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superwhisper vs Spokenly
Both give you free local models that run on your Mac, and both add cloud models and AI cleanup if you pay. Spokenly gives away more for free and runs on Linux. superwhisper has the deeper modes and a lifetime license.
By the SpeechBee team. Prices checked on 13 October 2026
superwhisper
Spokenly
SpeechBee
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Side by side
| superwhisper | Spokenly | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Unlimited local Whisper models, plus 3,000 words of Pro to try | Unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet models, and your own API keys |
| Paid | Pro $8.49/mo or $84.99/yr | Local+ $19 once; Pro $99.99/yr |
| Lifetime | $249.99 | Local+ $19, which adds extras but not cloud models |
| Refunds | 30-day refund on all plans | 14-day refund on Pro bought on its site |
| Where speech is processed | Local models, or a cloud model you pick | Local models, your own keys, or Spokenly's cloud on Pro |
| Works offline | Yes, with local models | Yes, with local models; a local-only mode blocks all network requests |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone |
| Your own API keys | On Pro | Free |
| Customisation | Custom modes per task or app, choice of voice and language model | AI instructions per app, Agent Mode |
| Meetings and files | Meeting recording; audio and video files on Pro | Records microphone and system audio on Mac; file transcription |
| Developers | Works in any app | MCP server that coding agents can call |
- Spokenly Local+, once$19
- superwhisper Pro, yearly$84.99
- Spokenly Pro, yearly$99.99
- superwhisper lifetime$249.99
Price: Spokenly gives away more
Both are free with local models. Spokenly goes further on the free plan: you can also connect your own API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq and others and pay those providers directly, with nothing added by Spokenly. superwhisper keeps your own keys for Pro.
When you pay, superwhisper Pro is $84.99 a year and Spokenly Pro is $99.99. Each Pro plan adds hosted cloud models and AI cleanup without setting up keys. If you never want a subscription, superwhisper's lifetime license is $249.99. Spokenly's $19 Local+ is a one-time purchase too, but it adds extras such as recording styles and settings sync, not cloud models, and it is not sold in the App Store versions.
Privacy: both can stay local
With local models, neither app needs to send your audio anywhere. Spokenly adds a local-only mode that blocks every network request, which makes that easy to be sure of. superwhisper lets you choose local or cloud per mode, so each mode decides where your words go.
With cloud models, your audio goes to the provider. Spokenly says audio sent to its cloud is processed and deleted, not stored.
Everyday feel
superwhisper is built around modes. You can make one for email, one for Slack and one for code, each with its own models and instructions, and tie them to apps. Super Mode reads your screen for context.
Spokenly feels lighter. Hold the shortcut, talk, and words appear as you speak with its streaming engines. AI instructions tidy grammar and filler words for the app you are in, and it keeps a searchable history you can replay and export.
Platforms
Both run on Mac, Windows and iPhone. superwhisper adds Android. Spokenly adds Linux.
Which one should you pick?
Choose superwhisper if:
- You want detailed modes tied to each app.
- You use Android, or want a full lifetime license.
Choose Spokenly if:
- You want good local dictation without paying.
- You already have API keys and want to use them for free.
- You work on Linux, or dictate prompts to coding agents.
A third option: SpeechBee
SpeechBee is our own app, and every fact here is on our homepage. Like both apps above, it transcribes on your device, and dictation keeps working with Wi-Fi off once the model has downloaded. It has no models to choose and no modes to build. Hold a key, talk, let go, and the text appears at the cursor with the filler words gone.
It also reads. Select text on your Mac and press a key, and a natural local voice reads it aloud. Neither superwhisper nor Spokenly does that.
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 runs on Apple silicon Macs, iPhone and iPad, not Windows, Linux or Android. It costs $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once, with the first 7 days free and every feature on every plan.
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 Spokenly better than superwhisper?
For free local dictation, Spokenly gives you more: unlimited local models plus your own API keys at no charge, and a Linux app. superwhisper is stronger for custom modes, Android and a lifetime license.
Is Spokenly free?
Yes. Spokenly's local Whisper and Parakeet models are free with no word cap, and so is using your own API keys. Pro, at $99.99 a year, adds Spokenly's hosted cloud models and AI cleanup.
Is superwhisper cheaper than Spokenly?
For Pro, yes: $84.99 a year against $99.99. Both are free with local models. superwhisper also sells a $249.99 lifetime license, while Spokenly's one-time $19 Local+ does not include cloud models.
Do superwhisper and Spokenly work offline?
Both do with local models. Spokenly's local-only mode blocks all network requests. Cloud models in either app need a connection.
Does Spokenly work on Android?
No. Spokenly says it is not yet available for Android and runs a waitlist. superwhisper lists Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.
Keep comparing
Sources
Checked on 13 October 2026.
- superwhisper, features, plans and FAQ
- superwhisper yearly and lifetime prices
- Spokenly pricing and FAQ
- Spokenly homepage, for features and platforms
- Spokenly for Android, on Android availability
- SpeechBee facts from our homepage and privacy policy