Eko · Comparison
Superwhisper vs Eko
Superwhisper is the closest competitor to Eko in spirit — local processing, custom AI modes, and a lifetime option — but its lifetime price is over 6x higher. Our take on Superwhisper: 4.2/5.
Get Eko for Mac — $39What is Superwhisper?
Superwhisper is a dictation app for macOS, Windows, and iOS that transcribes speech using local Whisper/Parakeet models or cloud LLMs, then reformats the output using customizable 'Modes'. It holds a 4.4/5 rating from roughly 800 Mac App Store reviews and 4.9/5 on Product Hunt. One license covers both Mac and iPhone.
Superwhisper pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Local small AI models, 100+ languages, custom prompt control (per superwhisper.com; some third-party trackers describe it as a time-limited trial instead) |
| Pro (monthly) | $9.99/month | Access to larger local models and cloud LLMs (GPT-5, Claude Haiku 4.5, Llama 4, Grok 4.1, Gemini 3.0 Flash, Ministral) |
| Pro (annual) | $84.99/year (~$8.99/mo) | Cheaper than monthly billing |
| Lifetime | $249.99 one-time | All paid features and future updates on macOS, Windows, iOS; breaks even vs. annual around year 3 |
Strengths
- ✓Can run 100% offline using local Whisper Tiny/Base/Small/Standard or NVIDIA Parakeet models — no API charges, audio never leaves the device
- ✓Custom Vocabulary (with CSV import) and Custom Modes let you fully script AI processing instructions
- ✓Offers a genuine one-time lifetime license ($249.99), unlike Wispr Flow
- ✓Strong ratings: 4.4/5 on the Mac App Store (~800 ratings), 4.9/5 on Product Hunt
Where it falls short
- ·Lifetime license costs $249.99 — over 6x Eko's $39 one-time price
- ·Cloud LLM post-processing (GPT-5, Claude, etc.) still requires sending text/audio off-device if you use those modes
- ·Windows app is newer and less mature than the Mac app
- ·No built-in screen/vision analysis or app-launching actions like Eko
Superwhisper vs Eko
| Superwhisper | Eko | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free / $9.99/mo / $249.99 lifetime | $39 one-time, no subscription |
| AI model / processing | Local Whisper/Parakeet models, or optional cloud LLMs (GPT-5, Claude, Llama, Grok, Gemini) | On-device local model OR your own API key — your choice |
| Platforms | macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel), Windows, iOS | macOS only (Apple Silicon M1+, macOS 14+) |
| Offline / on-device | Yes, with local models — a genuine strength | Yes — fully local dictation and actions with no internet required |
| Beyond dictation | Custom Modes, custom vocabulary, app-aware formatting | Correct, translate, ask AI on selection, vision/screen reading, open apps/folders, unlimited custom actions |
| Privacy | Strong when using local models; cloud modes send data to third-party model providers | Local mode keeps audio on-device; BYO-key mode only talks to the provider you choose |
Choose Superwhisper if…
- ✓Choose Superwhisper if you want a mature app on Mac, Windows, and iOS with one license
- ✓Choose Superwhisper if you want deep custom-mode scripting and don't mind the higher lifetime price
- ✓Choose Superwhisper if you want access to a wide menu of frontier cloud models alongside local ones
Skip it if…
- ·Skip Superwhisper if $249.99 for lifetime access feels steep compared to cheaper one-time tools
- ·Skip Superwhisper if you don't need Windows/iOS and just want a focused Mac tool
- ·Skip Superwhisper if you want built-in screen vision or app-launching, which it doesn't offer
Why people pick Eko
- ✓Eko's $39 one-time price is a fraction of Superwhisper's $249.99 lifetime tier
- ✓Both offer genuine on-device/offline processing, but Eko also lets you bring your own API key for any provider rather than being limited to Superwhisper's built-in model menu
- ✓Eko adds screen vision and app/folder launching, which Superwhisper does not offer
- ✓Superwhisper is more mature cross-platform (Windows, iOS); Eko is Mac-only but purpose-built for Apple Silicon
$39 once · No subscription · macOS 14.0 or later, Apple Silicon (M1+)
FAQ
Is Superwhisper's $249.99 lifetime plan worth it?
It pays for itself versus the annual plan around year three of continuous use, and includes local processing and future updates, but it's a large upfront cost compared to cheaper one-time apps like Eko ($39).
Does Superwhisper work offline?
Yes — Superwhisper can run 100% offline using local Whisper or NVIDIA Parakeet models, though its larger cloud LLM modes (GPT-5, Claude, etc.) require an internet connection.
Superwhisper vs Eko: which one-time purchase is better value?
Superwhisper's lifetime tier costs $249.99 versus Eko's $39; both support local on-device processing, but Eko also lets you supply your own API key and adds vision, app-launching, and correction features beyond dictation.
What's the best Superwhisper alternative for Mac only?
If you don't need Windows or iOS support, Mac-focused alternatives like Eko offer a lower one-time price and more non-dictation actions (correct, translate, vision, app launching).
Is Superwhisper's free plan actually free or just a trial?
Sources conflict: Superwhisper's own site describes a permanent free tier using small local AI models, while some third-party reviewers describe a time-limited trial — check superwhisper.com directly for the current terms.
How good is Superwhisper's custom vocabulary feature?
It lets you add names, jargon, and technical terms (including CSV bulk import) as recognition hints, which reviewers say meaningfully improves accuracy on domain-specific speech.
Does Superwhisper have custom actions like Eko?
Yes, its Custom Modes let you write your own AI processing instructions for dictated text, similar in spirit to Eko's unlimited custom actions, though Superwhisper lacks Eko's screen vision and app-launching hotkeys.