Ottex
Mac, iOSBest when: You want dictated emails to follow your saved writing instructions.
HEDY ALTERNATIVES, BY REASON.Every claim sourced · verified Oct 2026
Choose what you need after Hedy.
Hedy already offers bot-free capture, local processing and Windows and Android apps. Switch for a specific gain: unlimited local transcription, shared meeting notes or emails and tickets drafted from conversations.
What's pushing you to look? Pick one — the page reorders around it.
What actually differs, claim by claim.
Each section opens with the takeaway. The table underneath is the receipt — every cell carries its source and the date we checked it.
Pricing
Hedy's Free plan includes 5 meeting hours per month, while Pro costs $99.99/year and Lifetime costs $299 with included cloud AI. Vowen lowers the app purchase to $49 once for unlimited meeting notes, but requires model or provider setup, and cloud usage is separate. Ottex requires no license payment for its free local-model and BYOK app paths; provider charges apply when you use your own API key, while Pro costs $14/month.
See the evidence — 26 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex |  Hedy |  Krisp |  MacWhisper |  Granola |  Hyprnote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Forever free with local models and BYOK providers. | PartialSource: hedy.ai/pricing — checked Oct 2026Up to 5 hours per month | 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. | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026No daily limit; Last 30 days only in the app | PartialSource: anarlog.so/pricing — checked Oct 2026Unlimited on-device transcription |
| Subscription | $14/moSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included. | $12.99/moSource: hedy.ai/contact — checked Oct 2026Cloud AI is included, local processing is available, optional external speech providers incur separate API charges, and automatic suggestions stop after 120 minutes per session. | $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. | $14/moSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Pricing is per active workspace member, with monthly billing only. | $14/moSource: anarlog.so/pricing — checked Oct 2026Published USD prices are per person for individuals and teams, with hosted transcription, AI, dictation, sync, and collaboration included. |
| One-time payment | Not applicableSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Application is free | $299 one-timeSource: hedy.ai/pricing — checked Oct 2026Lifetime feature access and future updates. | NoNo one-time payment plan | $73.2 one-timeSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026All future updates included. | Not applicableSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Application is free | Not applicableSource: anarlog.so/pricing — checked Oct 2026Application is free |
| 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: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Deepgram, OpenAI, and xAI speech recognition accept user API keys and bill usage separately from Hedy. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Granola does not support bringing your own AI models. | YesSource: anarlog.so/pricing — checked Oct 2026Users can supply their own transcription and Intelligence provider API keys. |
| Education discount | NoSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Same pricing for everyone. | No public claim | 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: granola.ai/students — checked Oct 2026Accepted currently enrolled students at accredited universities in the US, UK, and Canada receive Business for $0 for 12 months; no percentage discount or recurring monthly or annual student price is published. | No public claim |
Platforms
Hedy already has native Mac, Windows, iOS and Android clients, so moving away does not automatically improve app quality or coverage. Granola also covers those four platforms, although its web interface cannot capture meetings. Ottex supports Mac and iOS only; it loses this comparison when Windows or Android is required, and there is no supplied evidence for a native-versus-Electron ranking of these alternatives.
See the evidence — 11 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Hedy | Krisp | MacWhisper | Granola | Hyprnote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac, iOSSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebSource: hedy.ai/downloads — checked Oct 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026 | Mac, iOSSource: docs.macwhisper.com/article — checked Oct 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026 | MacSource: docs.anarlog.so/desktop-installation — checked Oct 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist |
| Native app footprintLight on memory, instant to invoke | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Native Swift app, ~50MB RAM. | YesSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026The import documentation identifies the installed Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android clients as native apps. | No public claim | YesSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026The vendor identifies MacWhisper as a native macOS application. | NoSource: granola.ai/jobs — checked Oct 2026The desktop application uses Electron with OS integrations; mobile implementation frameworks remain unverified. | NoSource: github.com/fastrepl — checked Oct 2026The desktop application uses Tauri v2 with a React and TypeScript interface and Rust backend. |
Meetings & team memory
Hedy already records without a bot, with saved audio off by default and speaker separation available through Nemotron on supported devices. Krisp adds audio and screen recording modes on Core at $16/seat/month, automatic speaker names and shared meeting contexts. Granola offers shared note collections but retains no playable audio or video; its desktop camera recording watermark and meeting-chat recording notices require setup and do not establish participant consent.
