Keep free dictation, or add what you need.

FluidVoice already wins on app cost: unlimited local use costs $0, with optional cloud cleanup billed separately by the provider. Ottex also offers free app access through both local models and your own API key, with provider usage charges separate; its Pro subscription is $14/month. VoiceInk offers a $25 one-time Mac license or a free build-from-source path. Pay once for the app behavior you want, or subscribe for the features you need; neither model undercuts free local FluidVoice.

See the evidence — 27 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table

	Ottex	FluidVoice	Spokenly	Krisp	MacWhisper	VoiceInk
Free tier	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Forever free with local models and BYOK providers.	PartialSource: fluidvoice.org/download — checked Oct 2026no trial, word limit or paid tier	PartialSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Oct 2026No usage limits	PartialSource: krisp.ai/blog — checked Oct 2026Unlimited transcription; AI noise cancellation (60 minutes daily); AI summaries & action items (2 daily); Meeting history (limited)	YesSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Free local transcription and basic dictation have no published usage cap, with advanced models and workflows reserved for Pro.	YesSource: github.com/Beingpax — checked Oct 2026The Mac app can be built free from source; no usage allowance is published, automatic updates are excluded, and cloud API usage costs extra.
Subscription	$14/moSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included.	NoNo subscription plan	$6.99/moSource: spokenly.app/team — checked Oct 2026Each seat includes full Pro with a permanent 30% discount and centralized billing.	$16/moSource: krisp.ai/pricing — checked Oct 2026Monthly billing is $16/mo/user and annual billing is advertised as $8/mo/user with Save 50%, without a published annual total.	$9.99/moSource: apps.apple.com/us — checked Oct 2026Assistant funds hosted transcription and transcript AI in the App Store editions; capture entitlements and dictation coverage remain unverified.	NoNo subscription plan
One-time payment	Not applicableSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Application is free	Not applicableSource: fluidvoice.org/download — checked Oct 2026Application is free	Not applicableSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Oct 2026Application is free	NoNo one-time payment plan	$73.2 one-timeSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026All future updates included.	$25 one-timeSource: tryvoiceink.com/buy — checked Oct 2026Lifetime updates
Bring your own keyPay the model provider, not the middleman	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026OpenRouter, Google AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, and compatible providers.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org/docs — checked Oct 2026Optional cloud cleanup uses the user's API key and separately billed provider account.	YesSource: spokenly.app/privacy — checked Oct 2026BYOK audio and text travel directly from the device to the selected provider.	No public claim	YesSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Users can configure their own provider credentials, with provider charges separate from the application purchase.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Cloud transcription and enhancement providers connect through user-supplied API keys, with provider charges excluded from the license.
Education discount	NoSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Same pricing for everyone.	No public claim	YesSource: spokenly.app/students — checked Oct 2026Verified students receive 50% off Pro at $4.99/month or $49.99/year after signing in with an academic email and emailing a student ID to support.	No public claim	YesSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Students, journalists and nonprofits can request 25% off the one-time direct-download license by email; no discounted amount or monthly or annual education offer is published.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/faq — checked Oct 2026Students can request a discount with a student ID; discounted prices, percentage, and billing terms are not published.

FluidVoice has a native SwiftUI/AppKit Mac app for macOS 15 or newer and an available 64-bit Windows pre-release testing build; the Windows implementation is unverified. Wispr Flow covers Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, making it the stronger choice for computers and phones. Spokenly covers Mac, Windows, iOS, and Linux, but Android remains a waitlist. Native-versus-Electron implementation details are not established for these two alternatives, so platform coverage does not prove app quality.

See the evidence — 11 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table

	Ottex	FluidVoice	Spokenly	Krisp	MacWhisper	VoiceInk
Platforms	Mac, iOSSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026	MacSource: fluidvoice.org/download — checked Oct 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist	Mac, Windows, iOS, LinuxSource: spokenly.app/download — checked Oct 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist	Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026	Mac, iOSSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026	MacSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026
Native app footprintLight on memory, instant to invoke	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Native Swift app, ~50MB RAM.	PartialSource: raw.githubusercontent.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026The macOS application uses SwiftUI and AppKit; the Windows implementation was not verified.	YesSource: spokenly.app/android — checked Oct 2026The macOS and iOS applications are built with Swift.	No public claim	YesSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026The vendor identifies MacWhisper as a native macOS application.	YesSource: github.com/beingpax — checked Oct 2026The Mac application is native.

