Aqua Voice currently starts every account with 1,000 free words and no card. After that, Pro costs $10 month-to-month or $8 per month when billed annually. Aqua also advertises a 70% student discount for eligible .edu accounts. Those numbers are simple; the more useful question is what you get for the payment and whether Aqua’s broader platform and language support matter to your workflow.
The details below were checked on August 9, 2026 against Aqua Voice’s official FAQ and current product information. Pricing can change, so confirm the amount shown at checkout before paying.
| Option | Current price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Free start | $0 | 1,000 words, no card required |
| Pro monthly | $10/month | Unlimited use; monthly billing |
| Pro annual | $8/month billed annually | Same Pro account at the annual rate |
| Student Pro monthly | $3/month | 70% discount with eligible .edu signup |
| Student Pro annual | $2.40/month billed annually | Discounted annual rate |
| TalkTalkType Free | $0 | 30 dictations and 15 voice minutes/week on compatible Macs |
| TalkTalkType Plus | $1/month | 80 dictations and 30 voice minutes/week |
Snapshot checked August 9, 2026. Aqua counts words for its free starting allowance; TalkTalkType counts dictations and voice minutes. These units are not converted here.
The 1,000 free words are a starting pool, not a weekly allowance
Aqua’s FAQ says every account starts with 1,000 free words, with no card required and system-wide dictation available. It then describes Pro as the next step after those words are used. The FAQ does not describe the 1,000 words as a weekly or monthly reset, so do not treat it like a recurring free allowance.
That makes the free access useful for testing rather than for assuming an indefinite workload. Use it to check recognition, the hotkey, formatting, and whether Aqua works well in the apps where you actually write.
Pro is $10 monthly or $8 per month billed annually
Aqua explicitly offers both billing periods. Pro is $10 when paid month-to-month and $8 per month when billed annually. At those listed rates, twelve monthly payments total $120, while the annual rate corresponds to $96 for a year.
The annual option therefore saves $24 over twelve months at the current public rates, but only if you would otherwise keep Pro for the year. Monthly billing costs more per month but keeps the commitment shorter.
Aqua says one Pro account works across your devices. Desktop coverage includes macOS and Windows, and the same Pro account also gives unlimited access to the iOS and Desktop apps. Dictionary entries, custom instructions, and settings sync across devices.
Pro buys more than a larger word allowance
The free Starter tier uses Aqua’s legacy engine. Aqua says Avalon, its current transcription model, is included with Pro. The product is cloud-based and requires an internet connection.
Aqua also supports a broad language list with automatic language detection. If you move between Mac, Windows, and iPhone or dictate in languages beyond Japanese and English, that breadth can be part of what you are paying for rather than an incidental feature.
For a narrower comparison, the Aqua Voice alternative guide covers platform, privacy, language, and workflow differences in more detail.
Students get a materially different price
Aqua’s current FAQ advertises 70% off Pro and Max for users who sign up with a .edu email. It lists student Pro at $3 per month or $2.40 per month billed annually. The same page lists student Max at $9 monthly or $7.20 monthly when billed annually.
If you qualify, compare the student checkout rather than the standard $10/$8 Pro rates. The discount changes the purchase decision enough that it should be checked before choosing another product on price alone.
A cheaper Mac-only option can make sense when Aqua’s breadth is unnecessary
TalkTalkType takes a narrower approach. Its current implementation targets macOS 26 or later and recognises Japanese and English. Free is $0 with 30 dictations and 15 voice minutes each week; Plus is $1 per month with 80 dictations and 30 minutes. Higher plans raise those weekly limits.
That lower entry is relevant only when the narrower scope fits. TalkTalkType does not replace Aqua’s Windows or iPhone coverage, broad language support, Avalon model, or cross-device settings. If those Aqua features are requirements, the cheaper sticker price is not an equivalent substitute.
If Japanese or English voice typing on a compatible Mac is enough, compare the current TalkTalkType pricing with your weekly usage. If you need Aqua’s wider platform or language coverage, keep Aqua in the decision.
Choose the billing period after testing the workflow
Start with Aqua’s 1,000 free words and test the apps, languages, and devices you actually use. If Pro is needed for a short or uncertain period, monthly billing preserves flexibility. If you already expect to use Pro for a year, the annual rate is lower at today’s listed prices. Eligible students should check the discounted checkout before making either calculation.
The important distinction is between price and fit. Aqua’s paid plan is easier to justify when its cross-platform reach, language breadth, and Pro model are part of your normal work. If they are not, a narrower Mac dictation plan may cost less without giving up anything you need.