superwhisper on Windows: how to install it, what it needs, and what is missing
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
superwhisper runs natively on Windows 10 and 11, on x64 and ARM64 processors. It is the same app and the same license as on a Mac, so one purchase covers both. Download the installer from superwhisper.com/windows. A GPU is not required, but two of the local models use Vulkan and run much slower without it.
I built YapToText, a different dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about superwhisper with that in mind. Every fact about superwhisper here comes from its own docs, read on October 10, 2026. YapToText does not run on Windows, so this page is here to answer the question, not to sell you my app.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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Install it
- Download the installer from superwhisper.com/windows.
- Run it and follow the prompts.
- superwhisper adds an icon to the system tray. Click it to open settings.
- Allow microphone access when Windows asks.
- Follow the setup wizard and try a dictation.
If you bought the Mac version, enter the same license key. There is no separate Windows license.
What it needs
From superwhisper's docs page Superwhisper on Windows, read October 10, 2026.
| Model | x64 | ARM64 |
|---|---|---|
| Whisper Large v3 Turbo, local | Uses Vulkan if the GPU and drivers support it, otherwise the CPU, which is much slower | Not supported yet |
| Cohere Transcribe, local | Same as above | Not supported yet |
| Parakeet Multilanguage, local | Runs through ONNX Runtime, no Vulkan needed | Supported |
| Cloud models | Any machine | Any machine |
On old integrated graphics or in a virtual machine, its docs suggest a cloud model.
If it will not launch
An error such as vkGetPhysicalDeviceFeatures2 could not be located, or a missing DLL, points at graphics drivers:
- Update the graphics drivers from Intel, NVIDIA or AMD.
- Restart and launch superwhisper again.
- If it opens but local models are very slow or fail, the GPU may not support Vulkan. Pick Parakeet Multilanguage or a cloud model.
What is not on Windows yet
- Filesync. Syncing configuration across installations. In development.
- A custom app folder. Files always live in %LOCALAPPDATA%\com.superwhisper.app.
- Hold Shift to Auto-Send. Mac only.
- Simulate Keypresses. Mac only, so apps that block pasting have no workaround.
- Coding agent integrations and the command-line tool. Mac only.
Everything else works the same, per its docs: modes, vocabulary, local and cloud models, file transcription, realtime transcription, system audio recording and speaker separation.
Free on Windows
superwhisper's Free plan works on Windows too: unlimited dictation with local Whisper models and up to two modes, without AI processing. The license page explains the 3,000-word trial of Pro features. For open source options that run on Windows, the alternatives page for Windows, Linux and phones lists apps from their own pages.
If you also have a Mac
On a Mac, YapToText is free with its cleanup included, and both models run on the Mac. It is not on Windows, and I do not have a Windows version to promise. The superwhisper alternative page compares the two on a Mac.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Runs on. Windows 10 and 11, x64 and ARM64.
- License. The same key as the Mac.
- Speed. Vulkan for Whisper and Cohere, or use Parakeet or a cloud model.
- Missing. Filesync, Simulate Keypresses, auto-send, the command-line tool.
If superwhisper ships one of the missing features, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/windows (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/billing/plans (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/billing/activate (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-10)
Questions
Is superwhisper available for Windows?
Yes. It runs natively on Windows 10 and 11, on x64 and ARM64, and uses the same license as the Mac app.
Do I need a separate license for superwhisper on Windows?
No. One Pro license works on Windows and Mac. Enter the same key.
Does superwhisper need a GPU on Windows?
No, but Whisper Large v3 Turbo and Cohere Transcribe use Vulkan when available and are much slower on the CPU.
Why will superwhisper not launch on Windows?
A vkGetPhysicalDeviceFeatures2 or missing DLL error usually means outdated graphics drivers. Update them and restart.
Does superwhisper work on Windows ARM?
Yes, with Parakeet Multilanguage or a cloud model. The two Vulkan-based local models are not supported on ARM yet.