TL;DR
Choose FluidVoice if you use a Mac with macOS 15 or later and want free, local-first dictation.
Choose Wispr Flow if you want polished cloud dictation on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android with team features.
Choose Voicy if you want released apps for every device, including Linux and the browser, with offline mode on desktop and file transcription.
Pricing snapshot: FluidVoice is free. Wispr Flow Pro is $15/month or $144/year. Voicy is $8.49/month, $82/year or $260 lifetime.
Privacy snapshot: FluidVoice processes locally by default. Wispr Flow always transcribes in the cloud. Voicy is cloud by default with an offline mode on desktop.
FluidVoice is the free Mac pick; Wispr Flow is the polished cross-device pick. Voicy covers every device today with offline dictation on desktop, for much less than Wispr Flow.
Answer-First Verdict
FluidVoice wins on price and privacy for Mac users. It is free, open source and local-first, though it needs macOS 15 or later, and its Windows and iPhone apps are in beta.
Wispr Flow wins on polish and reach, with released apps for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, automatic cleanup and team features. It needs the internet for every dictation.
Voicy belongs in this decision if you want released apps everywhere, including Linux and the browser, plus offline dictation on desktop, at about half Wispr Flow's price.
FluidVoice is a free, local-first dictation app for Mac.
Wispr Flow is a cloud dictation service for desktop and phone, with team features and a Notetaker.
FluidVoice vs Wispr Flow at a Glance
Category | FluidVoice | Wispr Flow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Free local dictation on a recent Mac | Polished cloud dictation and teams | Depends on your devices. |
Platforms | Mac (macOS 15+); Windows and iPhone beta. | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android. | Wispr Flow. |
Price | Free. | $15/month or $144/year. | FluidVoice. |
Offline dictation | Local by default. | No; cloud only. | FluidVoice. |
AI cleanup | Local enhancement; optional providers. | Automatic cleanup. | Tie. |
Meetings | FluidMeet. | Notetaker. | Tie. |
Team features | No. | Shared dictionary, snippets, admin. | Wispr Flow. |
Third option | Compare Voicy beyond the Mac. | Compare Voicy for offline mode and price. | Voicy for every device. |
When FluidVoice Is the Better Choice
FluidVoice is the better fit when you only write on a recent Mac and want free, local dictation. For a closer look, see our full FluidVoice review.
You use a Mac with macOS 15 or later.
You want free, local dictation.
You want an open-source app.
You don't need phone apps yet.
Its Windows and iPhone apps are in beta, and Linux and Android are waitlisted.
When Wispr Flow Is the Better Choice
Wispr Flow is the better fit when you want polished dictation on desktop and phone, and your team shares vocabulary. For a closer look, see our full Wispr Flow review.
You dictate on Windows, iPhone or Android today.
Your team needs shared vocabulary and admin.
You want automatic cleanup.
You always have an internet connection.
Wispr Flow does not run on Linux and has no offline mode.
Where Voicy Fits
Voicy is the practical choice if you want released apps on every device, offline dictation on desktop, and a lower price than Wispr Flow.
Voicy adds what neither app offers in one place:
Every device, released: Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and a browser extension.
Offline mode on Mac, Windows and Linux, not just Mac.
File transcription: upload audio or video of up to 60 minutes each.
Rewriting: Rewrite Mode turns rough speech into a polished message.
About half Wispr Flow's price: $82 a year, or $260 once.
More than 10,000 people use Voicy, and they have dictated over 500 million words. Try Voicy free: the trial includes 30 minutes of recording and every feature, with no card needed.
Pricing and Cost Over Time
Scenario | FluidVoice | Wispr Flow Pro | Voicy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free use | Free app. | Weekly allowance. | Free trial with 30 minutes of recording. | FluidVoice. |
12 months, annual billing | $0 | $144 | $82 | FluidVoice; Voicy among paid apps. |
3 years | $0 | $432 | $246 annual, or $260 lifetime | FluidVoice; Voicy saves $186 against Wispr Flow. |
5 years | $0 | $720 | $260 lifetime | FluidVoice; Voicy saves $460 against Wispr Flow. |
FluidVoice is free on a recent Mac. Among apps with released Windows and phone versions, Voicy costs much less than Wispr Flow.
Privacy, Cloud, and Offline Processing
FluidVoice processes dictation locally by default; choosing a cloud AI provider changes where text is processed. Its README says detailed anonymous analytics are on by default and can be turned off, while a weekly batch of basic activity signals is still sent, without voice or transcript content.
Wispr Flow always transcribes in the cloud. Its privacy controls separate model training, cloud storage, context awareness and local history. Turning storage off does not make recognition local. Notetaker retention is managed separately, and organizational BAA controls are on Growth and Enterprise.
Voicy is cloud by default. In the Mac, Windows and Linux apps, offline mode runs normal dictation on your computer after a one-time model download, so that audio stays on your device. Rewrite Mode, Custom Modes and file transcription use the internet. Voicy does not keep normal recordings or transcripts on its servers or use them to train AI,.
Bottom Line
FluidVoice is the best free pick for a recent Mac. Wispr Flow is the polished pick for cross-device users and teams.
If you want released apps on every device, including Linux and the browser, with offline dictation on desktop and a lower price than Wispr Flow, choose Voicy.
FAQs
Is FluidVoice better than Wispr Flow?
FluidVoice is better for free, local dictation on a Mac with macOS 15 or later. Wispr Flow is better for polished dictation on Windows and phones, and for teams. If you want every device including Linux and the browser, compare Voicy.
Is FluidVoice free?
Yes. FluidVoice lists no app subscription. Optional external AI providers can add charges.
Does Wispr Flow work offline?
No. Wispr Flow transcribes in the cloud, so it needs an internet connection, even when cloud storage is turned off.
Does FluidVoice work on Windows and iPhone?
Both are in beta. Linux and Android are waitlisted. Wispr Flow and Voicy have released Windows, iPhone and Android apps.
Do both have meeting tools?
Yes. FluidVoice links to FluidMeet, and Wispr Flow has a Notetaker.
How much does Wispr Flow cost?
Wispr Flow has a Free plan with a weekly dictation allowance. Pro costs $15 per user per month, or $144 per year ($12 a month) billed annually.
Where does Voicy fit in this comparison?
Voicy is the all-device option: Mac, Windows, Linux, a browser extension, iPhone and Android, with offline dictation on desktop, rewriting and file transcription. It costs about half of Wispr Flow Pro. It costs $8.49 a month, $82 a year or $260 lifetime after a free trial.
Does Voicy have a free plan?
Voicy has a free trial with 30 minutes of recording and every feature, with no credit card. Paid plans are $8.49 per month, $82 per year, or $260 lifetime.