Cerebro Keyboard vs Apple Dictation

Facts checked on

Apple Dictation is free, built into the iPhone keyboard, and processes speech on your iPhone in many languages, so it’s the better choice for quick or offline dictation. Cerebro Keyboard is a separate keyboard that sends your speech to OpenAI for transcription and can rewrite, shorten or translate it before it’s inserted. If your dictated messages are fine as they are, stick with Apple Dictation; if you want them polished or translated as you speak, try Cerebro Keyboard’s free plan.

Apple Dictation and Cerebro Keyboard compared
FeatureApple DictationCerebro Keyboard
Price Included with iOS Free with 20 transcriptions a month; Cerebro Pro $5.99/month or $47.99/year (US)
Setup Built in; turn on Enable Dictation in Settings if it’s off Add the keyboard in Settings and allow Full Access; the first tap opens the Cerebro app for a moment
Where speech is processed On your iPhone in many languages Via Cerebro’s server in Germany to OpenAI (outside the EU); audio discarded afterwards
Works offline Yes, in languages processed on the iPhone No
Languages Many languages and regional variants; Apple’s feature availability list shows which Detected automatically; English, German and many more
Switching languages Follows the keyboard language you’re using Automatic, no setting
Rewriting and translating Not part of Dictation; with Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro or later), Writing Tools rewrite selected text as Friendly, Professional or Concise Pick a mode before you speak: Professional, Concise, Translate (30 languages), Casual, List, Clean, Email, or your own prompt
Editing by voice Yes, in U.S. English on iPhone 12 and later (except iPhone SE) No
Emoji Say an emoji name, like “heart emoji” (some languages) Suggests up to two emoji that fit what you said, picked on your iPhone (for English and German text)
Typing while dictating Yes, the keyboard stays open No letter keys; switch keyboards with the globe key
Length of a dictation Stops after 30 seconds of silence Up to 2 minutes per recording, 10 with Pro; the mic stays ready for 10 minutes afterwards

Choose Apple Dictation if…

  • you want something free that’s already on your iPhone, with nothing to install or allow
  • you need to dictate without an internet connection
  • you’d rather your voice is processed on your iPhone
  • you like switching between typing and talking in one keyboard, or editing by voice
  • your messages are fine exactly as you say them

Choose Cerebro Keyboard if…

  • you want your words rewritten as you speak: more professional, more casual, shorter, or without swearing
  • you think in one language but need to send messages in another (the Translate mode covers 30 languages)
  • you switch languages and don’t want to change keyboards to do it
  • dictation keeps getting names or jargon wrong and you want a custom dictionary
  • you want your own AI modes, like “summarize this” or “turn this into a tweet”
  • you’re fine with your audio being transcribed in the cloud by OpenAI (and you keep confidential details off the microphone)

Questions about Cerebro Keyboard and Apple Dictation

Is Cerebro Keyboard more accurate than Apple Dictation?

We haven’t published an accuracy test comparing Cerebro Keyboard and Apple Dictation, so we don’t claim either is more accurate. The quickest way to find out is to dictate the same message with both; Cerebro Keyboard’s free plan includes 20 transcriptions a month.

Can I use Apple Dictation and Cerebro Keyboard together?

Yes. Cerebro Keyboard is added alongside Apple’s keyboard, so Apple Dictation stays available, and you switch between them with the globe key.

Does Apple Dictation work offline?

Yes, in many languages: Apple says Dictation is processed on your iPhone in many languages and no internet connection is required. Cerebro Keyboard always needs a connection.

Can Apple rewrite my dictated text with AI?

Not as part of Dictation itself. On iPhones with Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro and later), you can select the text afterwards and rewrite it with Writing Tools; Cerebro Keyboard applies its mode while you dictate and runs on iOS 17.0 or later.

Try Cerebro Keyboard free

20 transcriptions every month, no account needed.

Download on the App Store

Sources

Facts checked on

  1. Apple Support: Dictate text on iPhone
  2. Apple Support: Commands for dictating text on iPhone
  3. Apple: iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability
  4. Apple Support: Use Writing Tools with Apple Intelligence on iPhone
  5. Apple Developer: Custom Keyboard (keyboards have no microphone access)
  6. Cerebro Keyboard on the App Store
  7. Cerebro Keyboard Privacy Policy

Apple, iPhone and Apple Intelligence are trademarks of Apple Inc. Cerebro Keyboard is an independent app by Allonsy GmbH and isn’t affiliated with Apple. Spotted something out of date? Email info@allonsygmbh.com.

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