TL;DR
Choose OpenWhispr if you want free local models, your own API keys and desktop meeting notes, including on Linux.
Choose Wispr Flow if you want polished cloud dictation on desktop and phone with team features and a Notetaker.
Choose Voicy if you want ready-to-use dictation on Mac, Windows, Linux, the browser, iPhone and Android, with offline mode and file transcription.
Pricing snapshot: OpenWhispr is free for local models; Pro is $8/month or $80/year. Wispr Flow Pro is $15/month or $144/year. Voicy is $8.49/month, $82/year or $260 lifetime.
Privacy snapshot: OpenWhispr can transcribe locally. Wispr Flow always transcribes in the cloud. Voicy is cloud by default with an offline mode on desktop.
OpenWhispr is the do-it-yourself pick and Wispr Flow is the managed pick. Voicy sits in between: no models to configure, but offline dictation on desktop, apps on every device, and a lower price than Wispr Flow.
Answer-First Verdict
OpenWhispr wins on control and price. It is open source, lets you run local models for free or bring your own provider, and runs on Linux as well as Mac and Windows.
Wispr Flow wins on polish. It cleans up your writing automatically, works on iPhone and Android, and adds team vocabulary, snippets and admin controls. It needs the internet for every dictation.
Voicy belongs in this decision if you want Wispr Flow-style simplicity with OpenWhispr-style offline dictation and Linux support, on every device.
OpenWhispr combines local or bring-your-own-key dictation with notes and meetings on the desktop.
Wispr Flow is a cloud dictation service for desktop and phone, with team features and a Notetaker.
OpenWhispr vs Wispr Flow at a Glance
Category | OpenWhispr | Wispr Flow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Local or bring-your-own-key dictation with notes | Managed cloud dictation and teams | Depends on control vs convenience. |
Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux; iOS companion. | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android. | OpenWhispr on Linux; Wispr Flow on phones. |
Free plan | Unlimited local models; 2,000 cloud words a week. | Weekly dictation allowance. | OpenWhispr. |
Pro price | $8/month or $80/year. | $15/month or $144/year. | OpenWhispr. |
Offline dictation | Yes, with local models. | No; cloud only. | OpenWhispr. |
Meetings | Meeting capture and notes. | Notetaker. | Tie. |
Team features | Business plan. | Shared dictionary, snippets, admin. | Wispr Flow. |
Third option | Compare Voicy if you want less setup. | Compare Voicy for offline mode and a lower price. | Voicy for simple dictation everywhere. |
When OpenWhispr Is the Better Choice
OpenWhispr is the better fit when you want to choose your own speech model, keep recognition local, or bring your own API key. For a closer look, see our full OpenWhispr review.
You want free, unlimited local dictation.
You use Linux.
You want meeting notes in the same desktop app.
You enjoy configuring models and providers.
OpenWhispr is an app, not the OpenAI Whisper model, and its mobile support is a companion app.
When Wispr Flow Is the Better Choice
Wispr Flow is the better fit when you want finished-sounding dictation with no setup on desktop and phone. For a closer look, see our full Wispr Flow review.
You dictate on iPhone or Android.
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 dictation that just works on every device, without configuring models or paying Wispr Flow prices.
Voicy adds what neither app offers in one place:
Every device: Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and a browser extension.
Offline mode on Mac, Windows and Linux with no model choices to make.
File transcription: upload audio or video of up to 60 minutes each.
Rewriting: Rewrite Mode turns rough speech into a polished message.
Lower price than Wispr Flow: $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 | OpenWhispr Pro | Wispr Flow Pro | Voicy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free use | Unlimited local models. | Weekly allowance. | Free trial with 30 minutes of recording. | OpenWhispr. |
12 months, annual billing | $80 | $144 | $82 | OpenWhispr, with Voicy $2 behind. |
3 years | $240 | $432 | $246 annual, or $260 lifetime | OpenWhispr. |
5 years | $400 | $720 | $260 lifetime | Voicy lifetime. |
OpenWhispr and Voicy cost about the same per year, both far less than Wispr Flow. Over five years, Voicy's lifetime licence is the cheapest paid option.
Privacy, Cloud, and Offline Processing
OpenWhispr's privacy policy says desktop dictation audio is kept locally for 30 days by default, with controls to change that. Desktop cloud backup is off by default, paid mobile backup is on by default, and shared or team notes are stored in the cloud. Local models keep recognition on your device.
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
OpenWhispr is the best pick for tinkerers who want local models and Linux. Wispr Flow is the polished pick for phone users and teams.
If you want simple dictation on every device, with offline mode, file transcription and a lower price than Wispr Flow, choose Voicy.
FAQs
Is OpenWhispr better than Wispr Flow?
OpenWhispr is better for free local models, your own API keys and Linux. Wispr Flow is better for polished cloud dictation on phones and for teams. If you want simple dictation on every device with offline mode, compare Voicy.
Is OpenWhispr the same as OpenAI Whisper?
No. OpenWhispr is a desktop dictation and notes app. OpenAI Whisper is a speech recognition model that many apps can use.
Is OpenWhispr cheaper than Wispr Flow?
Yes. OpenWhispr Pro is $80 a year and Wispr Flow Pro is $144 a year. Local models in OpenWhispr are free.
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.
Do both apps take meeting notes?
Yes. OpenWhispr has meeting capture and notes, and Wispr Flow has a Notetaker.
Which works on Linux?
OpenWhispr and Voicy both have Linux apps. Wispr Flow lists Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.
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 needs no model setup. 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.