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VoiceInk Alternative: Free Dictation for Mac and iPhone
VoiceInk is a one-time purchase of $25 to $49. Spokenly is free with local models and BYOK cloud, with a native iOS keyboard and MCP for AI coding agents.
Updated
Cost comparison
Spokenly
Free forever
VoiceInk
$25 to $49 one-time
You save
$25 to $49 upfront
Why switch from VoiceInk to Spokenly
Free, no upfront fee
VoiceInk charges a single upfront fee of $25 to $49. Spokenly is free with local models and BYOK cloud, with no time, word, or session limits. Pro at $9.99/mo is optional and only adds managed cloud.
Cloud models when you want them
Spokenly adds cloud transcription for top accuracy, free with your own OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq key, or fully managed on Pro. VoiceInk transcribes on device only, with no cloud models.
MCP for AI coding agents
Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor can call Spokenly directly when they need voice input. VoiceInk has no MCP integration.
Agent mode and bash hooks
Trigger macOS actions by voice with agent mode, and run pre or post scripts on transcribed text. VoiceInk has neither.
File transcription built in
Drop in an audio or video file and get text, with SRT and VTT export. VoiceInk does not transcribe files.
Works on Intel Macs
Spokenly runs on Intel Macs with cloud models. VoiceInk is Apple Silicon only.
Side-by-side: where Spokenly differs
| Feature | Spokenly | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, Pro $9.99/mo | $25 to $49 one-time |
| Free tier | Unlimited local + BYOK | 7-day trial, then paid |
| Cloud transcription | Yes, BYOK or Pro | No, on-device only |
| MCP for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Agent mode | Yes | No |
| File transcription | Yes | No |
| Speaker diarization | Yes | No |
| Custom vocabulary | No | Yes |
| Power Mode (auto app detection) | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes, GPLv3 |
How to switch from VoiceInk in 5 minutes
- 1Download Spokenly from spokenly.app/download. It is free, with no trial clock.
- 2Open Settings and pick a model. Local Parakeet or Whisper are free and run offline, or add your own API key for free cloud transcription.
- 3Set your dictation shortcut. Most users pick Right Option or Fn.
- 4Recreate your VoiceInk modes as Spokenly custom prompts. Each takes about a minute.
- 5Optional: paste your OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq key in BYOK Settings, and enable the MCP server for Claude Code or Cursor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spokenly really free if VoiceInk is a one-time purchase?
Yes. Spokenly is free with local models and bring-your-own API keys, with no purchase and no limits. The official VoiceInk build costs $25 to $49. It is open source, so a technical user can compile it for free, but that takes setup Spokenly does not require.
I already paid for VoiceInk. Is it worth switching?
Keep VoiceInk if you like it. Spokenly adds what it cannot do: MCP for AI coding agents, agent mode, file transcription with SRT and VTT, an iOS keyboard, and Intel Mac support, all free to run. Many people use both, then settle on Spokenly.
Does Spokenly work offline like VoiceInk?
Yes. With local Parakeet or Whisper models, transcription happens on your Mac and iPhone, and no audio leaves the device.
Is VoiceInk still a good choice?
For the right person, yes. VoiceInk is open source under GPLv3, has Power Mode for automatic app detection, a custom vocabulary, and a one-time price. If those matter most to you, it is a strong pick.
Does Spokenly run on Intel Macs?
Yes, with cloud models. VoiceInk requires Apple Silicon. Local models on Spokenly also need Apple Silicon, but Intel users can use BYOK or Pro cloud transcription.
Which is better for developers?
Spokenly is better for developers. Its MCP server lets AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor receive voice input directly, and bash hooks automate pre and post processing. VoiceInk has a Code mode but no MCP integration.
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 VoiceInk on their official site.