ComparisonEvery claim sourced · verified Oct 2026

Hedy vs QuickWhisper: the honest comparison.

Three tools. Different strengths. Find your fit.

Ottex iconOttex
Hedy iconHedy
QuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
All comparisons
At a glance

Which one fits your work?

Each tool takes a different approach. Here’s a quick side-by-side to help you choose based on your workflow, platforms, and goals.

Ottex icon

Ottex

Mac, iOS

Choose if

You want dictated emails to follow your saved writing instructions.

Look elsewhere if

You need voice dictation on a Windows computer.

Hedy icon

Hedy

Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Web

Choose if

You want live suggestions during client calls.

Look elsewhere if

You need system-wide dictation for writing across apps.

QuickWhisper icon

QuickWhisper

Mac, iOS

Choose if

You want local dictation and meeting notes without recurring fees.

Look elsewhere if

You need a dictation tool that runs on Windows.

The evidence

Pricing

Hedy Pro is $12.99/mo or $99.99/yr; QuickWhisper is $3.99/mo or $19.99/yr, with MeetMic Pro from $59 one-time. Ottex app access is free with local models or BYOK; BYOK provider charges are separate.

See the evidence — 14 claims across 3 toolsverified Oct 2026Show table
FeatureOttex iconOttexHedy iconHedyQuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
Free tierYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Forever free with local models and BYOK providers.PartialSource: hedy.ai/pricing — checked Oct 2026Up to 5 hours per monthPartialSource: meetmic.app/blog — checked Oct 202610 minutes of dictation a day
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.$2/moSource: apps.apple.com/us — checked Oct 2026The US App Store publishes this annual total but does not specify its capability entitlements or inference billing.
One-time paymentNot applicableSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Application is free$299 one-timeSource: hedy.ai/pricing — checked Oct 2026Lifetime feature access and future updates.$59 one-timeSource: meetmic.app/buy — checked Oct 2026Lifetime updates
Bring your own keyPay the model provider, not the middlemanYesSource: 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.YesSource: meetmic.app/press-kit — checked Oct 2026Optional cloud transcription and summaries use user-provided API keys.
Education discountNoSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Same pricing for everyone.No public claimYesSource: meetmic.app/edu — checked Oct 2026Students and educators with a university-issued email receive 30% off the one-time Pro license; no discounted USD total is published.
The evidence

Platforms

Hedy supports Mac, Windows, iOS, Android and Web. QuickWhisper and Ottex support Mac and iOS, so choose Hedy for Windows or Android meetings.

See the evidence — 5 claims across 3 toolsverified Oct 2026Show table
FeatureOttex iconOttexHedy iconHedyQuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
PlatformsMac, iOSSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, WebSource: hedy.ai/downloads — checked Oct 2026Mac, iOSSource: meetmic.app/press-kit — checked Oct 2026
Native app footprintLight on memory, instant to invokeYesSource: 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
The evidence

Meetings & team memory

Hedy, QuickWhisper and Ottex record without bots. QuickWhisper sends no meeting chat or calendar recording notices; Ottex has an experimental, opt-in macOS camera recording watermark that proves neither visibility nor consent.

See the evidence — 19 claims across 3 toolsverified Oct 2026Show table
FeatureOttex iconOttexHedy iconHedyQuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
Meeting recordingThe call is captured at allYesSource: 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: meetmic.app/changelog — checked Oct 2026Meeting recording became available without a license in version 1.33.
Bot-free captureNo "recording bot" joins your callYesSource: 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: meetmic.app — checked Oct 2026Captures Mac audio without joining the call as a participant.
Camera recording watermarkShow recording in your camera videoPartialExperimental 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 claimNo public claim
Participant noticesRecording notices in chat or calendarNo public claimNo public claimNoSource: meetmic.app/blog — checked Oct 2026The vendor states that recording notifications are not broadcast to other participants.
Speaker separationYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Nemotron separates speakers on supported devices, with names inferred from conversation context or entered manually.PartialSource: meetmic.app/press-kit — checked Oct 2026Local diarization distinguishes up to 4 speakers, and a speaker registry remembers renamed voices.
Calendar detectionYesSource: 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: meetmic.app/changelog — checked Oct 2026Apple Calendar and Google Calendar supply meeting events.
Cross-meeting searchYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026PartialSource: hedy.ai/help — checked Oct 2026Topic chat searches related sessions; Free includes one topic, while Pro supports unlimited topics and chat across them.YesSource: meetmic.app/press-kit — checked Oct 2026Full-text and semantic search retrieve past transcripts across the local archive.
Shared team memoryPartialSource: 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.No public claim
The evidence

From meeting to finished work

Hedy has chat prompts for transcripts; follow-up emails need external automation. QuickWhisper and Ottex use transcript document templates to draft follow-ups, CRM notes and tickets; Ottex also has chat prompts for transcripts.