See the evidence — 40 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Hedy | Krisp | MacWhisper | Granola | Hyprnote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting recordingThe call is captured at all | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026With speaker separation. | YesSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Saving session audio requires enabling audio recording, which is off by default. | 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. | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Live audio is captured for transcription, but playable audio and video recordings are not retained. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/meetings — checked Oct 2026Meetings can be recorded from calendar events or new notes. |
| Bot-free captureNo "recording bot" joins your call | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026System-audio capture, no bot joins the call. | YesSource: hedy.ai/downloads — checked Oct 2026Meeting capture does not require a bot to join 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. | YesSource: granola.ai/security — checked Oct 2026The app captures device audio without adding a participant bot. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/meetings — checked Oct 2026Desktop capture adds no participant to the call. |
| 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 | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026All plans can install and select a virtual camera on macOS 14+ or Windows 11; Enterprise enforcement requires chat notices and may require workspace activation by support. | No public claim |
| Participant noticesRecording notices in chat or calendar | 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 | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Desktop chat notices support Meet through a Chromium extension and Zoom or Teams through app setup; Enterprise admins can enforce them, while calendar-invite notices remain unverified. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/automatic-capture — checked Oct 2026Users can enable recording disclosures in supported meeting chats on macOS and Linux, with no Windows support or verified calendar notice. |
| Speaker separation | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026 | PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Nemotron separates speakers on supported devices, with names inferred from conversation context or entered manually. | 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. | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Configured desktop speaker tags identify participants in Meet, Zoom, and Teams; mobile transcripts use speaker labels. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/models-and-providers — checked Oct 2026Supported models provide speaker diarization, and users can assign participant names to transcript labels. |
| Calendar detection | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Calendar-based meeting detection. | PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Mac and Windows detect microphone use by Zoom, Teams, and Webex, with FaceTime detection available on Mac. | 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. | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Calendar reminders and microphone-use detection prompt the user to start notes. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/calendar — checked Oct 2026Apple Calendar is supported on macOS, with read-only Google Calendar and Outlook connections. |
| Cross-meeting search | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026 | PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Topic chat searches related sessions; Free includes one topic, while Pro supports unlimited topics and chat across them. | 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. | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Chat queries multiple meetings, with Basic limited to the accessible 30-day history. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/chat — checked Oct 2026Chat searches meeting titles, content, and recurring meeting history. |
| Shared team memory | PartialSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Public share links, not a full team workspace. | PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Pro users can share Topics containing current and future sessions with recipients who receive read-only access. | 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 | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Folder-level Chat queries shared meeting-note collections. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/teams — checked Oct 2026Pro workspaces share meeting notes and new notes created in designated team folders. |
From meeting to finished work
Hedy already produces recaps, action items and transcript chat with Quick Prompts, but a meeting document template library is unverified and its email, CRM and task workflows require external automations. Ottex has both a meeting template library for structured documents and a separate transcript chat prompt library, plus follow-up email, CRM and ticket drafts. Vowen Pro offers a 44-item meeting document template library and five reusable transcript chat starters for $49 once, with AI setup required; these meeting capabilities are separate from dictation rewriting.
See the evidence — 29 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Hedy | Krisp | MacWhisper | Granola | Hyprnote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Desktop users select built-in meeting-type templates that generate or regenerate enhanced notes in the chosen structure. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/customize-summaries — checked Oct 2026The Summary picker offers named formats that structure meeting content into sections such as decisions, action items, or one-on-ones. |
| 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. | YesSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Built-in Quick Prompts send preset questions to session chat, with different prompt sets for each session type. | 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. | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026The Recipes menu and Discover tab provide reusable Granola and community prompts that run over individual or multiple meetings. | No public claim |
| Decisions, owners, action itemsLeave the meeting with next steps clear | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Decisions with owners extracted. | YesSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Session recaps extract action items and next steps into trackable to-do items. | 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. | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Chat extracts action items from meeting notes and transcripts. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/customize-summaries — checked Oct 2026Summary formats can extract action items with owners and due dates. |
| Follow-up email draftedThe outcome is sent, not summarized | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Drafted from templates or your own. | PartialSource: hedy.ai/integrations — checked Oct 2026A viaSocket template creates an interview follow-up email draft in Gmail from a Hedy session. | 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 | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Automatic drafts require a paid plan or trial, connected Gmail, an external guest, and no more than 10 attendees. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/chat — checked Oct 2026Chat can draft a follow-up email from the open meeting. |
| CRM update / ticket draft | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Structured for the target app. | PartialSource: hedy.ai/integrations — checked Oct 2026A viaSocket workflow sends sales-call notes to a HubSpot contact and requires external automation setup. | 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 | No public claim | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/automations — checked Oct 2026Pro automations create Linear issue drafts from assigned meeting follow-ups. |
| Your rough notes steer the result | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Rough notes and instructions steer the result. | YesSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Up to 10,000 characters of user-written session notes inform summaries, detailed notes, and chat responses. | 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 | YesSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Typed raw notes guide generated notes alongside the transcript and calendar context. | YesSource: docs.anarlog.so/meetings — checked Oct 2026User-written Memos provide context for generated meeting summaries. |
Dictation & transcription AI
Hedy cannot insert dictated text across apps, regardless of its local meeting-processing options. Ottex adds 100-language dictation, local Whisper and Parakeet v3, model selection, mid-sentence language switching and per-app writing rules. MacWhisper also supports 100 languages and local Whisper models, but dictation insertion requires the direct-download Mac edition, while saved Pro rewriting prompts require AI-service setup.
