. Aqua Voice is excellent for code-aware dictation. Cue is an alternative for users who want a voice assistant that also sees screen context to automate tasks, edit text, and work across apps. For pure dictation, both are strong.
Yes. Just like Aqua Voice, Cue has native applications for both macOS and Windows. Your subscription covers use on all your devices, and settings sync between them.
Partially. Cue can dictate code, but Aqua Voice has more specialized features for developers, like advanced code-aware syntax. If your main use case is dictating large amounts of code, Aqua Voice may be a better fit. Cue is better for general commands, text editing, and task automation.
Aqua Voice costs $15/month and does not have a free tier. Cue has a free-forever plan that includes unlimited dictation and a daily allowance of agent credits. The Cue Plus plan, with unlimited agent use, costs $9.99/month.
Cue uses a hybrid model. Voice is transcribed locally for speed and privacy. For more complex tasks, Cue uses cloud-based models like Claude and Gemini for their advanced reasoning capabilities. All screen context is processed locally and only sent to the cloud when you explicitly invoke an AI agent.
The main difference is screen context. Cue sees your screen, selected text, and active app. This allows Cue to perform actions like 'summarize this selected text' or 'find this person on LinkedIn'. Aqua Voice primarily hears your voice for dictation and does not see your screen.
Yes. Your privacy is a priority. Audio is transcribed locally or streamed to secure providers, never stored. Screen context is processed on-device and is only used for the immediate task. We do not store your screen content or use it for training. You can read our full privacy policy for details.
Switching is simple. Download Cue for Mac or Windows and install it. You can use the free tier immediately without a credit card. Both apps can be installed at the same time, so you can compare them directly before deciding to cancel your Aqua Voice subscription.
Start with unlimited dictation on day one. By day two, you'll be using screen context to automate your work in any app.