Ottex
Mac, iOSBest when: You want one tool for system-wide dictation, meeting recording, and finished written outcomes like follow-up emails, Linear tickets, CRM updates, PRDs, and docs
CHOOSE BY THE REASON YOU ARE LEAVING.Every claim sourced · verified Aug 2026
The right Spokenly alternative depends on what is missing.
Spokenly already covers free local dictation, BYOK, Windows, and 100+ languages. Switch for meeting workflows, Android access, mixed-language writing, or a more focused app.
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
Spokenly remains hard to beat on pure cost because unlimited local dictation and BYOK are free, while Pro costs $99.99 per year. FluidVoice also provides free unlimited local dictation, Ottex adds free local use and $0.20-per-hour processing, and VoiceInk offers the lowest straightforward lifetime license at $25. QuickWhisper is the more capable pay-once transcription option at $59.
See the evidence — 28 claims across 6 toolsverified Aug 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex |  Spokenly |  VoiceInk |  Wispr Flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Forever free with local models and BYOK providers. | PartialSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Unlimited use; no usage limits | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026The core app and local inference are free; optional cloud enhancement uses the user's provider key. | NoNo free plan | PartialSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 20262,000 words (soft cap) and 5,000 words (hard cap) per week on desktop; 1,000 words (soft cap) and 1,500 words (hard cap) on iOS; unlimited on Android; weekly meeting limit not numerically published | PartialSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 202625 meetings/month |
| Subscription | $14/moSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included. | $9.99/moSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026The pricing page shows annual billing at $99.99 per year and references Pro cloud features. | NoNo subscription plan | NoNo subscription plan | $7.5/moSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026This is discounted Flow Pro pricing for eligible students. | $18/moSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Business is $18 per member/month or $14 per member/month billed annually. |
| Pay-as-you-go / one-timeEscape the flat subscription | $0.2/hourSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Hosted models at cost: dictation ~$0.2/h, meetings ~$0.5/h (~$3/mo average). | NoSubscription only | NoSubscription only | $25 one-timeSource: tryvoiceink.com/buy — checked Jun 2026Lifetime of updates | NoSubscription only | NoSubscription only |
| Bring your own keyPay the model provider, not the middleman | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026OpenRouter, Google AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, and compatible providers. | YesSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Users can connect their own API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, and other providers. | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Users can supply OpenAI, Groq, or custom provider API credentials for optional enhancement. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Cloud and custom models may require adding the provider API key. | NoSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Not supported | No public claim |
| Education discount | NoSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Same pricing for everyone. | YesSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Verified students get 50% off Pro after contacting support with an academic email. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026No separate education discount is published because the product is free. | PartialSource: tryvoiceink.com/faq — checked Jun 2026Student discount is available by contacting the vendor with student ID; no public percentage is listed. | YesSource: wisprflow.ai/pricing — checked Aug 2026Students and educators with an education email receive 50% off Flow Pro. | No public claim |
Platforms
Dictation Daddy has the broadest immediately available dictation footprint here across Mac, Windows, Android, and Chrome, although Chrome is an extension rather than a standalone web app. Wispr Flow covers Mac, Windows, iOS, and a shipped Android beta, while Ottex is limited to Mac and iOS. VoiceInk is a native Apple-focused option, and no Electron implementation claim is established for the compared tools.
See the evidence — 10 claims across 6 toolsverified Aug 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | Wispr Flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac, iOSSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOSSource: spokenly.app/download — checked Jun 2026 | MacSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist | Mac, iOSSource: tryvoiceink.com/faq — checked Jun 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOSSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist | Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidSource: granola.ai/download — checked Jun 2026 |
| Native app footprintLight on memory, instant to invoke | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Native Swift app, ~50MB RAM. | No public claim | PartialSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026The macOS app is native Swift while the Windows beta uses Flutter with native speech and input components. | YesSource: github.com/Beingpax — checked Jun 2026The GitHub README describes VoiceInk as a native macOS application. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Wispr describes its macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android clients as native apps. | No public claim |
Meetings & team memory
Spokenly does not capture meetings, so this dimension requires a different workflow. Granola records bot-free from the microphone and computer audio and includes 25 meetings per month free, while Hedy offers bot-free capture across Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and web with 5 free hours monthly. Ottex is the broader choice when meeting recording must live beside system-wide dictation rather than inside a dedicated notetaker.