FluidVoice already provides local bot-free meeting recording, separate application and microphone tracks, and speaker labels in its macOS beta. Ottex adds calendar-based detection and speaker separation, but its public share links are not a full team workspace. Krisp Core at $16/seat/month supports audio and screen recordings, automatic speaker names, and AI Chat across accessible shared meeting content. Choose Ottex to retain dictation alongside meetings, or Krisp when shared meeting recall matters more.

See the evidence — 36 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table

	Ottex	FluidVoice	Spokenly	Krisp	MacWhisper	VoiceInk
Meeting recordingThe call is captured at all	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026With speaker separation.	PartialSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026FluidMeet records meetings locally in macOS v1.6.10-beta.7.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/dictation-for-mac — checked Oct 2026Meeting recording ships on Mac and requires macOS 14.4 or later.	YesSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Core and Advanced support transcription-only, audio recording and screen recording modes.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Pro records meetings, while automatic recording remains labeled beta in its dedicated documentation.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Bot-free captureNo "recording bot" joins your call	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026System-audio capture, no bot joins the call.	PartialSource: raw.githubusercontent.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026The macOS beta captures meeting-application audio and microphone audio directly on the computer.	YesSource: spokenly.app/blog — checked Oct 2026Mac meeting recording captures audio without a bot joining the call.	YesSource: krisp.ai/ai-meeting-assistant — checked Oct 2026Desktop recording can capture meetings without a bot joining the call.	YesSource: macwhisper.com/meeting-recording — checked Oct 2026Meetings are captured locally without a bot joining.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Camera recording watermarkShow recording in your camera video	PartialExperimental macOS virtual camera adds an Ottex icon to video; install/enable the extension, select it and turn video on. Guide covers Meet in Chrome and Zoom desktop; effects may obscure it.	No public claim	No public claim	No public claim	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Participant noticesRecording notices in chat or calendar	No public claim	No public claim	No public claim	PartialSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Notify others you're using Krisp enables chat or audio notices, with possible platform blocking and no verified calendar-invite notice or affirmative consent collection.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Speaker separation	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026	PartialSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026FluidMeet includes speaker labels in the macOS beta; automatic identification of participants by real name is unverified.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/blog — checked Oct 2026Saved meeting recordings can be transcribed with voice-based speaker labels that may require manual correction.	YesSource: linkedin.com/pulse — checked Oct 2026Krisp automatically applies speaker names in transcripts and notes while allowing manual edits.	PartialSource: apps.apple.com/us — checked Oct 2026Pro live meetings support speaker identification when enabled with a compatible recognition model.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Calendar detection	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Calendar-based meeting detection.	PartialSource: raw.githubusercontent.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026The macOS beta optionally detects Zoom, Teams, Webex, and supported browser meetings, then offers user-started recording.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/releases — checked Oct 2026Mac meeting detection is documented in release notes, including Safari support.	YesSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026With Note Taker enabled and audio devices configured, Krisp captures the next call automatically.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Users enable app-based meeting notifications in direct-download MacWhisper; detection excludes FaceTime and remains labeled beta in its documentation.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Cross-meeting search	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026	PartialSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026The macOS beta's Global Search includes transcripts across the application.	No public claim	YesSource: linkedin.com/pulse — checked Oct 2026Global AI Chat answers questions across meetings and identifies which conversations informed the answer.	YesSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Full-text and speaker search spans saved transcripts, including meeting transcripts.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Shared team memory	PartialSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Public share links, not a full team workspace.	No public claim	No public claim	YesSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026AI Chat supports All Meetings, folders and Shared with Me contexts containing accessible meeting content.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.

FluidVoice's macOS beta extracts summaries, action items, and decisions, but follow-up email, CRM-update, and ticket drafting workflows are not documented. Ottex drafts those next steps and offers two distinct libraries: meeting document templates structure transcripts into reports, while transcript chat prompts help query and analyze conversations. Krisp, with Core at $16/seat/month, also provides both libraries, but CRM note synchronization and internal action items do not establish dedicated CRM-update or external ticket drafting workflows. These meeting libraries serve different jobs from rewriting dictated text.

