Looking for a Spokenly alternative? Retext adds on-device voice dictation to a native Mac text expander.
Retext is a good Spokenly alternative if you want transcription on your Mac by default, push-to-talk on right Option, and your snippets in the same app.
Spokenly gives you more model choices, transcribes files, runs on Windows and Linux, and its cloud AI modes go further than Retext's polish (beta). Retext transcribes on your Mac with Apple's speech engine and polishes on-device, with snippets, notes and Teams in the same native app.
Local by default: your audio is transcribed on your Mac
No audio or transcripts are sent to Retext's server
Polish (beta) runs on your Mac with Apple Intelligence, never in the cloud
Hands-free mode (beta) pauses itself in password fields and password managers
Your text expander and your dictation in one app
| Feature | Retext | Spokenly |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Dictation | ||
| AI Cleanup & Rewriting | Beta | |
| Audio File Transcription | Not available | |
| Privacy & Local Storage | ||
| Snippet Expansion | ||
| Team Sharing | ||
| Cross-Platform |
| Product | Pricing Model | Price | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retext | Freemium | Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page. | Dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets |
| Spokenly | Freemium | Local+ $29 one-time; Pro $12/month billed yearly ($144) or $15 month to month | Unlimited local dictation with Whisper or Parakeet, no account; cloud and AI with your own API keys |
Migration difficulty: easy
We couldn't find an export for Spokenly's Custom Dictionary or Word Replacements. Recreate the replacements you use as Retext snippets; they then work as typed triggers and by voice (voice commands are in beta).
Retext adds on-device voice dictation to a native Mac text expander. Spokenly gives you more model choices, transcribes files, runs on Windows and Linux, and its cloud AI modes go further than Retext's polish (beta). Retext transcribes on your Mac with Apple's speech engine and polishes on-device, with snippets, notes and Teams in the same native app.
Cloud models and AI processing cost extra or need your own keys; The App Store and website versions differ; Team seats share no dictionary.
Yes. Spokenly's free option: unlimited local dictation with Whisper or Parakeet, no account; cloud and AI with your own API keys. Paid: Local+ $29 one-time; Pro $12/month billed yearly ($144) or $15 month to month.
Yes. Retext's free plan includes dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets. Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page.
Spokenly is the better choice for free local dictation without a subscription, people who want to pick their own models and keys and developers dictating into coding agents.
We couldn't find an export for Spokenly's Custom Dictionary or Word Replacements. Recreate the replacements you use as Retext snippets; they then work as typed triggers and by voice (voice commands are in beta).
Download Retext, turn on Voice Dictation in Settings, and hold right Option to talk.
Sources
Spokenly, checked October 28, 2026: Spokenly · Spokenly pricing · Spokenly file transcription
Prices and features change. Check each vendor's site before you buy.