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The customizable Aqua Voice alternative
Free for Mac and iPhone with local Whisper and BYOK cloud. Pick your own model, write your own prompts, run fully offline, and keep AI rewriting optional.
Updated
Side-by-side cost
Aqua Voice
$12.99/mo
Spokenly
Free, Pro $9.99/mo
You save
Up to $155.88/year
Why switch from Aqua Voice to Spokenly
Stop AI from rewriting your meaning
Aqua's AI rewriting can drift from what you said. Spokenly's custom prompts give you exact control over every transformation.
Run fully offline
Aqua is cloud-only. Spokenly runs Parakeet or Whisper locally with no internet required.
BYOK saves real money
Aqua does not offer BYOK. Spokenly with BYOK uses your existing OpenAI or Deepgram credits at zero added app cost.
Offline mode
Spokenly can run local models when privacy or unreliable connectivity matters. Aqua's current workflow is cloud-first.
Choose your AI model
Aqua locks you to their AI for rewriting. Spokenly lets you use GPT-4, Claude, or any custom prompt.
Local Only Mode
Switch on Spokenly's Local Only Mode and audio stays on your device. Cloud transcription is disabled. Aqua's workflow is cloud-based.
Side-by-side: where Spokenly differs
| Feature | Spokenly | Aqua Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free + BYOK | $12.99/mo or $119/yr on iOS |
| Offline mode | Yes | No |
| BYOK cloud | Yes | No |
| AI rewriting | Optional, your prompts | Always-on, opaque |
| Choose your AI model | GPT-4, Claude, Gemini | Aqua's model only |
| Voice commands | Custom prompts | Built-in commands |
| Custom vocabulary | Word replacements | Yes |
| iOS app | Yes, custom keyboard | Yes, iPhone app |
| MCP for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Privacy mode | Local Only Mode | Cloud always |
How to switch from Aqua Voice in 5 minutes
- 1Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download.
- 2Pick a model. Parakeet or Whisper Large V3 Turbo are great defaults for offline use.
- 3Add custom prompts in Settings if you want AI rewriting. Use plain English to describe the transformation.
- 4Set your shortcut and dictate system-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Spokenly do AI rewriting like Aqua Voice?
Yes, with custom prompts. The difference is you write the prompt in plain English and pick the AI model. You stay in control of how text is transformed instead of relying on a black box.
How does accuracy compare to Aqua?
It depends on your audio and domain. Spokenly supports Parakeet and Whisper Large V3 Turbo locally, plus BYOK to GPT-4o Transcribe and Deepgram Nova, so you can test several model paths without committing to one vendor.
Does Spokenly work on Windows?
Not yet. Spokenly is macOS and iOS only. Aqua works on Windows. If Windows support is required, Aqua remains the option there.
Can I keep Aqua and try Spokenly?
Yes. Spokenly's free tier means you can run both with no commitment. Most switchers find Spokenly does what they used Aqua for at zero cost.
How is Spokenly free if Aqua charges for Pro?
Spokenly's local models run on your hardware so there's no per-minute cost to us. We only charge for premium cloud features. Aqua has a 1,000-word one-time free Starter tier, but daily users hit it quickly. Students get 50% off Spokenly Pro at spokenly.app/students; see full pricing at spokenly.app/pricing.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
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This page is published by Spokenly. Pricing reflects publicly available information at the time of writing. Learn more about Aqua Voice on their official site.