Superwhisper vs Spokenly: Which Dictation App Should You Choose in 2026?
Superwhisper vs Spokenly: Which Dictation App Should You Choose in 2026?
TL;DR
Choose Superwhisper if you want local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad.
Choose Spokenly if you want free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls.
Consider Voicy if you want live dictation plus uploaded-file transcription across more devices.
Pricing: Superwhisper Pro is $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime. New users get limited free access. Spokenly lists Local Models at $0 forever, Your API Keys at $0 forever, and Pro at $9.99/month or $99.99/year. BYOK can still create separate provider costs.
Superwhisper is better if you want a more polished local/cloud dictation app with file transcription and iPad support. Spokenly is better if free local dictation, Linux, BYOK, and local-only privacy controls matter most. Voicy is the third option if you want uploaded-file transcription and broader device coverage without managing local models.
Answer-First Verdict
Superwhisper and Spokenly both involve voice AI, but they fit different jobs. Superwhisper is strongest for local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. Spokenly is strongest for free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls.
Voicy is the third option if you want live dictation plus uploaded-file transcription across Mac, Windows, Linux, browser extension, iOS, and Android. Voicy is cloud-based, has a free trial only, and costs $8.49/month, $82/year, or $260 lifetime.
Superwhisper official page screenshot used for this comparison.
Spokenly official page screenshot used for this comparison.
Superwhisper vs Spokenly at a Glance
Category | Superwhisper | Spokenly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad | free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls | Depends on workflow. |
Platforms | macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. No official Android support was verified. | macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux in the main official pages checked. Android appears in the site footer, but the main checked sources focused on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux. | Choose based on required devices. |
Pricing | Superwhisper Pro is $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime. New users get limited free access. | Spokenly lists Local Models at $0 forever, Your API Keys at $0 forever, and Pro at $9.99/month or $99.99/year. BYOK can still create separate provider costs. | Depends on free limits, annual cost, and lifetime options. |
File transcription | Superwhisper supports external audio and video file transcription, including common formats such as MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, and WEBM. | No official uploaded-file transcription support was found in the checked Spokenly primary pages. Spokenly is positioned around live dictation, model control, history, replay, and export. | Choose the tool that clearly supports your recording workflow. |
Privacy and processing | Superwhisper has a strong local and offline privacy story, but some tools and cloud models are cloud-based. Use the app's local models when local processing is required. | Spokenly local models keep audio and transcriptions on device. Built-in cloud models send audio to Spokenly's backend and third-party transcription services, with no permanent copy on Spokenly servers. | Depends on local, cloud, and retention requirements. |
Third option | Compare against Voicy if Superwhisper is too narrow for your devices. | Compare against Voicy if Spokenly does not cover uploaded-file transcription. | Voicy for live dictation plus uploaded files in one workflow. |
When Superwhisper Is the Better Choice
Superwhisper is the better fit when your priority is local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. Pick it when its platform support, pricing model, and privacy tradeoffs match the way you work.
When Spokenly Is the Better Choice
Spokenly is the better fit when your priority is free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls. Pick it when that workflow is closer to your daily setup.
Pricing and Cost Over Time
Scenario | Superwhisper | Spokenly | Voicy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free use | Superwhisper Pro is $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime. New users get limited free access. | Spokenly lists Local Models at $0 forever, Your API Keys at $0 forever, and Pro at $9.99/month or $99.99/year. BYOK can still create separate provider costs. | Free trial only. | Depends on usable free limits. |
Monthly paid access | Use the paid plan that unlocks your needed workflow. | Use the paid plan that unlocks your needed workflow. | $8.49/month. | Voicy is easy to price, but compare exact plan limits. |
Annual paid access | Use the current annual or license price for your seat count. | Use the current annual or license price for your seat count. | $82/year. | Voicy if annual cost plus uploaded-file transcription matters. |
Three years | Local, one-time, or free options can win if they fit your workflow. | Subscription plans add up over time unless lifetime pricing is available. | $246 annual, or $260 lifetime. | Voicy lifetime can win for long-term individual use. |
Five years | Local, one-time, or free options can win if they fit your workflow. | Subscription plans add up over time unless lifetime pricing is available. | $410 annual, or $260 lifetime. | Voicy lifetime if you want one long-term purchase. |
Privacy, Cloud, and Offline Processing
Superwhisper has a strong local and offline privacy story, but some tools and cloud models are cloud-based. Use the app's local models when local processing is required.
Spokenly local models keep audio and transcriptions on device. Built-in cloud models send audio to Spokenly's backend and third-party transcription services, with no permanent copy on Spokenly servers.
Voicy is cloud-based. Use it when cloud processing is acceptable and workflow coverage matters more than a local-only requirement.
Bottom Line
Superwhisper is better if you want a more polished local/cloud dictation app with file transcription and iPad support. Spokenly is better if free local dictation, Linux, BYOK, and local-only privacy controls matter most. Voicy is the third option if you want uploaded-file transcription and broader device coverage without managing local models.
The best test is practical: dictate real emails, notes, browser fields, and one long work document. Then test uploaded-file transcription in Voicy if recordings are part of your workflow.
FAQs
Is Superwhisper better than Spokenly?
Superwhisper is better if you need local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. Spokenly is better if you need free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls.
Which is cheaper, Superwhisper or Spokenly?
Superwhisper Pro is $8.49/month, $84.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime. New users get limited free access. Spokenly lists Local Models at $0 forever, Your API Keys at $0 forever, and Pro at $9.99/month or $99.99/year. BYOK can still create separate provider costs.
Does Superwhisper work on mobile?
Platform support: macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. No official Android support was verified.
Does Spokenly work on mobile?
Platform support: macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux in the main official pages checked. Android appears in the site footer, but the main checked sources focused on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux.
Can Superwhisper transcribe uploaded files?
Superwhisper supports external audio and video file transcription, including common formats such as MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, and WEBM.
Can Spokenly transcribe uploaded files?
No official uploaded-file transcription support was found in the checked Spokenly primary pages. Spokenly is positioned around live dictation, model control, history, replay, and export.
Which is better for privacy?
Superwhisper has a strong local and offline privacy story, but some tools and cloud models are cloud-based. Use the app's local models when local processing is required. Spokenly local models keep audio and transcriptions on device. Built-in cloud models send audio to Spokenly's backend and third-party transcription services, with no permanent copy on Spokenly servers.
Where does Voicy fit?
Voicy is the third option if you want live dictation plus uploaded-file transcription across Mac, Windows, Linux, browser extension, iOS, and Android. Voicy is cloud-based, has a free trial only, and costs $8.49/month, $82/year, or $260 lifetime.
Which should I choose for daily writing?
Choose Superwhisper for local and cloud speech recognition with custom AI modes, audio and video file transcription, and one license across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. Choose Spokenly for free local dictation, bring-your-own API key support, Linux support, and local-only privacy controls. Choose Voicy if you want live dictation plus uploaded-file transcription in one workflow.
Does Voicy have a free plan?
Voicy has a free trial only. Paid pricing is $8.49/month, $82/year, or $260 lifetime.
