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Spokenly vs SuperWhisper
Two privacy-first Mac dictation apps with offline mode. Which speech-to-text tool fits your workflow better?
Updated March 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys for cloud transcription. No subscription needed. SuperWhisper requires Pro ($8.49/mo) for BYOK and limits the free tier to small AI models. Spokenly also has MCP integration for AI coding agents and Agent mode. SuperWhisper wins on Windows support, meeting recording, and lifetime purchase option.
Spokenly
- Free local transcription + BYOK cloud at no cost
- macOS + iOS with one Pro subscription ($9.99/mo)
- MCP server for AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor)
- Agent mode: voice-controlled macOS automation
- Custom AI prompts with GPT-4, Claude, and more
- 100,000+ users, 4.9 App Store rating
SuperWhisper
- -Free tier with small AI models, Pro from $8.49/mo
- -macOS, Windows, iOS
- -Meeting recording and transcription
- -Video/audio file transcription (Pro)
- -BYOK requires Pro subscription
- -Lifetime purchase: $249.99
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | SuperWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (monthly) | Free with BYOK, Pro $9.99/mo | Free tier + Pro $8.49/mo |
| Lifetime option | No | $249.99 |
| Student discount | No | 40% off Pro |
| Free tier | Unlimited local transcription | Small AI models only |
| BYOK (own API keys) | Yes, free | Pro only |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Offline mode | Yes, local Whisper + Parakeet | Yes, local Whisper |
| Privacy (local mode) | Audio stays on device | Audio stays on device |
| Languages | 100+ | 100+ |
| AI text processing | GPT-4, Claude, custom prompts | GPT-5, Claude, Llama, Grok, custom modes |
| Custom AI prompts | Yes, user-defined | Yes, custom modes |
| Coding agent integration | MCP server for AI agents | No |
| Agent mode | Voice-controlled macOS automation | No |
| Bash script hooks | Pre/post AI processing scripts | No |
| Meeting recording | No | Yes |
| File transcription | Yes | Yes (Pro) |
| Custom vocabulary | No | Yes |
| Team/enterprise | No | Yes, SOC 2 Type II |
| Windows support | No | Yes |
| Custom keyboard (iOS) | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Spokenly vs SuperWhisper
Both Spokenly and SuperWhisper offer free tiers, but they work differently. Spokenly's free tier gives you unlimited local speech-to-text with no restrictions on models or usage. SuperWhisper's free tier limits you to small AI models only.
A key difference is BYOK (bring your own API keys). Spokenly lets you use your own OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq API keys for cloud transcription at no cost, even on the free tier. SuperWhisper requires a Pro subscription to use your own API keys. If you already pay for API access, Spokenly saves you the subscription fee entirely.
The bottom line: Spokenly with BYOK costs $0 plus your API usage. SuperWhisper with BYOK costs $8.49/mo minimum plus your API usage. For managed cloud models without keys, Spokenly Pro is $9.99/mo (covers Mac and iPhone), while SuperWhisper Pro is $8.49/mo or $249.99 lifetime.
The Core Difference: Voice Interface vs Voice Input
Spokenly vs SuperWhisper is a comparison between two privacy-first Mac dictation apps that share a lot in common: both offer offline speech-to-text via local Whisper models, both support 100+ languages, and both give you custom AI prompts for text processing. The differences are in what each app does beyond basic voice typing.
SuperWhisper is a feature-rich dictation app with meeting recording, file transcription, and a custom vocabulary system. It has a polished per-mode model selection that lets you assign different AI models to different tasks. If you dictate across many contexts and want granular control over each mode, SuperWhisper delivers.
Spokenly focuses on making voice a first-class interface for your entire workflow. The MCP server lets AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor receive voice input directly. Bash script hooks let you run custom scripts before or after AI processing, perfect for normalizing jargon, expanding abbreviations, or triggering automations like Apple Shortcuts. Agent mode turns voice commands into macOS automation actions. These features make Spokenly not just a speech-to-text tool, but a voice control layer for developers and power users.
The BYOK difference is worth repeating: Spokenly lets you bring your own API keys for free, while SuperWhisper gates this behind Pro. If you already have OpenAI or Deepgram API access, Spokenly gives you premium cloud transcription at zero additional cost.
Real-World Use Cases
How Spokenly and SuperWhisper fit into different workflows.
Developers Using AI Coding Agents
Spokenly's built-in MCP server is the key differentiator for developers. Talk to Claude Code, Cursor, or other AI agents hands-free while keeping your hands on the keyboard. SuperWhisper can dictate into coding editors, but it does not integrate directly with AI coding agents via MCP.