See the evidence — 34 claims across 6 toolsverified Aug 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | Wispr Flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting recordingThe call is captured at all | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026With speaker separation. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | PartialSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Notetaker records meetings and voice memos on Mac only and is unavailable to Enterprise organizations. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola records and transcribes meetings without joining as a bot. |
| Bot-free captureNo "recording bot" joins your call | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026System-audio capture, no bot joins the call. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: wisprflow.ai/pricing — checked Aug 2026Recording happens on the user's device without a bot joining the call. | YesSource: granola.ai — checked Jun 2026Granola does not send a bot to meetings. |
| Speaker separation | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported for live meetings. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026The refined transcript separates speakers and supports assigning or renaming speaker labels. | No public claim |
| Calendar detection | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Calendar-based meeting detection. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Mac Notetaker detects calls and can show a recording prompt automatically. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola surfaces calendar events and can start notes from upcoming meetings. |
| Cross-meeting search | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026The remote MCP server lets compatible AI clients search summaries, notes, and transcripts across meetings. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Ask Granola can answer across past meetings. |
| Shared team memory | PartialSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Public share links, not a full team workspace. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Business workspaces include shared notes and folders for teams. |
From meeting to finished work
Ottex goes furthest when the desired result is finished work, turning meetings into follow-up emails, CRM updates, tickets, notes, and documents. Granola is stronger for polished summaries, decisions, action items, reusable prompts, and shared team memory, while Hedy adds live questions, blind-spot alerts, and talking points. Spokenly offers none of these post-meeting workflows.
See the evidence — 21 claims across 6 toolsverified Aug 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | Wispr Flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decisions, owners, action itemsLeave the meeting with next steps clear | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Decisions with owners extracted. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Meeting summaries include decisions made during the meeting. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola can extract decisions from meetings through templates and AI notes. |
| Follow-up email draftedThe outcome is sent, not summarized | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Drafted from templates or your own. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Recipes can generate follow-up emails from meetings. |
| CRM update / ticket draft | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Structured for the target app. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola lists Attio as an integration for sending meeting notes to CRM records. |
| Your rough notes steer the result | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Rough notes and instructions steer the result. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026User notes are used to guide the generated meeting notes. |
Dictation & transcription AI
Spokenly already offers unusually broad engine choice, local-only processing, BYOK, and 100+ languages. Ottex differentiates with 100+ languages, automatic detection, mixed-language speech, personal vocabulary, and per-app output rules, while FluidVoice provides free open-source local dictation with models covering 99 languages. Aqua Voice is the focused cloud option, with 49 languages and strong automatic formatting across Mac, Windows, and iOS.
See the evidence — 22 claims across 6 toolsverified Aug 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | Wispr Flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engines | Cloud: Whisper, Gemini 3 Flash, Voxtral. Local: Whisper, Parakeet v3.Source: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Hosted routing, BYOK, or fully local. | Whisper, Parakeet, Apple Speech Analyzer, GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova 3, Soniox, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, Fireworks, CerebrasSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Published pages name local, BYOK, managed cloud, and third-party providers across pricing and privacy materials. | Nemotron Speech 3.5, Parakeet Flash, Parakeet TDT v3 and v2, Cohere Transcribe, Apple Speech, WhisperSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026The app publishes seven recognition-engine families with multiple variants. | Local models, Groq, ElevenLabs, Deepgram, Parakeet, Gemini, Mistral, Soniox, custom OpenAI-compatible modelsSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026VoiceInk lists local, cloud, and custom transcription model options. | Wispr cloud voice-to-text engineSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Every plan uses the same cloud-hosted voice-to-text engine. | No public claim |
| Local / on-device optionAudio never leaves the machine | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Whisper and Parakeet v3 run fully on-device. | YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Local Only Mode keeps transcription on-device and blocks network access. | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Supported speech models run on the device after any required download. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Local models run directly on the Mac without an internet connection. | NoSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Flow requires an internet connection for voice transcription. | NoSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola states it requires an internet connection to transcribe and generate notes. |
| Model selection per task | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Choose the model per task and per provider. | YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Docs say users choose between fast and high-accuracy dictation models. | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Users select among the supported recognition models during onboarding or in settings. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Users can choose and set a default transcription model. | No public claim | No public claim |
| Languages & mixed speechWork that crosses languages mid-sentence | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026100+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching. | No public claim | No public claim | No public claim | PartialSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026100+ languages · Code-switching works best with one primary language and occasional foreign words; rapid mid-sentence switching is unsupported. | No public claim |
| Per-app output rules | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Per-app output rules: exact in AI chats, polished in email. | No public claim | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Aug 2026Different prompt sets can be assigned to different applications. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/features — checked Jun 2026Power Mode can automatically apply app or website-specific transcription and enhancement settings. | YesSource: docs.wisprflow.ai/articles — checked Aug 2026Users can set styles by destination category: Personal message, Work messages, Email, and Other. | NoSource: granola.ai — checked Jun 2026Not supported |
The short answerTry Ottex for free
OttexMac, iOS · Free tier · $14/mo · PAYG
Ottex is unusually broad for a young Mac/iOS-first tool: it turns dictation and meetings into emails, tickets, CRM updates, notes, and docs, but it is not the pick if you need Windows, Android, web, browser extension, or compliance paperwork.
