vs
Spokenly vs VoiceInk
Two privacy-first, offline Mac dictation apps. One is completely free with BYOK, the other is a one-time purchase.
Updated March 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys for cloud speech-to-text. No purchase required. VoiceInk costs $25+ as a one-time purchase. Both are excellent offline Mac dictation apps, but Spokenly adds MCP integration for AI coding agents, Agent mode for macOS automation, and bash script hooks. VoiceInk is open source (GPLv3) and has Power Mode for automatic app detection.
Spokenly
- Completely free with local models and BYOK cloud transcription
- macOS + iOS with one optional Pro subscription ($9.99/mo)
- MCP server for AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor)
- Agent mode: voice-controlled macOS automation
- Bash script hooks for pre/post AI processing
- 100,000+ users, 4.9 App Store rating
VoiceInk
- -One-time purchase: $25 (Solo) to $49 (Extended)
- -macOS (Apple Silicon only), iOS
- -Open source (GPLv3), 4,100+ GitHub stars
- -Power Mode: auto-detects active app/URL
- -Smart Modes with custom templates
- -7-day free trial
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free with BYOK, Pro $9.99/mo | $25-49 one-time |
| Free tier | Unlimited local + BYOK cloud | 7-day trial, then paid |
| Student discount | No | Available (contact support) |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS | macOS (Apple Silicon only), iOS |
| Offline mode | Yes, Whisper + Parakeet | Yes, Whisper + Parakeet |
| BYOK (own API keys) | Yes, free | Yes (after purchase) |
| Privacy (local mode) | Audio stays on device | Audio stays on device |
| Languages | 100+ | 100+ |
| AI text processing | GPT-4, Claude, custom prompts | GPT, Gemini, Smart Modes |
| Custom AI prompts | Yes, user-defined | Yes, custom templates |
| 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 |
| Power Mode (auto app detection) | No | Yes |
| Custom vocabulary | No | Yes |
| File transcription | Yes | No |
| Open source | No | Yes (GPLv3) |
| Intel Mac support | Yes (cloud models) | No (Apple Silicon only) |
| Custom keyboard (iOS) | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Spokenly vs VoiceInk
Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys. You get unlimited offline speech-to-text and cloud transcription via BYOK without paying anything. No account, no trial period, no limits.
VoiceInk uses a one-time purchase model: $25 for a single Mac (Solo), $39 for two Macs (Personal), or $49 for three Macs (Extended). After purchase, you get lifetime updates. There is a 7-day free trial. VoiceInk can also be built from source for free since it is open source (GPLv3), though you lose auto-updates.
If you already have API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq, Spokenly gives you cloud-quality dictation at $0. VoiceInk requires the one-time purchase before you can use your API keys. For users who want a managed experience without handling keys, Spokenly Pro at $9.99/mo covers both Mac and iPhone.
The Core Difference: Voice Interface vs Voice Input
Spokenly vs VoiceInk is a comparison between two privacy-first Mac dictation apps that share a similar foundation: both run Whisper and Parakeet models locally on Apple Silicon, both support 100+ languages, and both work offline. The key differences are in what each app builds on top of that foundation.
VoiceInk is an open source dictation app with a strong focus on automatic context switching. Power Mode detects your active app and URL, then applies the right settings automatically. Writing an email in Gmail? VoiceInk switches to Email mode. Coding in Cursor? It switches to Code mode. This hands-free context awareness is something Spokenly does not have.
Spokenly focuses on making voice a programmable 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.
The pricing is worth repeating: Spokenly is completely free with local models and BYOK. You do not need to pay anything to get unlimited offline and cloud speech-to-text. VoiceInk requires a $25+ one-time purchase. Both are significantly cheaper than subscription-only competitors like Wispr Flow ($15/mo).
Real-World Use Cases
How Spokenly and VoiceInk fit into different workflows.
Developers Using AI Coding Agents
Spokenly's MCP server is the key differentiator for developers. Talk to Claude Code, Cursor, or other AI agents hands-free. VoiceInk can dictate into coding editors and has a Code mode, but it does not integrate directly with AI coding agents via MCP.
