vs
Spokenly vs Alter
Both are Mac dictation tools with local and BYOK models. Spokenly adds iPhone and Windows, Alter lives in the Mac notch with deep meeting and automation features.
Updated May 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly and Alter (alterhq.com) are close in spirit: both offer Mac dictation with local models, BYOK cloud, and AI text processing. Alter is a macOS-only assistant that lives in the notch, with bot-free meeting recording, speaker identification, 50+ hosted models on its paid tier, and a deep macOS automation layer. Spokenly runs on macOS, iOS, and Windows, keeps local models and BYOK cloud free, and adds an MCP server and Agent mode for AI coding agents. Choose Alter for the notch experience and meeting intelligence on a Mac. Choose Spokenly for free local dictation across three platforms.
Spokenly
- Free with local Parakeet and Whisper, BYOK cloud at no cost
- macOS, iOS, and Windows with one Pro plan ($9.99 per month)
- iOS app with a custom keyboard for system-wide voice typing
- Agent mode and MCP server for AI coding agents (macOS)
- Custom AI prompts, custom dictionary, word replacements
- File transcription with subtitle export
Alter
- -macOS-only assistant that lives in the notch
- -Free tier with BYOK, paid Local+ adds on-device models
- -Bot-free meeting recording with speaker identification
- -50+ cloud models, unlimited hosted access on Pro
- -Deep macOS automation and 2,000+ tool integrations
- -No iOS or Windows app
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | Alter |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free with BYOK, Pro $9.99 per month | Free BYOK, Local+ $29/yr, Pro $240/yr |
| Free local models | Yes, unlimited | Local+ tier, $29 per year |
| Free BYOK cloud | Yes, free | Yes, free tier |
| Offline mode | Yes, Parakeet and Whisper | Yes, Local+ tier (Parakeet V3) |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, Windows | macOS only |
| iOS app and keyboard | Yes | No |
| Windows app | Yes, generally available | No |
| System-wide dictation | Yes | Yes |
| Meeting recording and speaker ID | File transcription only | Yes, paid tiers |
| Cloud model choice | BYOK plus managed providers | 50+ models on Pro |
| macOS automation | Agent mode and MCP server | macOS actions, 2,000+ tools |
| App Store presence | Yes, 4.9 from 300+ reviews | Direct download |
Pricing
Spokenly is completely free with local models and BYOK cloud transcription. Pro at $9.99 per month adds premium managed cloud providers and the iOS app with a custom keyboard.
Alter has a free tier that unlocks all features with your own API keys. On-device speech models (Whisper Pro and Parakeet V3) are part of the Local+ tier at $29 per year, the Pro tier with 50+ hosted models and meeting intelligence is $240 per year, and a lifetime license is $720.
The practical difference: Spokenly's local models are free, while Alter places its on-device speech models behind the $29 Local+ tier. Alter's Pro tier bundles many hosted models, where Spokenly leans on free BYOK plus managed providers.
Notch Assistant vs Cross-Platform Dictation
Alter is a polished macOS assistant built around the notch. It records meetings without a bot, identifies speakers, runs 50+ hosted models on its Pro tier, and connects to thousands of tools for automation. If your work lives entirely on a Mac and you want meeting intelligence plus a broad model menu in one app, that depth is the appeal.
Spokenly is built to follow you across devices. The same dictation works on macOS, iOS, and Windows, local models and BYOK cloud stay free, and the iOS app ships a custom keyboard for voice typing anywhere. On macOS, Agent mode and the MCP server connect dictation to automation and AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor.
If you are Mac-only and want meeting recording with speaker ID, Alter is a strong fit. If you want free local dictation on more than one platform, plus AI coding agent support, Spokenly fits better.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Where each app is strong, and where it falls short.
Spokenly
- +Free unlimited local transcription, free BYOK cloud
- +Runs on macOS, iOS, and Windows
- +iOS custom keyboard for system-wide voice typing
- +Agent mode and MCP server for AI coding agents
- +On the App Store with a 4.9 rating from 300+ reviews
- -No notch-based interface
- -No built-in meeting recording with speaker ID
- -Fewer bundled hosted models than Alter's Pro tier
Alter
- +Native notch experience, tuned for macOS
- +Bot-free meeting recording with speaker identification
- +50+ hosted models and 2,000+ tool integrations on Pro
- +Low entry price for on-device models ($29 per year)
- -macOS only, no iOS or Windows app
- -On-device speech models require the paid Local+ tier
- -Distributed as a direct download, not on the App Store
- -Unlimited cloud use needs the $240 per year Pro tier
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Spokenly if you...
- You want free local dictation on Mac, iPhone, and Windows
- You want free BYOK cloud without a paid tier
- You use Claude Code, Cursor, or other AI coding agents
- You want an iOS custom keyboard for voice typing
- You prefer an App Store app with a long review history
Choose Alter if you...
- -You work only on a Mac and like the notch interface
- -You want bot-free meeting recording with speaker ID
- -You want many hosted models bundled in one Pro tier
- -You want deep macOS automation and tool integrations
Switching from Alter
Getting started takes a few minutes.
- 1Download Spokenly free from spokenly.app/download.
- 2Pick a model: Parakeet for speed, Whisper Large V3 Turbo for accuracy, or BYOK cloud at no cost.
- 3Set your dictation shortcut. Right Option works well for one-handed use.
- 4Recreate any Alter text style as a custom AI prompt (clean up, formal rewrite, translate).
- 5Install Spokenly on iPhone and Windows so dictation follows you across devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alter the same as the AI avatar tools called Alter?
No. Several unrelated products use the name Alter. This page is about the Mac dictation and meeting assistant at alterhq.com that lives in the notch, not the AI avatar or headshot tools that also rank for that name.
Are Alter's local models free?
Alter's free tier includes basic local models and BYOK. Its faster on-device models, Whisper Pro and Parakeet V3, are part of the Local+ tier at $29 per year. Spokenly's local Parakeet and Whisper models are free with no usage limits.
Does Alter run on iPhone or Windows?
No. Alter is macOS only. Spokenly runs on macOS, iOS, and Windows, and the iOS app includes a custom keyboard for system-wide voice typing.
Can Spokenly record meetings with speaker labels?
Spokenly transcribes recorded audio and exports subtitles, but it does not label speakers the way Alter's meeting intelligence does. If meeting recording with speaker ID is your priority, Alter has the edge there.
Does Spokenly work with AI coding agents?
Yes. Spokenly includes an MCP server on macOS for Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex, plus Agent mode for voice-controlled automation. See our Spokenly vs SuperWhisper comparison for another local-first option.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
Download for macOSOther comparisons
This comparison is published by Spokenly. We aim for accuracy and transparency and will update this page as both products evolve. Learn more about Alter on their official website.