Meeting Notes and Transcription
SuperWhisper has a built-in meeting assistant that records and transcribes meetings with automatic digests. Spokenly does not offer meeting recording. If meeting transcription is a core part of your workflow, SuperWhisper is the better dictation app for this use case.
Budget-Conscious Users with API Keys
If you already pay for OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq API access, Spokenly lets you use those keys for free. You get premium cloud speech-to-text without paying for a subscription. With SuperWhisper, BYOK requires a Pro plan ($8.49/mo minimum), so you pay twice: once for API access, once for the app.
An Honest Comparison
We believe in transparency. Here are the real strengths and weaknesses of both products.
Spokenly
- +BYOK is completely free, no subscription needed
- +MCP server for AI coding agent integration
- +Agent mode for voice-controlled macOS automation
- +One subscription covers both macOS and iOS
- +Unlimited free local transcription on free tier
- +Custom iOS dictation keyboard
- -No Windows support
- -No meeting recording
- -No custom vocabulary dictionary
- -No lifetime purchase option
- -No enterprise/SOC 2 compliance
SuperWhisper
- +Cross-platform: macOS, Windows, iOS
- +Meeting recording with automatic transcription
- +Video/audio file transcription
- +Custom vocabulary for specialized terms
- +Lifetime purchase option ($249.99)
- +Enterprise tier with SOC 2 Type II
- +Per-mode AI model selection
- -BYOK requires Pro subscription
- -Free tier limited to small AI models
- -Windows version significantly behind macOS
- -No coding agent integration (MCP)
- -No voice-controlled macOS automation
- -iOS requires iOS 18+
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Spokenly if you...
- You want free BYOK cloud transcription with your own API keys
- You use AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Amp)
- You want voice-controlled macOS automation
- You want unlimited free local speech-to-text
- You use both Mac and iPhone and want one subscription
Choose SuperWhisper if you...
- -You need meeting recording and transcription
- -You need Windows support
- -You want a lifetime purchase option
- -File transcription is important for your workflow
- -You need enterprise features with SOC 2 compliance
Switching from SuperWhisper
Getting started takes a few minutes.
- 1Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and install it on your Mac.
- 2Start dictating immediately with free local Whisper and Parakeet models. No account required.
- 3If you used your own API keys with SuperWhisper Pro, add them in Spokenly Settings for free cloud transcription.
- 4Set your preferred keyboard shortcut. Spokenly works system-wide in any app, just like SuperWhisper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both Spokenly and SuperWhisper work offline?
Yes. Both apps include local Whisper models that run on-device without an internet connection. Spokenly also offers Parakeet as an additional local speech-to-text engine. Both require Apple Silicon for best offline performance.
Which dictation app is cheaper?
Spokenly can be completely free. Local transcription costs nothing, and you can bring your own API keys for cloud speech-to-text at zero cost. No subscription required. SuperWhisper requires Pro ($8.49/mo) just to use your own API keys, and the free tier is limited to small models. If you already pay for OpenAI or Deepgram API access, Spokenly saves you the subscription entirely.
Can I bring my own API keys to both apps?
Yes, but with a key difference. Spokenly lets you use your own OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq API keys for free on any tier. SuperWhisper requires a Pro subscription ($8.49/mo minimum) to use your own API keys.
Which is better for developers?
Spokenly is purpose-built for developer workflows. Its MCP server lets AI coding agents like Claude Code receive voice input directly. Agent mode automates macOS actions with voice commands. SuperWhisper works well for dictation in coding editors but does not integrate with AI agents.
Does SuperWhisper have meeting recording?
Yes. SuperWhisper includes a meeting assistant that records and transcribes meetings with automatic digests. Spokenly does not currently offer meeting recording.
Which speech-to-text app has better privacy?
Both apps prioritize privacy with local processing options. In offline mode, audio never leaves your device on either app. When using cloud AI models, both send data to third-party providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). Spokenly adds a Local Only Mode that blocks all network requests entirely.
Can I switch from SuperWhisper to Spokenly?
Yes. Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and start dictating with free local models. If you used BYOK on SuperWhisper Pro, add the same API keys in Spokenly for free. The switch takes under two minutes.
Does SuperWhisper work on Windows?
Yes, SuperWhisper has a Windows app (v1.2.7 as of March 2026), though it is behind the macOS version in features. Spokenly is macOS and iOS only.
Which is the best Mac dictation app in 2026?
Both Spokenly and SuperWhisper are top-tier Mac dictation apps. Spokenly is best for developers and BYOK users who want free cloud transcription. SuperWhisper is best for users who need meeting recording, file transcription, or Windows support. Both are major upgrades over Apple's built-in dictation.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
Download for macOSOther comparisons
This comparison is published by the Spokenly team. We aim for accuracy and transparency and will update this page as both products evolve. Learn more about SuperWhisper on their official website.