See the evidence — 22 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table

	Ottex	FluidVoice	Spokenly	Krisp	MacWhisper	VoiceInk
Meeting template libraryTurn a transcript into a structured document	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Choose a ready-made document template to extract relevant information from a meeting transcript into a structured document, such as a product review or client-call report.	No public claim	No public claim	YesSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Ready-made templates such as Project Sync, Client Status Update and Hiring generate structured documents from transcripts and can be selected per meeting or set as the default.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Ready-made documents that extract and structure recorded meeting transcripts are not supported.
Transcript chat prompt libraryReady-made prompts for AI chat about meetings	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Use ready-made reusable prompts in AI chat to ask questions, analyze discussions and extract information from meeting transcripts.	No public claim	No public claim	YesSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Core and Advanced users can select reusable suggested prompts such as Summarize call by speakers and List Q&A in a meeting's Ask Anything tab.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Users select predefined reusable prompts for an opened transcript and run them through a configured AI model.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026A reusable prompt library for AI chat over recorded meeting transcripts is not supported.
Decisions, owners, action itemsLeave the meeting with next steps clear	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Decisions with owners extracted.	PartialSource: raw.githubusercontent.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026The macOS beta offers a Key decisions output, while assignment of decision owners is unverified.	No public claim	YesSource: krisp.ai/ai-meeting-assistant — checked Oct 2026Meeting notes identify key decisions and next steps, and action items can be assigned to participants.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Configured transcript AI can produce meeting action points.	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Follow-up email draftedThe outcome is sent, not summarized	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Drafted from templates or your own.	No public claim	No public claim	PartialSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Krisp can email meeting recaps to invitees, but a dedicated editable follow-up email drafting workflow is unverified.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
CRM update / ticket draft	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Structured for the target app.	No public claim	No public claim	PartialSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Meeting notes can be sent automatically or manually to a selected HubSpot contact, company or deal, without a verified CRM-field draft review workflow.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.
Your rough notes steer the result	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Rough notes and instructions steer the result.	No public claim	NoSource: spokenly.app/comparison — checked Oct 2026Not supported.	YesSource: linkedin.com/pulse — checked Oct 2026Users' manual notes are incorporated into generated summaries, with visual cues distinguishing their contributions from AI content.	No public claim	NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/best-typeless-alternatives — checked Oct 2026Not supported.

FluidVoice already offers downloadable speech models, offline recognition and cleanup, and automatic per-app writing instructions; Whisper supports 99 languages. Ottex supports 100 languages, local Whisper and Parakeet v3, mid-sentence language switching, and automatic per-app writing rules. Spokenly also supports 100 languages, selectable models, and saved writing instructions, with unlimited free local dictation and a Local Only Mode that blocks outbound access. Its mixed-language support is specifically documented for Gemini 3.5 Transcribe, so do not assume every local engine supports the same switching behavior.

