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Spokenly vs Wispr Flow
Local + cloud speech-to-text dictation app with a free tier vs cloud-only subscription service.
Updated March 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys. No subscription required for offline or cloud speech-to-text. Wispr Flow costs $15/mo with a limited free tier (2,000 words/week) and no offline mode. Choose Wispr Flow if you need Windows/Android support or team collaboration.
Spokenly
- Local + cloud: free offline models and premium cloud engines
- macOS + iOS with one subscription
- Full offline mode available, audio never has to leave your device
- Custom AI prompts and MCP integration for coding agents
- Completely free with BYOK, optional Pro at $9.99/mo
- 100,000+ users, 4.9 App Store rating
Wispr Flow
- -Cloud-based AI dictation with text rewriting
- -macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- -Requires internet connection for all features
- -$15/mo
- -Team and enterprise features available
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free with BYOK, Pro $9.99/mo | $15/mo |
| Free tier | Unlimited local transcription | 2,000 words/week |
| Student discount | No | Yes (50% off) |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Cloud transcription | Yes, with BYOK or Pro | Yes, always |
| Offline mode | Full offline with local models | No |
| Privacy | Audio stays on device (local mode) | Cloud processing required |
| Languages | 100+ | 100+ |
| AI text processing | GPT-4, Claude, custom prompts | Built-in AI rewriting |
| Custom AI prompts | Full control, user-defined | No |
| Coding agent integration | MCP server for AI agents | No |
| BYOK (own API keys) | Yes, free | No |
| Agent mode | Voice-controlled macOS automation | No |
| Bash script hooks | Pre/post AI processing scripts | No |
| Team features | No | Yes |
| Windows support | No | Yes |
| File transcription | Yes | No |
| Custom keyboard (iOS) | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Spokenly vs Wispr Flow
Spokenly can be completely free. Local transcription with Whisper and Parakeet models costs nothing: no account, no time limit, no word cap. If you want cloud accuracy, bring your own API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq at zero markup. You get premium speech-to-text without paying a subscription.
Wispr Flow takes the opposite approach: $15/mo for unlimited use, a limited free tier (2,000 words/week), no BYOK, and no offline mode. Every word you dictate is processed on their cloud servers.
For users who want managed cloud models without handling API keys, Spokenly Pro at $9.99/mo covers both Mac and iPhone and is cheaper than Wispr Flow's $15/mo. But the real value is that Spokenly's free tier with BYOK gives you cloud-quality transcription at zero cost.
The Core Difference: Choice vs Lock-in
Spokenly vs Wispr Flow comes down to a fundamental architecture decision. Wispr Flow is a cloud-only dictation app: every word you say is sent to their servers for processing, and there is no way to use it offline. Spokenly gives you both options: free local models that keep audio entirely on your device, and cloud transcription engines when you want higher accuracy or specific features.
This flexibility matters for anyone who values privacy in their voice typing workflow. For sensitive work, enable Local Only Mode and block all network requests. For maximum accuracy, switch to a cloud model in one tap. You choose per-session, not per-subscription.
The pricing model is also different. Spokenly is completely free if you use local models or bring your own API keys. You get unlimited local speech-to-text plus cloud transcription via BYOK at zero cost. Wispr Flow requires a $15/mo subscription for any functionality. If you want managed cloud models without handling keys, Spokenly Pro is $9.99/mo and covers both your Mac and iPhone.
For developers and power users, Spokenly adds unique capabilities that Wispr Flow does not offer. The built-in MCP server lets AI coding agents like Claude Code use voice dictation directly. Custom AI prompts give you full control over how transcribed text is processed. Bash script hooks run before or after AI processing, letting you normalize jargon, expand abbreviations, or trigger automations like Apple Shortcuts. Agent mode turns voice commands into macOS automation actions. These features make Spokenly not just a dictation app, but a voice interface for your entire workflow.
Real-World Use Cases
How Spokenly and Wispr Flow fit into different workflows.
Writers & Journalists
Draft articles, notes, and long-form content at the speed of speech. Spokenly's offline mode means you can dictate on a plane, in a cafe with no Wi-Fi, or anywhere you want to write without distractions. Wispr Flow requires an internet connection, so your voice typing session depends on connectivity.
