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Spokenly vs Wispr Flow
Compare free local dictation, cloud plans, and the different ways Spokenly and Wispr Flow work with agents.
Updated September 2026
Download SpokenlyQuick Answer
Spokenly is completely free with local models and bring-your-own API keys; cloud providers bill separately for usage. Choose local models for unlimited offline dictation on Mac, Windows, Linux, or iPhone. Wispr Flow offers free cloud dictation with desktop and iPhone word caps, unlimited Android dictation, and Pro at $15/month. Its Notetaker shares meeting notes through MCP; Spokenly's macOS sideload app uses MCP for spoken answers to agents.
Spokenly
- Local + cloud: free offline models and premium cloud engines
- macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux; Pro access varies by build and purchase source
- Full offline mode available, audio never has to leave your device
- MCP voice input for coding agents in the macOS sideload app
- No Spokenly fee with your own keys; provider usage billed separately
- 100,000+ users, 4.8 App Store rating
Wispr Flow
- -Cloud-based AI dictation with text rewriting
- -macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- -Requires internet connection for all features
- -Free plan; Pro $15/month or $144/year
- -Notetaker meeting notes accessible through MCP
- -Team and enterprise features available
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of key features and capabilities.
| Feature | Spokenly | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free local; Pro $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr | Free; Pro $15/mo or $144/yr |
| Free tier | Unlimited local transcription | 2,000 words/week desktop; 1,000 iPhone; unlimited Android |
| Student discount | 50% off Pro | Yes (50% off) |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux | 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, AI Instructions | Built-in AI rewriting |
| Modes with AI Instructions | Full control, user-defined | No |
| MCP integration | Voice answers for agents (macOS sideload) | Access to Notetaker meeting notes |
| BYOK (own API keys) | Yes; provider usage billed separately | No |
| Agent mode | Voice-controlled macOS automation | No |
| Bash script hooks | Pre/post AI processing scripts | No |
| Team features | Team subscription and invitations | Team billing, shared dictionary, admin controls |
| Android support | No | Yes |
| File transcription | Yes | No |
| Custom keyboard (iOS) | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Spokenly vs Wispr Flow
Spokenly is completely free with local models and your own API keys. Local transcription has no account requirement or word cap. For cloud transcription with your own keys, you pay the provider's usage rates; Spokenly adds no fee.
Wispr Flow Free includes 2,000 words per week on Mac and Windows, 1,000 on iPhone, and unlimited dictation on Android. Pro is $15/month or $144/year and removes the desktop and iPhone caps. Dictation uses cloud processing.
Spokenly Pro adds managed cloud transcription for $9.99/month or $99.99/year on the website. It is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPhone, with activation depending on the platform and purchase source.
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.
Both apps offer a free tier. Spokenly's local dictation has no word cap, while its bring-your-own-key cloud option has a separate provider bill. Wispr Flow Free includes cloud dictation with desktop and iPhone caps. Compare those limits with your daily usage before choosing a paid plan.
The MCP workflows are different. Spokenly's macOS sideload app lets Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor request a spoken answer while working on a task. Wispr Flow's Notetaker exposes meeting notes through MCP so an agent can use recorded meeting context. Spokenly also offers modes with AI Instructions and macOS Agent Mode for automation.
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
Dictate code comments, documentation, and prompts into your editor. In Spokenly's macOS sideload app, Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor can also request spoken answers through MCP. Wispr Flow's MCP integration supplies Notetaker meeting notes to agents.
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.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Where each app is strong, and where it falls short.
Spokenly
- +Both local and cloud transcription in one app
- +Free unlimited offline speech-to-text
- +True offline mode with no data leaving your device
- +Pro is available across macOS, Windows, Linux, and iOS; access varies by build and purchase source
- +Bring your own API keys with no Spokenly fee; provider usage billed separately
- +Agent mode for voice-controlled macOS automation
- +Full control over AI Instructions, MCP server for coding agents
- -No Android app
- -MCP voice tools require the macOS sideload app
- -Local model availability and performance vary by device
Wispr Flow
- +Cross-platform including Android
- +Built-in AI text rewriting without extra setup
- +Team collaboration features
- +Polished onboarding experience
- -Requires internet for all features
- -Free tier caps desktop at 2,000 words/week and iPhone at 1,000
- -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 Mac, Windows, Linux, or 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 an Android app
- -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 for your platform.
- 2Choose and download a local model for free offline dictation. No account is required for local use.
- 3For cloud transcription, add your own API key and pay the provider's usage rates, or activate Spokenly Pro.
- 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 requirement or word caps. With your own API keys, Spokenly charges nothing but the provider bills for usage. Pro adds managed cloud models for $9.99/month or $99.99/year on the website.
Do both dictation apps have an iPhone app?
Yes. Both Spokenly and Wispr Flow have native iOS apps with custom dictation keyboards. Spokenly Pro is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPhone, but sign-in, restore, or linking varies by build and purchase source.
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 an Android app 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 download a local model for free offline dictation. No account is needed for local use. Set your preferred shortcut; existing Wispr Flow history does not transfer automatically.
Does Spokenly support team features?
Yes. Spokenly offers a team subscription with multiple seats and invitations at spokenly.app/team. Wispr Flow also offers team billing, shared dictionaries, and admin controls. Compare the specific collaboration features your team needs.
Can I use Spokenly for voice typing with AI coding agents?
Yes. Spokenly's macOS sideload app includes an MCP server for spoken answers to Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor. Wispr Flow also supports MCP, for accessing Notetaker meeting notes. System-wide dictation in Spokenly does not require MCP.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
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This comparison is published by Spokenly. We aim for accuracy and transparency and will update this page as both products evolve. Learn more about Wispr Flow on their official website.