See the evidence — 15 claims across 3 toolsverified Oct 2026Show table
FeatureOttex iconOttexHedy iconHedyQuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
Meeting template libraryTurn a transcript into a structured documentYesSource: 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 claimYesSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026Ready-made prompts automatically receive the transcript and generate structured documents such as technical meeting notes with decisions, blockers, tickets, and follow-ups.
Transcript chat prompt libraryReady-made prompts for AI chat about meetingsYesSource: 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.No public claim
Decisions, owners, action itemsLeave the meeting with next steps clearYesSource: 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: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026The Decision log prompt extracts decisions, rationale, and owners from the transcript.
Follow-up email draftedThe outcome is sent, not summarizedYesSource: 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.YesSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026A reusable transcript prompt drafts a follow-up email.
CRM update / ticket draftYesSource: 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.YesSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026Call notes for the CRM generates a structured note for manual insertion into a CRM.
Your rough notes steer the resultYesSource: 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.No public claim
The evidence

Dictation & transcription AI

Hedy lacks app dictation. QuickWhisper’s direct Mac build and Ottex format dictation, use custom dictionaries and automatically apply saved writing rules; Ottex also inserts saved text through voice triggers.

See the evidence — 30 claims across 3 toolsverified Oct 2026Show table
FeatureOttex iconOttexHedy iconHedyQuickWhisper iconQuickWhisper
EnginesCloud: Whisper, Gemini 3 Flash, Voxtral. Local: Whisper, Parakeet v3.Source: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Hosted routing, BYOK, or fully local.No public claimWhisper, Apple transcription, NVIDIA Parakeet, Nemotron, MLX modelsSource: meetmic.app/press-kit — checked Oct 2026Local speech models and optional API-key-based cloud transcription are available.
Local / on-device optionAudio never leaves the machineYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Whisper and Parakeet v3 run fully on-device.NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.YesSource: meetmic.app/blog — checked Oct 2026Installed local models transcribe without an internet connection.
Model selection per taskYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Choose the model per task and per provider.NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.YesSource: meetmic.app/changelog — checked Oct 2026Users select transcription models in Settings and can import custom Whisper models.
Languages & mixed speechWork that crosses languages mid-sentenceYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026100+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching.NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported for system-wide dictation.No public claim
Automatic formattingYesSource: 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.YesSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026The selectable Clean up prompt adds punctuation, topic paragraphs, and lists where appropriate.
Custom dictionaryYesSource: 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.YesSource: meetmic.app/changelog — checked Oct 2026Dictation settings provide a custom vocabulary and replacement list with export and import.
Voice snippetsSay a saved phrase to insert a link or textYesSource: 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.No public claim
Custom voice instructionsFree-form rules applied after dictationYesSource: 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.PartialSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026Users can save and edit dictation prompts that process speech before insertion, with automatic app or website selection in the direct Mac build.
Tone presetsChoose a predefined writing styleYesSelect 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.PartialSource: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026The direct Mac build accepts predefined dictation prompts including Professional, Chat message, and Email.
Text transforms / AI ShortcutsApply an AI action to existing textYesSource: 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: meetmic.app/prompts — checked Oct 2026AI prompts transform existing transcripts into summaries and other documents; arbitrary selected or copied text actions were not verified.
Per-app output rulesYesSource: ottex.ai — checked Oct 2026Per-app output rules: exact in AI chats, polished in email.NoSource: hedy.ai/features — checked Oct 2026Not supported.PartialSource: meetmic.app/changelog — checked Oct 2026Dictation prompts switch by app or website, with website matching limited to Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Brave, Arc, and Dia.
FAQ

Questions people actually ask.

Hedy vs QuickWhisper: which should I choose?

Choose Hedy for live call coaching or Windows meetings; choose QuickWhisper for local Mac dictation and meeting notes with a $59 one-time license. Ottex fits when you also want voice-triggered saved text and AI rewrites of selected or copied text.

Is Hedy or QuickWhisper free?

Hedy allows up to 5 meeting hours/month free; QuickWhisper includes 10 minutes of dictation/day and free meeting recording from version 1.33. Ottex offers free app access with local models or BYOK, with provider charges separate.

How much do Hedy and QuickWhisper cost?

Hedy costs $99.99/yr for Pro or $299 for Lifetime; QuickWhisper lists $19.99/yr, MeetMic Pro from $59 one-time and a $69.99 lifetime license. Ottex Pro costs $168/yr, with free local-model or BYOK app access and separate provider charges.

Is Hedy or QuickWhisper better for privacy?

Choose QuickWhisper or Ottex with local models to keep dictation audio on-device. Hedy has no verified local option; it uses cloud AI for transcript cleanup, while its audio destination is unverified.

Is it worth switching from Hedy to QuickWhisper?

Switch to QuickWhisper’s direct Mac build for local dictation into apps; stay with Hedy for live call suggestions or Windows and Android access. Ottex also supports Mac dictation, adding voice-triggered saved text and AI rewrites of selected or copied text.

Do Hedy and QuickWhisper work on Windows or Android?

Hedy supports Windows and Android for meetings, but cannot dictate into other apps. QuickWhisper and Ottex support Mac and iOS and have no Windows or Android app listed.

Are Hedy and QuickWhisper bot-free?

Hedy, QuickWhisper and Ottex record without a bot joining the call. Hedy asks users to obtain consent manually, QuickWhisper sends no meeting chat or calendar recording notices, and Ottex’s experimental, opt-in macOS camera recording watermark does not prove consent.

Try Ottex for Mac and iOS.

Free with local models or your own key. Keep Hedy and QuickWhisper installed while you decide — they coexist fine.

We make Ottex, and this page says so plainly. Where Hedy or QuickWhisper is the better pick, we say it by name. Found an outdated claim? Tell us at [email protected] and we'll fix it within a week. Last verified Oct 2026.