Choose Ottex if
- You want one tool for system-wide dictation, meeting recording, and finished written outcomes like follow-up emails, Linear tickets, CRM updates, PRDs, and docs
- You want a real free path: unlimited local dictation, file transcription, and meetings on Mac with Whisper/Parakeet, or BYOK instead of a forced subscription
- You need multilingual dictation with 100+ languages, auto-detection, mixed-language speech, personal vocabulary, and per-app output rules
Look elsewhere if
- You need Windows, Android, Linux, web access, or a browser extension
- You need mature team infrastructure such as a shared workspace, API/webhooks, third-party note destinations, or assistant chat over transcripts today.
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.
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Fill the gaps with:
Wispr FlowStudent$72/yrThis is discounted Flow Pro pricing for eligible students. · Unlimited dictations; paid-plan meeting allowance not numerically publishedOttexOttex Provider — PAYG$135/yrHosted models at cost: dictation ~$0.2/h, meetings ~$0.5/h (~$3/mo average).Wispr FlowFlow Pro$144/yrNotetaker is included at no extra cost but is being rolled out gradually. · Unlimited dictations; higher weekly meeting limit, exact number not publishedOttexSubscription - Pro$168/yr$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included.
Aqua VoicePro Annual+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$264/yr$96 + $168FAQ says Pro is $8/month billed annually after the free words. · Unlimited useSpokenlyPro+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$268/yr$100 + $168The pricing page shows annual billing at $99.99 per year and references Pro cloud features. · High-accuracy cloud models; AI text processing; works out of the box; priority supportAqua VoicePro Monthly+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$288/yr$120 + $168A vendor comparison page lists Pro at $10/month. · Unlimited useWispr FlowBusiness+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$456/yr$288 + $168The published price is per seat, and some business-plan accounts may not have Notetaker access. · Unlimited dictations; Notetaker availability varies by business accountEstimates, 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 Aug 2026.
All nine 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 · PAYG
Spokenly
Mac, Windows, iOSBest when: You want system-wide push-to-talk dictation on macOS, iOS, or Windows, with text inserted directly into the active app.
FluidVoice
MacBest when: You want free, unlimited local dictation without sending voice or transcripts to the vendor.
VoiceInk
Mac, iOSBest when: You want native macOS dictation on Apple Silicon with local models that can run offline.
Wispr Flow
Mac, Windows, iOSBest when: You want polished system-wide dictation across macOS, Windows, iPhone, and beta Android.
Granola
Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidBest when: You want bot-free meeting capture that records from your mic and computer audio without joining calls.
QuickWhisper
MacBest when: You want local-first dictation, file transcription, and bot-free meeting recording on macOS 14.6+ with Apple Silicon.
Dictation Daddy
Mac, Windows, AndroidBest when: You want one-key dictation into whatever app already has your cursor.
Aqua Voice
Mac, Windows, iOSBest when: You want fast, system-wide voice dictation across Mac, Windows, or iOS for everyday writing.
Pick 2–4 tools, then compare.
Move from Spokenly 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 Spokenly. Keep Spokenly 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 Spokenly 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 Spokenly?
Spokenly is a system-wide dictation and file-transcription app for macOS, Windows, and iOS. It fits people who want push-to-talk text insertion, local or cloud engines, and BYOK rather than meeting notes or team memory.
Is Spokenly free?
Yes. Its local Whisper and Parakeet models provide unlimited dictation without a word cap, trial clock, or credit card, and BYOK use carries no Spokenly charge beyond provider costs. FluidVoice and Ottex are the strongest genuinely free alternatives for local dictation; neither relies on a tiny weekly word teaser.
How much does Spokenly cost?
Spokenly Pro costs $99.99 per year, with a 14-day money-back guarantee rather than a free trial. Cheaper alternatives include FluidVoice at no charge, VoiceInk from $25 once, QuickWhisper Pro at $59 once, and Ottex processing at $0.20 per hour.
Does Spokenly work on Windows or Android?
Spokenly supports Windows 10 and 11 but does not support Android. Dictation Daddy covers both Windows and Android, while Wispr Flow ships Windows support and an Android app labeled beta. Ottex is not an answer here because it is limited to Mac and iOS.
Does Spokenly work offline?
Yes. Local Only Mode keeps transcription on the device and blocks network access, while local Whisper and Parakeet use is unlimited. FluidVoice is the stronger alternative when open-source local processing matters, and VoiceInk offers offline Mac dictation from $25 once.
What languages does Spokenly support?
Spokenly lists offline dictation in 100+ languages, but it does not publish claims for automatic language detection or mixed-language speech. Ottex is the stronger alternative for multilingual workflows because it supports 100+ languages, auto-detection, mixed-language speech, personal vocabulary, and per-app output rules.