VoiceInk vs Spokenly: the two compared on their own makers' numbers
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
VoiceInk and Spokenly both dictate on a Mac with local models. VoiceInk is a one-time purchase of open source code, built around Modes. Spokenly gives local dictation away free and 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
VoiceInk checked October 5 and 10, 2026, on tryvoiceink.com and its docs. Spokenly checked October 5 and 6, 2026, on spokenly.app. YapToText from its own settings. Prices change, so confirm on each maker's site.
| VoiceInk | Spokenly | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Dictation, organized into Modes | Dictation with local or cloud models | Dictation, with files as plain text |
| Free | A 7-day trial, or build the GPL v3 source yourself | Unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet, no word caps, no account. Or your own API keys at no Spokenly fee | Everything |
| Paid | Once: $25 for one Mac, $39 for two, $49 for three, $159 for ten | Pro $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year | No paid tier |
| Where speech is processed | A local model on the Mac, or a cloud provider you connect | On the Mac with local models, or in the cloud | On the Mac |
| Without internet | Yes, with a local model | Yes, with local models | Yes |
| Cleanup | AI enhancement with your provider, or VoiceInk Refine on the Mac with 16 GB | AI cleanup and polish, with Pro | Built in, on the Mac |
| Platforms | Apple silicon Macs, macOS 15 or later. A separately licensed iPhone and iPad app | 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 v3 | Not stated | GPL-3.0 |
Pick by what you need
- Pay nothing for local dictation. Spokenly's free tier.
- Pay once and own it. VoiceInk.
- Windows or Linux as well. Spokenly.
- Open source you can read and build. VoiceInk, under the GPL v3.
- Per-app behavior. VoiceInk's Modes.
For more on each: VoiceInk 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 VoiceInk 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
- VoiceInk. Dictation, organized into Modes. Once: $25 for one Mac, $39 for two, $49 for three, $159 for ten.
- 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://tryvoiceink.com/pricing (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://tryvoiceink.com (checked 2026-10-06)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/installation (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/license-management (checked 2026-10-05)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/ios (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/privacy (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/voiceink-refine (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/recommended-models (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/transcription-history (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/introduction (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://tryvoiceink.com/docs/cloud-providers (checked 2026-10-03)
- https://github.com/Beingpax/VoiceInk (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 VoiceInk and Spokenly?
VoiceInk: dictation, organized into modes. Spokenly: dictation with local or cloud models.
Is VoiceInk or Spokenly free?
VoiceInk: A 7-day trial, or build the GPL v3 source yourself. Spokenly: Unlimited local Whisper and Parakeet, no word caps, no account. Or your own API keys at no Spokenly fee.
Do VoiceInk and Spokenly work offline?
VoiceInk: Yes, with a local model. 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.