Eko · Alternatives
The best Spokenly alternative for Mac
Spokenly's free, unlimited on-device tier is genuinely generous and cross-platform, but its Pro features live behind an open-ended $9.99/mo subscription with no lifetime option, and it has no screen-vision feature. Our take on Spokenly: 3.9/5.
Get Eko for Mac — $39What is Spokenly?
Spokenly is a voice-to-text dictation app for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux that transcribes speech using free local Whisper/Parakeet models on Apple Silicon, your own API keys (OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, and others), or Spokenly-managed cloud models on its paid tier. Beyond raw dictation it offers AI Instructions (correct, translate, reformat text), Agentic Actions (open apps, run Shortcuts, search the web, hand off to ChatGPT/Claude), and an MCP server that lets coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor accept voice input. It reports 100,000+ users and holds around a 4.4-4.5/5 rating on the App Store.
Spokenly pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local models | $0 | Unlimited, offline Whisper & Parakeet transcription on Apple Silicon — no caps, no trial clock |
| Your API keys (BYOK) | $0 | Connect your own OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, etc. keys; you pay the provider directly |
| Pro (monthly) | $9.99/month | Managed cloud models (GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova 3, Soniox) with no API-key setup, hosted AI text processing, priority support |
| Pro (annual) | $99.99/year (~$8.33/mo) | One subscription covers macOS, iOS, and Windows; ~17% cheaper than monthly billing |
Strengths
- ✓Free tier offers genuinely unlimited, offline local transcription (Whisper/Parakeet) with no word caps or credit card required
- ✓Cross-platform: one Pro subscription covers macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux
- ✓Agentic Actions and an MCP server let it open apps, run Shortcuts, and feed voice input directly into coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor
- ✓AI Instructions can correct grammar and translate dictated text on the fly, not just transcribe it
- ✓Solid App Store rating (~4.4-4.5/5) and an active release cadence
Where it falls short
- ·Pro tier is subscription-only ($9.99/mo or $99.99/yr) with no lifetime or one-time-purchase option
- ·BYOK cloud setup requires managing API keys across multiple providers — friction for non-technical users
- ·No screen/vision feature — it cannot read or reason about what is on your display
- ·iOS keyboard reliability has been flagged in reviews, with the developer reportedly recommending online models to work around it
- ·No published SOC 2, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 attestation for teams with compliance requirements
Spokenly vs Eko
| Spokenly | Eko | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (local/BYOK) or $9.99/mo, $99.99/yr Pro; no lifetime option | $39 one-time, no subscription |
| AI model / processing | Local Whisper/Parakeet (free) or your own API key; Pro adds managed cloud models (GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova 3, Soniox) | On-device local model OR your own API key — your choice |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux | macOS only (Apple Silicon M1+, macOS 14+) |
| Offline / on-device | Yes — free local Whisper/Parakeet models plus a Local Only Mode that blocks all network requests | Yes — fully local dictation and actions with no internet required |
| Beyond dictation | AI Instructions (correct, translate, reformat), Agentic Actions (open apps, run Shortcuts, web search, hand off to ChatGPT/Claude), MCP server for coding agents | Correct, translate, ask AI on selection, vision/screen reading, open apps/folders, unlimited custom actions |
| Privacy | Local Only Mode for fully on-device use; BYOK/cloud modes send audio to whichever provider you configure; no SOC 2/HIPAA attestation found | Local mode keeps audio on-device; BYO-key mode only talks to the provider you choose |
Choose Spokenly if…
- ✓Choose Spokenly if you want a genuinely free, unlimited local dictation tool and are happy to stop there
- ✓Choose Spokenly if you need the same dictation app on Windows, Linux, or iPhone in addition to Mac
- ✓Choose Spokenly if you're a developer who wants voice input wired into Claude Code, Cursor, or other MCP-compatible agents
- ✓Choose Spokenly if you don't mind managing your own API keys, or paying $9.99/mo for managed cloud models
Skip it if…
- ·Skip Spokenly if you want to pay once and be done, rather than an open-ended Pro subscription
- ·Skip Spokenly if you want built-in screen vision that can read and reason about what's on your display
- ·Skip Spokenly if you've seen the iOS keyboard reliability complaints and want a more mature mobile experience
- ·Skip Spokenly if you need SOC 2 or HIPAA attestations for regulated work
Why people pick Eko
- ✓Eko is a single $39 one-time purchase — Spokenly's free tier is generous, but its Pro features (managed cloud models, hosted AI processing) recur at $9.99/mo indefinitely with no lifetime option
- ✓Both apps can run fully local or let you bring your own API key, but Eko adds screen vision — reading and reasoning about what's on your display — which Spokenly does not offer
- ✓Eko bundles dictate, correct, translate, ask-AI, vision, and app-launching behind one shortcut; Spokenly spreads similar ground across AI Instructions, Agentic Actions, and a separate MCP server for developers
- ✓Eko is Mac-only and built specifically for Apple Silicon, trading Spokenly's Windows/Linux/iOS reach for a tighter, purpose-built local-first experience
$39 once · No subscription · macOS 14.0 or later, Apple Silicon (M1+)
FAQ
Is Spokenly actually free, or is that just a trial?
The local Whisper/Parakeet tier is free forever with unlimited usage and no credit card required; only the managed-cloud-model Pro tier ($9.99/mo or $99.99/yr) costs money, and you can also bring your own API keys for free instead of paying for Pro.
Does Spokenly work offline?
Yes — its free local models (Whisper and Parakeet) run entirely on-device on Apple Silicon, and a Local Only Mode can block all network requests for full offline privacy.
Spokenly vs Eko: which is better value?
Spokenly's local tier is free but its Pro tier is an open-ended $9.99/mo subscription with no lifetime option; Eko is a single $39 one-time purchase that also adds screen vision, which Spokenly lacks.
Does Spokenly have a lifetime or one-time-purchase plan?
No — as of 2026, Spokenly's paid Pro tier is subscription-only at $9.99/month or $99.99/year, with no lifetime buyout option.
Can Spokenly do more than plain dictation?
Yes — its AI Instructions can correct grammar, translate, and reformat dictated text, and its Agentic Actions can open apps, run Shortcuts, search the web, or hand text off to ChatGPT or Claude, though it has no screen-vision feature.
Is Spokenly good for developers and coding agents?
Yes — Spokenly ships an MCP server with built-in setup for Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor, letting you dictate directly into AI coding agents, which is a distinctive feature versus most dictation apps.
What's the best Spokenly alternative if I don't want a subscription?
Apps sold as a single one-time purchase, such as Eko ($39) or Superwhisper's lifetime tier ($249.99), are the main alternatives if you want to avoid Spokenly's recurring Pro subscription.