Speakmac vs Wispr Flow: Mac Dictation Compared

Searching for a Wispr Flow alternative? Wispr Flow made waves when it launched in late 2024, quickly becoming one of the most popular dictation apps with its cross-platform support and lifestyle-focused branding. But if you're a Mac user who cares about privacy, offline capability, or subscription fatigue, there's another option worth considering.

Speakmac offers a fundamentally different approach: 100% on-device processing, one-time purchase pricing, and a native Mac app that's 200x smaller. Here's how they compare.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Speakmac	Wispr Flow
Pricing	$19 one-time	$180/year ($15/mo)
Processing	100% on-device	Cloud (OpenAI/Meta servers)
Internet Required	No	Yes
Platforms	Mac	Mac, Windows, iOS
App Size	4 MB	~800 MB
Privacy	Audio never leaves Mac	Voice processed on remote servers
5-Year Cost	$19	$900

Pricing: The Long Game

Wispr Flow pricing:

• Free tier: 2,000 words per week
• Flow Pro: $15/month or $12/month (annual billing)
• Flow Teams: $12/user/month (minimum 3 users)
• Two-week free trial available

Speakmac pricing:

• Full app: $19 one-time
• No word limits
• No subscription
• Free updates

What You Pay Over Time

Timeframe	Speakmac	Wispr Flow
Year 1	$19	$180
Year 2	$19 (total)	$360 (total)
Year 3	$19 (total)	$540 (total)
Year 5	$19 (total)	$900 (total)

Speakmac costs 98% less over five years. And Speakmac pays for itself in about 4 weeks compared to Wispr's monthly cost.

The Privacy Question

This is where the apps diverge most significantly.

Wispr Flow processes audio in the cloud:

• Voice data sent to OpenAI and Meta servers
• SOC 2 Type II compliant with HIPAA controls
• Enterprise-grade security, but still cloud processing
• Users report lack of clarity on what context data is collected
• Requires constant internet connection

Speakmac processes everything locally:

• Audio never leaves your Mac
• No servers, no uploads, no data transfers
• Works completely offline
• Full data sovereignty—you own everything

For lawyers, doctors, journalists, consultants, or anyone handling sensitive information, this distinction is critical. Even with SOC 2 compliance, cloud processing means your voice traverses networks and sits on third-party servers.

Cross-Platform vs Mac-Native

Wispr Flow's biggest advantage: it works everywhere.

• Mac, Windows, and iOS support
• Same subscription covers all devices
• Great for teams with mixed hardware

Speakmac focuses exclusively on Mac:

• Built native for macOS
• No Electron wrapper or web technology
• Deep system integration
• 4 MB footprint (vs ~800 MB)

If you need Windows support, Wispr Flow wins. If you're Mac-only and want the cleanest native experience, Speakmac is the leaner choice.

Performance & Resources

Users frequently note Wispr Flow's resource intensity:

• ~800 MB app size
• Around 8% constant CPU usage even in background
• 8-10 second startup delays reported
• "Days where it works flawless and days where it's less good"

Speakmac takes the opposite approach:

• 4 MB total
• Minimal CPU when idle
• Instant launch and activation
• Consistent performance (no server dependency)

That 200x size difference isn't just about disk space—it reflects fundamentally different architectures.

Features Head-to-Head

Wispr Flow strengths:

• "Hey Flow" command mode for text rewriting ("make this friendlier")
• 100+ language support with seamless bilingual switching
• Custom dictionary for names, acronyms, phrases
• Auto-formatting without punctuation commands
• Cross-platform sync
• Enterprise team features

Speakmac strengths:

• 99.7% accuracy on English dictation
• Zero network latency (everything on-device)
• Works in any Mac app
• Automatic punctuation and spacing
• Pause-friendly—pick up dictation where you left off
• Global hotkey activation
• Privacy-first design

Wispr Flow excels at multilingual support and AI text enhancement. Speakmac wins on privacy, offline capability, and raw transcription speed.

Who Should Choose Which

Choose Wispr Flow if you:

• Need cross-platform support (Mac + Windows + iOS)
• Work heavily in multiple languages (100+ supported)
• Want AI to rewrite and improve your text
• Have reliable internet and aren't privacy-sensitive
• Need enterprise team features and HIPAA compliance
• Are comfortable with subscription pricing

Choose Speakmac if you:

• Are a Mac-only user
• Want to pay once instead of forever
• Need offline dictation (flights, secure offices, travel)
• Handle sensitive information requiring local processing
• Prefer native Mac apps over resource-heavy cross-platform tools
• Want the fastest possible transcription (no network round-trip)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Wispr Flow work offline?

No. Wispr Flow requires constant internet connectivity because it processes audio on cloud servers.

Does Speakmac support multiple languages?

Speakmac is optimised for English (US/UK/India) with additional language support expanding. For 100+ languages, Wispr Flow currently has broader coverage.

Which is more accurate?

Both achieve high accuracy. Speakmac reports 99.7% on English. Wispr Flow users describe it as "scary good." The main difference is consistency—Speakmac doesn't depend on network conditions.

Is Wispr Flow's cloud processing safe?

Wispr Flow is SOC 2 Type II compliant with HIPAA controls. That's enterprise-grade security. However, your voice still travels to and is processed on remote servers owned by third parties (OpenAI, Meta).

What about the free tier?

Wispr Flow offers 2,000 words per week for free—useful for light usage. Speakmac has no word limits at any tier; you pay once for unlimited use.

Which has better support?

Wispr Flow has a larger team and dedicated customer support. Speakmac is an indie app with direct developer support.

The Bottom Line

Wispr Flow is a powerful, feature-rich dictation tool that shines if you need cross-platform support and don't mind cloud processing. Its AI text enhancement features are impressive.

Speakmac is for Mac users who want professional dictation without the subscription trap, resource overhead, or privacy trade-offs. It's offline, instant, private, and costs what Wispr charges for a single month.

If you're looking for a Wispr Flow alternative that keeps your audio completely local and your wallet lighter, Speakmac delivers exactly that.