See the evidence — 56 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table

	Ottex	FluidVoice	Spokenly	Krisp	MacWhisper	VoiceInk
Engines	Cloud: Whisper, Gemini 3 Flash, Voxtral. Local: Whisper, Parakeet v3.Source: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Hosted routing, BYOK, or fully local.	Nemotron Speech 3.5, Nemotron 3.5 Multilingual, Parakeet Flash Beta, Parakeet TDT v3, Parakeet TDT v2, Cohere Transcribe, Apple Speech, WhisperSource: fluidvoice.org/models — checked Oct 2026The macOS model lineup varies by hardware and operating-system compatibility.	Whisper, NVIDIA Parakeet, Apple Speech Analyzer, OpenAI GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova, SonioxSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Local and cloud transcription engines are selectable per mode.	No public claim	WhisperSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Whisper is explicitly documented for system-wide dictation.	Parakeet, Nemotron, Whisper, Cohere Transcribe, SenseVoice, Apple Speech, BYOK cloud providersSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Transcription models and optional text-enhancement models are selected separately.
Local / on-device optionAudio never leaves the machine	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Whisper and Parakeet v3 run fully on-device.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org — checked Oct 2026Local recognition and local cleanup work offline after their required assets are installed.	YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Downloaded local models transcribe offline, and Local Only Mode blocks outbound network access.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	YesSource: macwhisper.com — checked Oct 2026Whisper recognition can run locally after downloading a model.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Downloaded local transcription models run on the Mac, with Apple Silicon recommended and Intel reliability caveats.
Model selection per task	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Choose the model per task and per provider.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org/models — checked Oct 2026Users can download and switch speech models in the application.	YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Users choose transcription models and AI providers per mode.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	PartialSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Dictation supports different Whisper models, with advanced models requiring Pro.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Each Mode selects its transcription model and optional enhancement provider and model.
Languages & mixed speechWork that crosses languages mid-sentence	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026100+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching.	PartialSource: fluidvoice.org/docs — checked Oct 202699+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching can produce errors and requires testing with the selected model.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/blog — checked Oct 2026100+ languages · Gemini 3.5 Transcribe supports switching languages mid-sentence.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	No public claim	No public claim
Automatic formatting	YesSource: ottex.ai/docs — checked Oct 2026Dictation automatically fixes punctuation, groups ideas into paragraphs and formats enumerations as lists. Formatting toggles and profile rules customize output.	PartialSource: raw.githubusercontent.com/altic-dev — checked Oct 2026Optional AI cleanup fixes punctuation and capitalization, while spoken directives create line breaks and list items.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Models add punctuation, and optional Smart Paragraphs on Mac adds paragraph breaks; automatic list formatting remains unverified.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	PartialSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Pro can improve dictation punctuation through a configured AI service; automatic lists and paragraphing are unverified.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/features — checked Oct 2026Modes offer configurable paragraph breaks, while optional AI enhancement can produce punctuated paragraphs and lists.
Custom dictionary	YesSource: ottex.ai/docs — checked Oct 2026Add or delete names and specialist terms with preferred spellings; entries provide recognition context during transcription.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org/features — checked Oct 2026Custom Dictionary accepts preferred spellings for names and jargon, with JSON import and export.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Supported models accept custom keyterms; ElevenLabs live transcription applies only the first 50 terms.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	No public claim	PartialSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Editable Vocabulary entries guide supported transcription models and AI enhancement, with support dependent on the selected model.
Voice snippetsSay a saved phrase to insert a link or text	YesSource: ottex.ai/docs — checked Oct 2026Save a voice trigger and expansion text; saying the trigger while dictating inserts the saved URL or text in place.	No public claim	NoSource: spokenly.app/comparison — checked Oct 2026Not supported.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	No public claim	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Word Replacements expand spoken phrases into saved URLs, addresses, signatures, or other text after dictation.
Custom voice instructionsFree-form rules applied after dictation	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Saved profile instructions automatically process dictation before insertion; rules can include writing examples, personal phrasing and email signatures.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org/docs — checked Oct 2026Saved user-written prompts automatically process dictation before insertion when AI cleanup is enabled.	YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Saved mode AI Instructions process each dictation before its configured auto-insert action using the selected AI provider.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Saved user-authored Pro dictation prompts automatically process recognized text before insertion, with AI-service setup required.	PartialSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Saved custom prompts automatically process dictation before Paste delivery in compatible enhanced Modes; Refine excludes custom prompts and short dictations can skip enhancement.
Tone presetsChoose a predefined writing style	YesSelect built-in Messaging or Email profiles for casual or professional dictation; assigning apps or websites enables automatic profile activation.	No public claim	No public claim	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	No public claim	PartialSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026Built-in Default, Chat, and Email prompts provide selectable writing styles through compatible AI-enhanced Modes.
Text transforms / AI ShortcutsApply an AI action to existing text	YesSource: ottex.ai/docs — checked Oct 2026Select or copy existing text, open Omnibar and run an AI Shortcut to rewrite, translate, summarize or apply a custom prompt; the result is copied/pasted.	PartialSource: fluidvoice.org/features — checked Oct 2026Write Mode replaces selected text using spoken rewrite instructions in Accessibility-compatible fields, with AI-provider compatibility restrictions.	No public claim	PartialSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Core and Advanced users can summarize and analyze meeting transcripts through AI Chat with saved response instructions; arbitrary selected-text actions are unverified.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Users can run saved or custom AI prompts to rewrite or query an opened transcript; arbitrary selected-text actions across other apps are unverified.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026A compatible AI-enhanced Mode rewrites selected or clipboard text using saved prompts and spoken instructions, then pastes the result.
Per-app output rules	YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Per-app output rules: exact in AI chats, polished in email.	YesSource: fluidvoice.org/docs — checked Oct 2026User-authored per-app instructions are selected automatically for the focused application.	PartialSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Oct 2026Mac modes automatically activate for configured applications or websites.	NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.	PartialSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026Pro lets users assign a saved dictation prompt to each selected destination app.	YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Oct 2026App and supported-browser website triggers automatically select Modes with different processing and output settings.