vs
The live-dictation MacWhisper alternative
Free for Mac with local Whisper and BYOK cloud. MacWhisper is excellent for transcribing audio files; Spokenly is dictation-first, works on iOS too, and adds MCP for AI coding agents.
Updated
Side-by-side cost
MacWhisper
$69 one-time
Spokenly
Free, Pro $9.99/mo
You save
Up to $69
Why switch from MacWhisper to Spokenly
Built for live dictation
MacWhisper is file-first. Spokenly is dictation-first, with sub-second latency at the cursor in any app.
Native iOS app with custom keyboard
Spokenly works system-wide on iPhone. MacWhisper iOS is more limited compared to the Mac version.
MCP server for AI coding agents
Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor can request voice input from Spokenly directly. MacWhisper has no MCP integration.
Agent mode
Spokenly's agent mode triggers macOS automation by voice. MacWhisper doesn't do voice-controlled automation.
Bash script hooks
Run pre and post-processing scripts on transcribed text. MacWhisper has no programmable hooks.
Cloud BYOK across providers
Use your own OpenAI, Deepgram, Soniox, Cartesia, or Fireworks keys with Spokenly. MacWhisper supports BYOK only behind the Pro paywall.
Side-by-side: where Spokenly differs
| Feature | Spokenly | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Live dictation focus | Yes, primary feature | Yes, secondary |
| File transcription | Yes | Yes, primary feature |
| Subtitle/SRT export | Yes | Yes, advanced |
| Batch/folder processing | Single file | Yes (Pro) |
| iOS custom keyboard | Yes | Limited |
| MCP for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Agent mode automation | Yes | No |
| Bash script hooks | Yes | No |
| Speaker diarization | Yes | Yes (Pro) |
| Cost to start | Free | $69 lifetime |
| BYOK cloud models | Yes | Pro only |
| Student discount | 50% off | 25% off |
How to switch from MacWhisper in 5 minutes
- 1Keep MacWhisper for batch file transcription if you use it that way. It's still excellent.
- 2Download Spokenly for live dictation from spokenly.app/download.
- 3Pick a local Parakeet or Whisper model in Spokenly Settings.
- 4Set your dictation shortcut, then dictate system-wide.
- 5Optional: install Spokenly on your iPhone and add the custom keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep MacWhisper for files?
Yes, if you already use it for batch file transcription. MacWhisper has strong subtitle export and bulk processing. Spokenly is the better choice for live dictation, so many users run both.
Can Spokenly transcribe audio files like MacWhisper?
Yes. Spokenly has file transcription with subtitle export. MacWhisper has more advanced batch features for podcast and video workflows.
Does Spokenly use the same Whisper models?
Spokenly supports Parakeet and Whisper Large V3 Turbo locally, plus BYOK for OpenAI's GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova, and Groq Whisper. MacWhisper uses similar local models with a different UI.
Is Spokenly faster at live dictation?
Spokenly is optimized for sub-second latency at the cursor. MacWhisper's live dictation is functional but its primary focus is files.
Can I use my MacWhisper Pro license?
MacWhisper and Spokenly are separate products with separate licenses. You can keep MacWhisper Pro and start using Spokenly's free tier without any conflict. Spokenly Pro is $9.99/mo if you want premium cloud features (see spokenly.app/pricing).
Why is Spokenly free if MacWhisper costs $69?
Spokenly's local Parakeet and Whisper models run on your Mac with no per-minute cost to us, so the local tier is free forever. MacWhisper sells one-time Pro licenses ($69) or annual ($29.99/yr) for additional features. Students get 50% off Spokenly Pro at spokenly.app/students.
Ready to try Spokenly?
Free to use with local models. No account required.
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This page is published by Spokenly. Pricing reflects publicly available information at the time of writing. Learn more about MacWhisper on their official site.