BetterWisprDictate into Mac apps with local speech recognition and saved transcription history.
Free and open source. Local models use your Mac; no account or API key needed. Optional cloud services may cost extra.
Voice & transcription
OpenWhispr
Free optionLocal
Use hotkey dictation and paste speech as text with local models.
What you can use it for
Use hotkey dictation and paste speech as text with local models.
- Use hotkey dictation and paste speech as text with local models.
Workflow coverage and comparison notes
Everyday voice-to-text dictation without Wispr Flow’s free-word limit; advanced rewriting differs. Use hotkey dictation and paste speech as text with local models. For Superwhisper: Hotkey dictation into other applications using downloaded local speech models. Not complete Superwhisper mode customization, meeting notes, rewriting, file transcription or mobile parity. Supported systems and model requirements differ. Additional comparison: Local Whisper/Parakeet dictation pasted into applications. Not Dragon command-and-control, specialist vocabulary or exact recognition parity. Use local models for the free route; optional hosted models require separately billed API keys.
Before you switch
Unlimited local mode is separate from the capped hosted cloud plan. Requires permissions and local model setup; not a meeting recording service.
Alternatives to these paid apps
Each comparison covers the workflow described above, rather than every paid feature.
More for the same workflow
See alternatives →BetterWispr
whisper.cppTranscribe recorded audio into text on your own computer.
Free software. Your hardware + a downloaded model.
WillowDictate messages, emails and documents directly into the apps where you type.
Free Basic: unlimited Frontier Mini dictation · 20 Scribe uses/week