iOS dictation
Best dictation app for iPhone, free and Whisper-accurate
Free iPhone dictation with modern local and BYOK cloud models, plus a system-wide keyboard. Push-to-talk in Messages, Mail, Notes, Slack, Notion, ChatGPT, Safari, and every iOS app.
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Why Spokenly fits iphone dictation
System-wide custom keyboard
Spokenly's iOS keyboard works in every app. Tap the mic key, speak, and Whisper-grade text appears. Same UX as the system keyboard.
State-of-the-art accuracy
Significantly more accurate than Apple Dictation, especially for technical terms, names, and longer dictations.
Free with no usage limits
Local Parakeet model is free with unlimited dictation. Pro adds cloud models, but BYOK with your own API keys is also free.
100+ languages
Whisper supports 100+ languages with one model. Switch languages in your dictation without changing keyboard layout.
Mac and iPhone with one subscription
One Spokenly Pro subscription works on both Mac and iPhone. Dictate on iPhone for quick capture, switch to your Mac for longer-form work.
Local Only Mode
Switch to local Parakeet and audio stays on your iPhone. Local Only Mode disables cloud transcription so dictation can run without network calls.
Accessibility-first
Designed for users with motor impairments and RSI. Works alongside VoiceOver and other iOS accessibility features.
Workflows
- 1
Quick replies in Messages and Mail
Tap the Spokenly keyboard, speak, and your reply is ready. Faster than two-thumb typing, more accurate than Apple Dictation.
- 2
Long notes in Notes, Notion, or Bear
Capture meeting notes, journal entries, or shopping lists by voice. Whisper handles long monologues without dropping words.
- 3
ChatGPT and Claude prompts on the go
Speak detailed prompts into AI chat apps directly from your iPhone. Spokenly works in any iOS app's text field.
- 4
Multilingual texting
Switch languages mid-conversation. Spokenly transcribes Spanish, German, Japanese, or any of 100+ languages without keyboard changes.
- 5
Voice memos turned to text
Record voice memos in iOS, then transcribe them with Spokenly's file transcription on Mac. Subtitle export included.
Spokenly vs typical iphone dictation solutions
| Feature | Spokenly | Apple iOS Dictation & other apps |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free with local model | Free / $5 to $15 per month |
| Custom system keyboard | Yes | Sometimes (often app-only) |
| Modern transcription stack | Cloud + Parakeet local | Often older models |
| Offline mode | Yes (Parakeet) | Often cloud-only |
| BYOK | Yes | Rarely |
| Mac + iPhone, one subscription | Yes | Mobile-only typically |
| 100+ languages | Yes | 20 to 50 typical |
| Privacy mode | Local Only Mode | Cloud-default |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Spokenly's iPhone keyboard different from Apple Dictation?
Spokenly's keyboard runs Parakeet locally or modern Whisper-class cloud models, which can perform better than Apple Dictation on technical terms and longer dictations. It looks and behaves like a system keyboard so you can use it as your daily driver. See spokenly.app/apple-dictation-alternative for a feature-by-feature comparison.
Does Spokenly keyboard work in every iOS app?
Yes. Once enabled in iOS Settings as a third-party keyboard with full access, Spokenly works in every app: Messages, Mail, Notes, Slack, Notion, Reddit, X, Discord, ChatGPT, Claude, Linear, anywhere you can type.
Is the iOS app free?
Yes. The local Parakeet model is free with no usage limits. Pro adds cloud transcription models, but BYOK with your own OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq keys is also free.
Will Spokenly drain my iPhone battery?
Parakeet is optimized for the Apple Neural Engine on iPhone. Battery usage is minimal during dictation and zero when idle. Cloud models use less device battery than local but require network.
Does Spokenly work alongside the Mac app?
Yes. One Pro subscription covers both Mac and iPhone, so you can dictate on either device. See spokenly.app/dictation-for-mac for the desktop feature list.
Will my dictations be private?
With Parakeet local mode, audio stays on your iPhone. Cloud models send audio to the provider you chose (OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq) under that provider's policies. Local Only Mode disables cloud transcription for dictation.
How do I install the keyboard?
Download Spokenly from the App Store. Open iOS Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard > Spokenly. Then tap Spokenly and enable Allow Full Access. Setup takes about 30 seconds.
Why does Spokenly need 'Allow Full Access'?
iOS sandbox requires Allow Full Access for any keyboard that connects to the internet (cloud transcription). With local Parakeet only, you can deny it and Spokenly still works offline.
What iOS version is required?
Spokenly's iOS app requires iOS 16 or later. The custom keyboard works on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Latest features like sync need iOS 17+.
Does Spokenly work on iPad?
Yes. The same Spokenly iOS app installs on iPad with the same custom keyboard. Particularly useful for iPad Pro users who write long-form content.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
Download for macOS