Compare
OpenWhispr vs SpeechBee
SpeechBee is our own app. OpenWhispr is open source, runs on Linux, and is growing into a platform for meetings and notes. SpeechBee stays small: dictation into any app, Read Aloud, and both on your device.
By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Prices checked on 13 October 2026
OpenWhispr
SpeechBee
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Side by side
| OpenWhispr | SpeechBee | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Pro $8/mo or $80/yr; Business $160/yr | $9/mo, $79/yr, or $99 once |
| Source code | Open source (MIT) | Closed |
| Where speech is processed | Local models, or OpenWhispr's cloud | On your device |
| Works offline | Yes, with local models | Yes, after a one-time model download |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux; iPhone and iPad app with Pro | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Meetings | 5 hours a month free, unlimited on Business | No |
| Filler removal | Not listed | 44 languages on Mac; English, German, Spanish and French on iPhone |
| Read text aloud | No | Yes, natural local voices |
1 year
- OpenWhispr$80Yearly · Pro · + free tier
- SpeechBee$79Yearly
2 years
- OpenWhispr$160Yearly · Pro · + free tier
- SpeechBee$99One-time
3 years
- OpenWhispr$240Yearly · Pro · + free tier
- SpeechBee$99One-time
Cheapest published way to keep each app: monthly, yearly or a one-time license. US dollars before tax, prices checked on 13 October 2026.
Platform or tool
OpenWhispr's free plan includes unlimited local dictation, 2,000 cloud words a week and 5 hours of meeting recordings a month. Pro adds unlimited cloud transcription, an agent mode, sync and the iPhone and iPad app; Business adds unlimited meeting recordings. It is becoming a workspace.
SpeechBee does two jobs: hold a key and talk, and your words land at the cursor; select text and press another key, and it is read aloud. Both run on your device, and one plan covers Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Privacy
Local models keep OpenWhispr's dictation on your computer; cloud transcription and meeting features send audio to its service. SpeechBee never uploads audio and never records it.
Reading, not just writing
Hi Maya, I'll send the revised proposal tomorrow morning.
Most people read faster than they speak. SpeechBee reads the sentence you selected out loud, while you keep working.
SpeechBee reads selected text aloud in natural local voices, up to 200,000 characters at a time on the Mac. OpenWhispr has no text to speech.
Price
OpenWhispr's local dictation is free; Pro is $8 a month or $80 a year. SpeechBee is $9 a month, $79 a year or $99 once. The free tier is a strong option if local dictation on Linux or Windows is all you need.
Try SpeechBee free for 7 days.
Voice to text and Read Aloud on your Mac, iPhone and iPad. After the week, $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once. Every plan has every feature.
Questions
Is OpenWhispr free?
Yes for local dictation, with no word limit. Cloud transcription beyond 2,000 words a week, the iPhone app and sync come with Pro.
Does SpeechBee run on Linux or Windows?
No. SpeechBee is for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Which keeps my voice on my device?
Both can. OpenWhispr does with local models; SpeechBee always does.
Keep comparing
Sources
Checked on 13 October 2026.
- OpenWhispr pricing and OpenWhispr
- SpeechBee facts from our homepage and privacy policy