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Spokenly vs Voicy
Free offline-first dictation with BYOK vs cross-platform cloud-only service with AI rephrasing.
Updated March 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly is completely free with local models and BYOK cloud transcription. Voicy costs $8.49/mo and is cloud-only (powered by Groq/Whisper V3) with no offline mode. Voicy has cross-platform support (Mac, Windows, Chrome) and AI rephrasing commands. Spokenly wins on free BYOK, offline mode, privacy, MCP integration, iOS app, file transcription, and 100+ languages.
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)
- Full offline mode, audio never leaves device
- Agent mode: voice-controlled macOS automation
- 100,000+ users, 4.9 App Store rating
Voicy
- -Cloud-only: $8.49/mo or $220 lifetime
- -macOS, Windows, Chrome extension
- -AI rephrase commands (formal, professional, custom)
- -Powered by Groq/Whisper V3
- -50+ languages
- -40-minute free trial
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | Voicy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free with BYOK, Pro $9.99/mo | $8.49/mo |
| Free tier | Unlimited local + BYOK cloud | 40-minute trial |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS | macOS, Windows, Chrome |
| iOS app | Yes, with custom keyboard | No |
| Offline mode | Full offline with local models | No |
| BYOK (own API keys) | Yes, free | No |
| Privacy (local mode) | Audio stays on device | Cloud processing (Groq) |
| Languages | 100+ | 50+ |
| AI text processing | GPT-4, Claude, custom prompts | AI rephrase commands |
| 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 |
| File transcription | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker diarization | Yes | No |
| Chrome extension | No | Yes |
| Windows support | No | Yes |
| Lifetime option | No | $220 |
| Custom keyboard (iOS) | Yes | No |
Pricing: Spokenly vs Voicy
Spokenly is completely free with local models and BYOK cloud transcription. Unlimited usage at zero cost.
Voicy costs $8.49/mo or $220 lifetime. The free trial gives 40 minutes only. No BYOK option.
If you already have API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq, Spokenly gives you cloud transcription at zero cost. Voicy requires the subscription regardless.
The Core Difference: Privacy-First vs Cloud Convenience
Voicy is a cloud-only service powered by Groq's hosted Whisper V3. Audio is sent to their servers, processed, and deleted. There is no offline mode. The convenience is cross-platform access (Mac, Windows, Chrome extension) and AI rephrasing that converts casual dictation to formal text.
Spokenly gives you both local and cloud options. Run Whisper and Parakeet models entirely offline, or use BYOK for cloud transcription. Audio can stay 100% on your device.
For developers, Spokenly's MCP server lets AI coding agents receive voice input directly. Bash script hooks and Agent mode add programmable automation. Voicy has no developer-specific features.
Voicy's advantage is platform breadth: it works on Windows and has a Chrome extension. If you need dictation outside macOS/iOS, Voicy covers more ground. But it comes at the cost of privacy and offline capability.
Real-World Use Cases
How Spokenly and Voicy fit into different workflows.
Developers Using AI Coding Agents
Spokenly's MCP server lets AI coding agents like Claude Code receive voice input. Voicy has no agent integration or developer features.
Cross-Platform Users
Voicy works on macOS, Windows, and Chrome. If you need dictation on Windows or in the browser, Voicy covers those platforms. Spokenly is macOS and iOS only.
Privacy-Conscious Users
Spokenly's offline mode keeps audio on-device. Voicy sends all audio to Groq's cloud. For sensitive work, Spokenly provides stronger privacy.
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
- +Full offline mode, audio never leaves device
- +MCP server for AI coding agents
- +iOS app with custom keyboard
- +File transcription with subtitle export
- +100+ languages
- +Speaker diarization
- -No Windows support
- -No Chrome extension
- -No lifetime purchase option
Voicy
- +Cross-platform: Mac, Windows, Chrome
- +AI rephrase commands
- +Lifetime purchase option ($220)
- +File transcription with batch processing
- +System-wide desktop dictation
- -No offline mode, cloud-only
- -No BYOK
- -Audio sent to third-party cloud (Groq)
- -No iOS app
- -50+ languages (vs 100+)
- -No MCP agent integration
- -No macOS automation
- -40-minute trial only
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Spokenly if you...
- You want free BYOK cloud transcription
- Privacy matters and you want audio on your device
- You use AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Amp)
- You need an iOS app with custom keyboard
- You need file transcription
- You want 100+ languages
Choose Voicy if you...
- -You need Windows support
- -You want a Chrome extension for browser dictation
- -You prefer a lifetime purchase option
- -AI rephrasing commands are important
Switching from Voicy
Getting started takes a few minutes.
- 1Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and install it on your Mac.
- 2Start dictating immediately with free local models. No trial limits.
- 3Optionally, add API keys in Settings for free cloud transcription.
- 4Set your preferred keyboard shortcut. Spokenly works system-wide, just like Voicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Spokenly work offline?
Yes. Spokenly includes free local models. Voicy requires an internet connection for all features.
Is Spokenly really free?
Yes. Local and BYOK cloud are free. Voicy costs $8.49/mo or $220 lifetime, with a 40-minute trial.
Does Voicy work on Windows?
Yes. Voicy has a Windows app and Chrome extension. Spokenly is macOS and iOS only.
Can I switch from Voicy to Spokenly?
Yes. Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and start dictating for free immediately.
Which is the best Mac dictation app in 2026?
Spokenly for privacy, BYOK, and developer workflows. Voicy for cross-platform and AI rephrasing. Both beat 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 Voicy on their official website.