See the evidence — 52 claims across 6 toolsverified Oct 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Hedy | Krisp | MacWhisper | Granola | Hyprnote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engines | Cloud: Whisper, Gemini 3 Flash, Voxtral. Local: Whisper, Parakeet v3.Source: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Hosted routing, BYOK, or fully local. | No public claim | No public claim | WhisperSource: goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l — checked Oct 2026Whisper is explicitly documented for system-wide dictation. | No public claim | Configurable hosted or local transcription providersSource: docs.anarlog.so/dictation — checked Oct 2026Dictation uses the selected Transcription provider. |
| Local / on-device optionAudio never leaves the machine | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Whisper and Parakeet v3 run fully on-device. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/dictation — checked Oct 2026A supported local transcription provider keeps dictation processing on the computer. |
| Model selection per task | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Choose the model per task and per provider. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/dictation — checked Oct 2026The dictation setup explicitly allows choosing a transcription provider. |
| Languages & mixed speechWork that crosses languages mid-sentence | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026100+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | No public claim | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | 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. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
| Custom dictionary | YesSource: ottex.ai/docs — checked Oct 2026Add or delete names and specialist terms with preferred spellings; entries provide recognition context during transcription. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | No public claim | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
| 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. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported. | NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | No public claim | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
| 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. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
| 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. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | NoSource: help.krisp.ai/hc — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation. | No public claim | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
| 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: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Completed session transcripts can be manually cleaned and translated using cloud AI on the original capturing device. | 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. | PartialSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026Desktop Chat rewrites, expands, corrects, or translates selected sections of Granola meeting notes. | PartialSource: docs.anarlog.so/chat — checked Oct 2026Meeting Chat can propose summary edits and transcript corrections for user review. |
| Per-app output rules | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Per-app output rules: exact in AI chats, polished in email. | NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported. | 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. | NoSource: docs.granola.ai/help-center — checked Oct 2026System-wide dictation is not supported. | No public claim |
The short answerTry Ottex for free
OttexMac, iOS · Free tier · $14/mo
Ottex turns spoken drafts into emails using your writing rules, but lacks Windows support.
Choose Ottex if
- You want dictated emails to follow your saved writing instructions.
Look elsewhere if
- You need voice dictation on a Windows computer.
What a year actually costs at your volume.
Personal or team — switch tabs. Subscriptions are flat; usage-based pricing depends on how much you speak and meet.
0 h5 h10 h
0 h7.5 h15 h
Fill the gaps with:
OttexOttex Provider — PAYG$135/yrHosted models at cost: dictation ~$0.2/h, meetings ~$0.5/h (~$3/mo average).HyprnotePro$140/yrPublished USD prices are per person for individuals and teams, with hosted transcription, AI, dictation, sync, and collaboration included.GranolaBasic+ Wispr Flow for dictation — $144/yr$144/yr$0 + $144Transcription has no daily limit, but older notes require an upgrade for in-app access. · No daily limit; Last 30 days only in the appOttexSubscription - Pro$168/yr$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included.GranolaBusiness+ Wispr Flow for dictation — $144/yr$312/yr$168 + $144Pricing is per active workspace member, with monthly billing only. · Unlimited meeting notes and historyKrispCore+ Wispr Flow for dictation — $144/yr$336/yr$192 + $144Monthly billing is $16/mo/user and annual billing is advertised as $8/mo/user with Save 50%, without a published annual total. · Unlimited Transcription & Audio Recording; Unlimited AI Summaries and Action Items; Upload meeting: Unlimited; Storage: 10 GBKrispAdvanced+ Wispr Flow for dictation — $144/yr$504/yr$360 + $144Monthly billing is $30/mo/user and annual billing is advertised as $15/mo/user with Save 50%, without a published annual total. · Transcription & Audio Recording: Unlimited; AI Summaries and Action Items: Custom; Upload meeting: Unlimited; Storage: 60 GBGranolaEnterprise+ Wispr Flow for dictation — $144/yr$564/yr$420 + $144Starts at $35 per user monthly; annual contracts are available through sales without a published annual total. · Unlimited meeting notes and historyEstimates, not quotes. Striped bar segments are the cost of the second app you picked above to cover the gap — rankings use that combined total. PAYG uses hosted at-cost estimates ($0.2/h dictation, $0.5/h meetings); BYOK is estimated at about a third of that because you pay the model provider directly. Bring-your-own-key plans still pay the model provider per use. One-time licenses are amortized over 2 years. Subscriptions use published pricing, checked Oct 2026.
