Compare Retext and Spokenly side-by-side. See which dictation app is the best fit for your workflow.
Choose Retext if you want on-device transcription by default, push-to-talk on one key, and snippets and dictation in one app.
Choose Spokenly if you need free local dictation without a subscription.
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.
Native Mac text expander with built-in voice dictation. Hold right Option, speak, and your words land at the cursor, polished on your Mac (beta) if you like.
Pricing:
Dictation and polish on your Mac come with every plan. See the pricing page.
Free tier: Dictation and polish on your Mac, plus 5 snippets
Runs on: Mac
Best for:
Dictation for Mac, Windows, Linux and iPhone with free local models, optional cloud models and AI modes
Pricing:
Local+ $29 one-time; Pro $12/month billed yearly ($144) or $15 month to month
Free tier: Unlimited local dictation with Whisper or Parakeet, no account; cloud and AI with your own API keys
Runs on: Mac, Windows, Linux and iPhone
Best for:
| 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 |
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).
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.
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 runs on Mac, Windows, Linux and iPhone. Retext runs on Mac.
Spokenly is the better fit for free local dictation without a subscription, people who want to pick their own models and keys and developers dictating into coding agents. Choose Retext if you want transcription on your Mac by default.
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.