TypeWhisper vs Spokenly: the two compared on their own makers' numbers
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
TypeWhisper and Spokenly both give local dictation away for free and charge for extras. TypeWhisper is open source and charges for Premium features. Spokenly charges a subscription for managed cloud models and AI cleanup.
I built YapToText, a free dictation app for the Mac, so read this knowing I make a rival to both. Each fact comes from the maker's own pages, on the dates under the table.
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.
Side by side
TypeWhisper checked October 6, 2026, on its GitHub repository and typewhisper.com. Spokenly checked October 5 and 6, 2026, on spokenly.app. YapToText from its own settings. Prices change, so confirm on each maker's site.
| TypeWhisper | Spokenly | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | A dictation toolbox with many speech engines | Dictation with local or cloud models | Dictation, with files as plain text |
| Free | The core app. Premium features need a commercial license | Unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet, no word caps, no account. Or your own API keys at no Spokenly fee | Everything |
| Paid | Premium from 5 euros a month | Pro $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year | No paid tier |
| Where speech is processed | On your computer with WhisperKit, Parakeet or Apple's engine, or optional cloud APIs | On the Mac with local models, or in the cloud | On the Mac |
| Without internet | Yes, with local engines | Yes, with local models | Yes |
| Cleanup | Workflows, through Apple Intelligence, a cloud provider or a local model you add | AI cleanup and polish, with Pro | Built in, on the Mac |
| Platforms | macOS 14 or later with Intel supported, Windows and iOS, plus an Android beta | Mac with macOS 13.3 or later, Windows, Linux and iPhone, with Android on a waitlist | Apple silicon Macs, macOS 14 or later |
| Open source license | GPL-3.0 | Not stated | GPL-3.0 |
Pick by what you need
- Open source. TypeWhisper.
- Linux. Spokenly.
- Subtitles from files. TypeWhisper.
- Managed cloud models with no keys. Spokenly Pro.
- Lowest paid entry. TypeWhisper Premium, from 5 euros a month.
For more on each: TypeWhisper and Spokenly.
The free third option
YapToText does dictation with cleanup and dictionaries on the Mac, free, with no account, and gives plain text from audio and video files. It runs on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 14 or later and nowhere else. If you need Windows, a phone, subtitles or speaker labels, one of the two above fits better. The TypeWhisper alternative page and the Spokenly one compare each with YapToText directly.
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
- TypeWhisper. A dictation toolbox with many speech engines. Premium from 5 euros a month.
- Spokenly. Dictation with local or cloud models. Pro $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year.
- YapToText. Free dictation with cleanup on one Apple silicon Mac.
If a price or feature here has changed, 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://github.com/TypeWhisper/typewhisper-mac (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://www.typewhisper.com/en/pricing/ (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://www.typewhisper.com/en/ (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://wisprflow.ai/pricing (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/billing/plans (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://spokenly.app/pricing (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://spokenly.app/download (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://spokenly.app/open-source (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://spokenly.app (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://spokenly.app/dictation-for-mac (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://spokenly.app/android (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://spokenly.app/privacy (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
What is the difference between TypeWhisper and Spokenly?
TypeWhisper: a dictation toolbox with many speech engines. Spokenly: dictation with local or cloud models.
Is TypeWhisper or Spokenly free?
TypeWhisper: The core app. Premium features need a commercial license. Spokenly: Unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet, no word caps, no account. Or your own API keys at no Spokenly fee.
Do TypeWhisper and Spokenly work offline?
TypeWhisper: Yes, with local engines. Spokenly: Yes, with local models.
Is there a free app that runs on the Mac?
YapToText is free, with cleanup built in, on Apple silicon Macs.