All 8 tools, one line each.
The honest one-liner we'd give a friend for each. Select 2–4 and compare them side by side.
Free tier · $14/mo
Hedy
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebBest when: You want live suggestions during client calls.
Krisp
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebBest when: You want structured notes from bot-free desktop meeting recordings.
MacWhisper
Mac, iOSBest when: You want offline Mac transcription with a one-time Pro purchase.
Granola
Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidBest when: You want bot-free meeting summaries guided by your own notes.
Hyprnote
MacBest when: You want unlimited meeting transcription using local models.
Vowen
Mac, WindowsBest when: You want desktop dictation and meeting notes for $49 once.
QuickWhisper
Mac, iOSBest when: You want local dictation and meeting notes without recurring fees.
Pick 2–4 tools, then compare.
Move from Hedy in about 10 minutes.
Nothing breaks: both apps can run side by side while you decide.
- 1
Download Ottex and dictate right away2 min
Free out of the box: local models or the included starter credits, no card. Press the hotkey and speak — the default experience is deliberately close to Hedy. Keep Hedy installed; they coexist fine.
- 2
Move your hotkey — or run both1 min
Set Ottex to the key you already press by muscle memory, or give it its own shortcut while you compare output side by side.
- 3
Bring your dictionary3 min
If Hedy keeps a custom dictionary or replacement rules, copy those words into Ottex's personal dictionary and glossaries — names and jargon survive the move.
- 4
Pick where AI runs2 min
Defaults just work on starter credits. When you care, switch per task: local Whisper or Parakeet v3 for on-device privacy, your own key for control, or hosted routing at cost.
- 5
Add per-app rules and meetings when ready5 min
Set exact text for AI chats, polished email, structured tickets. Then record one low-stakes call and check the follow-up, CRM update, and ticket drafts.
Questions people actually ask.
What is Hedy?
Hedy is a meeting assistant that captures conversations, offers live suggestions and creates recaps and action items. It fits people who want help during client calls, but it cannot dictate text into other apps.
Is Hedy free?
Yes, Hedy has a permanent Free plan with up to 5 meeting hours per month. Automatic suggestions stop after 30 minutes per Free session, and file imports require Pro. Separate public Pro trial terms are not confirmed.
How much does Hedy cost?
Hedy Pro costs $12.99/month or $99.99/year, and Lifetime costs $299 with Pro features and future updates. Cheaper purchase options include Vowen at $49 once and MacWhisper Pro at $73.20 once. Ottex offers free local-model and BYOK app access, with API-provider usage billed separately.
What is the best free alternative to Hedy?
Hyprnote is the strongest free alternative when you want unlimited on-device meeting transcription, although summaries depend on your configured Intelligence model. Granola is another practical free option for bot-free meeting notes, with no daily limit but only 30 days of accessible history. Ottex offers free local-model and BYOK app paths if you also need dictation, with provider usage charges separate.
Is Hedy private?
Hedy offers optional local transcription and analysis, and says neither it nor its inference providers train models on conversations. Its cloud inference content is processed transiently, but synced sessions remain until deletion and gateway request metadata remains for 30 days; it publishes a SOC 2 Type I examination and GDPR documentation, while its HIPAA claim concerns an independent assessment as a Business Associate. Choose MacWhisper with local transcription and a local summary provider if you want that processing on your computer.
Does Hedy use a bot to record meetings?
No, Hedy captures meetings without requiring a bot to join the call. Saving audio is optional and off by default, and users must obtain consent themselves because automatic participant-facing chat or calendar recording notices are not documented.