1Our pick · The all-in-one local AI assistant
Typilot.
The only entry on this list that does voice plus typing, polish, meetings, notes, and 27 inline AI commands - all locally, on macOS, Windows, and Linux. No cloud round-trip. Lifetime license option. Disclosure: we built it - that is why it is at the top.
2
Superwhisper
Most polished local-Whisper dictation app - the best step up from Handy for Mac, Windows, and iOS.
Pros
- +Fully local Whisper transcription - audio never leaves the device
- +Mature, polished dictation UX built over many releases
- +iOS app for on-the-go dictation syncing with Mac and Windows
- +Free tier plus $249 lifetime option
Cons
- −Voice dictation only - no inline AI commands, polish, meetings, or notes
- −No Linux support (Handy has Linux)
- −Costs money - $8.49/mo or $249 lifetime vs. Handy free
3
Spokenly
Free local dictation on Mac, Windows, and iPhone - same $0 price point as Handy but with iPhone support.
Pros
- +Completely free to use - no subscription, no account, no word cap
- +Local Whisper and Parakeet models - audio stays on device
- +Mac, Windows, and iPhone support
- +BYOK for optional AI formatting with your own API keys
Cons
- −No Linux support (Handy has Linux)
- −Newer and less mature than Superwhisper or Handy
- −Parakeet is English-only; switch to Whisper for other languages
- −No meetings, notes, or full AI command layer
4
VoiceInk
Open-source local Whisper dictation for macOS - auditable codebase, one-time price from $25.
Pros
- +Fully local Whisper inference - audio never leaves the device
- +Open source and auditable - same transparency as Handy
- +One-time price from $25 for a compiled binary (free to build from source)
- +Clean Mac-native UX focused on live dictation
Cons
- −macOS-only - no Windows, Linux, or iOS
- −Voice dictation only - no AI commands, polish, or meeting recap
- −Smaller community and ecosystem than Handy or Superwhisper
5
DictaFlow
App-aware dictation with local Whisper and optional cloud AI formatting - smart adjustments per active app.
Pros
- +App-Aware context detection adjusts formatting per active app (Slack, Gmail, VS Code)
- +"Actually Override" hands-free voice correction rewrites in-place on a voice command
- +Local Whisper for transcription - audio stays on device by default
- +Remote Desktop and Citrix support - unique in the category
- +Free tier with 2,000 words per month
Cons
- −Optional AI formatting layer is a cloud call - text reaches DictaFlow servers when enabled
- −No Linux build (Handy has Linux)
- −$7/mo subscription with no lifetime option
- −No meetings, notes, or inline AI command layer beyond dictation
6
MacWhisper
Mac-only local Whisper, cheap one-time price, excellent for batch audio file transcription.
Pros
- +Local Whisper inference, one-time price
- +Best-in-class batch transcription of audio files (drag and drop folders)
- +Mature support for large-v3 and distil-large-v3 models
- +Tiny install footprint
Cons
- −Mac-only - no Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android
- −Voice and transcription only - no AI polish, commands, or meeting recap
- −Not free - $59 Pro or $99 Max one-time
7
Wispr Flow
Polished cloud dictation on Mac, Windows, and mobile - most refined voice UX if cloud is acceptable.
Pros
- +Mature, polished voice UX refined over many releases
- +Fast on any hardware - cloud handles inference, no GPU needed
- +SOC 2 Type II + HIPAA-ready for regulated industries
- +Optional Privacy Mode - no audio or transcript retained on servers after processing
Cons
- −Cloud-only - audio leaves your machine every time, unlike Handy
- −No Linux, no Android
- −Subscription only at $15/mo - no free tier, no lifetime option
- −Voice dictation only - no AI commands or meeting recap
8
macOS Dictation (built-in)
Apple's local dictation in macOS Sonoma+ - free, on-device on Apple Silicon, works in any text field.
Pros
- +Free - already on your Mac
- +Runs locally on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later)
- +Works in every text field at the OS level, no install needed
Cons
- −Mac-only
- −No AI commands, polish, or formatting layer
- −Punctuation and accuracy lag dedicated tools like Handy or Superwhisper
Free with macOS