Developers & Technical Writers
Spokenly's MCP server integration lets AI coding agents receive voice input directly, making it the only Mac dictation app built for developer workflows. Dictate code comments, documentation, commit messages, or talk to Claude Code hands-free. Wispr Flow does not offer coding agent integration.
Privacy-Conscious Professionals
Lawyers, doctors, and anyone handling confidential information can use Spokenly's Local Only Mode to ensure audio never leaves their device. All speech-to-text processing happens on-device using Apple Silicon. Wispr Flow processes all audio in the cloud, which may not meet compliance requirements for sensitive data.
An Honest Comparison
We believe in transparency. Here are the real strengths and weaknesses of both products.
Spokenly
- +Both local and cloud transcription in one app
- +Free unlimited offline speech-to-text
- +True offline mode with no data leaving your device
- +One subscription covers macOS and iOS
- +Bring your own API keys for free cloud transcription
- +Agent mode for voice-controlled macOS automation
- +Full control over AI prompts, MCP server for coding agents
- -No Windows support
- -No team or enterprise features
- -Local models require Apple Silicon Mac
Wispr Flow
- +Cross-platform including Windows
- +Built-in AI text rewriting without extra setup
- +Team collaboration features
- +Polished onboarding experience
- -Requires internet for all features
- -Free tier limited to 2,000 words/week
- -Audio always processed in the cloud
- -Higher price point ($15/mo)
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Spokenly if you...
- Privacy matters and you want audio to stay on your device
- You want free unlimited voice typing with local models
- You use both Mac and iPhone
- You work with sensitive or confidential information
- You want to bring your own API keys
- You need a dictation app that integrates with coding agents
Choose Wispr Flow if you...
- -You need Windows support
- -You want built-in team collaboration
- -You prefer a fully cloud-managed experience
- -Enterprise features are important for your organization
Switching from Wispr Flow
Getting started takes a few minutes.
- 1Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and install it on your Mac.
- 2Launch Spokenly and start dictating immediately with free local models. No account or setup needed.
- 3Optionally, add your own API keys (OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq) in Settings for cloud transcription at no extra cost.
- 4Set your preferred keyboard shortcut for dictation. Spokenly works in any app, just like Wispr Flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Spokenly work completely offline?
Yes. Spokenly includes free local models (Whisper and Parakeet) that run entirely on your Mac using Apple Silicon. You can enable Local Only Mode to block all network requests. Wispr Flow requires an internet connection for all voice typing functionality.
Is Spokenly really free?
Local speech-to-text transcription with Whisper and Parakeet models is completely free with no account required, no time limits, and no word caps. You can also use your own API keys (OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq) for cloud models at no extra cost. Pro ($9.99/mo) adds managed cloud models and priority support.
Do both dictation apps have an iPhone app?
Yes. Both Spokenly and Wispr Flow have native iOS apps with custom dictation keyboards. Spokenly's single Pro subscription covers both Mac and iPhone.
Which speech-to-text app is more accurate?
Both use state-of-the-art speech recognition. Accuracy depends on the model you choose. Spokenly lets you pick from multiple engines (local Whisper, Parakeet, or cloud APIs like Deepgram and OpenAI) and switch freely. Wispr Flow uses its own cloud pipeline. For most English dictation, both apps deliver excellent accuracy.
Does Wispr Flow work offline?
No. Wispr Flow requires an internet connection for all features. All speech-to-text processing happens in the cloud. If you need offline voice typing, Spokenly's local models work without any network connection.
Which is the best Mac dictation app in 2026?
It depends on your priorities. If you value privacy, offline capability, and cost flexibility, Spokenly is the best choice. If you need Windows support or team features, Wispr Flow is worth considering. Both are significant upgrades over Apple's built-in dictation.
Can I switch from Wispr Flow to Spokenly?
Yes. Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download and start dictating immediately with free local models. No account needed, no data to migrate. Set your preferred shortcut key and you are ready to go. The entire switch takes under two minutes.
Does Spokenly support team features?
Not currently. Spokenly is focused on individual users and power users like developers. If you need team collaboration, shared vocabularies, or admin controls, Wispr Flow offers those features.
Can I use Spokenly for voice typing with AI coding agents?
Yes. Spokenly includes a built-in MCP server that lets AI coding agents like Claude Code receive voice input directly. This makes it the only dictation app designed for developer workflows. Wispr Flow does not offer coding agent integration.
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 Wispr Flow on their official website.