Multi-App Workflow Switching
VoiceInk's Power Mode automatically detects your active app and applies context-specific settings. If you constantly switch between email, code, and chat, VoiceInk adapts without manual mode changes. Spokenly requires manual prompt selection for different contexts.
Open Source Enthusiasts
VoiceInk is fully open source under GPLv3 with 4,100+ GitHub stars. You can audit the code, build from source, or contribute. Spokenly is a closed-source commercial product. If code transparency matters to you, VoiceInk has the edge.
An Honest Comparison
We believe in transparency. Here are the real strengths and weaknesses of both products.
Spokenly
- +Completely free with local models and BYOK
- +MCP server for AI coding agent integration
- +Agent mode for voice-controlled macOS automation
- +Bash script hooks for custom automations
- +One optional Pro subscription covers macOS and iOS
- +Works on Intel Macs with cloud models
- +Custom iOS dictation keyboard
- +File transcription support
- -Not open source
- -No automatic app detection (Power Mode)
- -No custom vocabulary dictionary
VoiceInk
- +Open source (GPLv3), fully auditable
- +One-time purchase, no subscription
- +Power Mode with automatic app detection
- +Custom vocabulary and Smart Replace
- +Active community (4,100+ GitHub stars)
- +Can be built from source for free
- -Requires $25+ purchase for official build
- -Apple Silicon only, no Intel Mac support
- -No MCP coding agent integration
- -No voice-controlled macOS automation
- -No bash script hooks
- -iOS app lower rated (4.2/5) with reported stability issues
- -No file transcription
- -iOS keyboard extension less stable than macOS
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Spokenly if you...
- You want completely free local + BYOK cloud dictation
- You use AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Amp)
- You want voice-controlled macOS automation
- You need bash script hooks for custom workflows
- You have an Intel Mac (cloud models supported)
- You want a polished iOS dictation keyboard
Choose VoiceInk if you...
- -You prefer open source software you can audit and build
- -You want automatic app detection (Power Mode)
- -You prefer a one-time purchase with no subscription option
- -You want a custom vocabulary dictionary
Switching from VoiceInk
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 purchase or account needed.
- 3If you have API keys from Groq, Deepgram, or OpenAI, add them in Spokenly Settings for free cloud transcription.
- 4Set your preferred keyboard shortcut. Spokenly works system-wide in any app, just like VoiceInk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spokenly really free compared to VoiceInk?
Yes. Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys. No purchase, no trial, no limits. VoiceInk requires a $25+ one-time purchase for the official build, though it can be built from source for free since it is open source.
Do both dictation apps work offline?
Yes. Both Spokenly and VoiceInk run Whisper and Parakeet models locally on Apple Silicon. Audio never leaves your device in offline mode. Both apps process speech-to-text entirely on the Neural Engine.
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. Bash script hooks automate pre/post processing. VoiceInk has a Code mode and works in Cursor, but does not integrate with AI agents via MCP.
Is VoiceInk really open source?
Yes. VoiceInk is licensed under GPLv3 and has 4,100+ GitHub stars. You can audit the code, build from source, and contribute. Spokenly is a closed-source commercial product.
Which speech-to-text app has better privacy?
Both prioritize privacy with 100% local processing by default. Neither sends audio to servers in offline mode. Spokenly adds a Local Only Mode that blocks all network requests. VoiceInk's Cloud Enhancement sends only transcribed text (not audio) to AI providers when enabled.
Does VoiceInk work on Intel Macs?
No. VoiceInk requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later). Spokenly supports Intel Macs with cloud models, while local models require Apple Silicon on both apps.
Can I switch from VoiceInk to Spokenly?
Yes. Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and start dictating with free local models immediately. If you have API keys, add them in Settings for free cloud transcription. The switch takes under two minutes.
What is VoiceInk's Power Mode?
Power Mode automatically detects your active app and URL, then applies context-specific dictation settings. For example, it switches to Email mode in Gmail and Code mode in Cursor. Spokenly does not have automatic app detection and requires manual prompt selection.
Which is the best Mac dictation app in 2026?
It depends on your priorities. Spokenly is best for developers who want free BYOK cloud transcription, MCP coding agent integration, and voice automation. VoiceInk is best for open source enthusiasts who want a one-time purchase with automatic app detection. Both are significant 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 VoiceInk on their official website.