Voice that does things.
Superwhisper's Modes rewrite the transcript. Vowen adds an action layer: voice shortcuts, system utilities like timers, conversions and PDF merges, and Command Mode, which acts on your selection, your files or your screen.
Vowen vs Superwhisper.
Two local-first tools. Different ceilings.
Superwhisper turns your voice into better text. Vowen turns your voice into action: voice shortcuts, commands, and meeting notes whose summaries know who spoke.
Free forever for dictation. Mac and Windows. No account required.
At a glance. The short version.
Dimension
SuperwhisperVowen
SuperwhisperVowenVoice can
SuperwhisperInsert text
VowenInsert text and trigger actions
Customization
SuperwhisperModes (prompt-rewrite)No scripts or webhooks
VowenTones, voice shortcuts and commands
Meeting notes
SuperwhisperSpeakers in segments onlyNot in AI summaries
VowenSpeakers in summaryTemplates and chat
Cross-platform
SuperwhisperMac strongWindows build newer
VowenMac and WindowsSame features on both
Free tier
SuperwhisperSmall local modelsNo AI post-processing
VowenFull dictation and AIAI with your own key
Pricing model
Superwhisper$8.49 / mo or $249.99 lifetime
Vowen$49 onceLifetime updates
What Superwhisper does well. Credit where it is due.
These are the areas where Superwhisper's approach stands out.
A fair look
Modes ecosystem
Their flagship idea is well developed: a library of prompt-driven Modes that reshape transcripts per context, like a formal email, a JIRA ticket or JSON, with per-app switching. The community shares a long catalog of Modes.
A fair look
Deep model menu
Whisper sizes from Tiny to Large v3, NVIDIA Parakeet, their own cloud models, and your own key for Deepgram and ElevenLabs. If you like to A/B transcription engines, the surface is wide.
A fair look
iOS keyboard
Superwhisper ships a system-wide iOS keyboard. If dictation on your phone matters as much as on your laptop, it is available today. Vowen's iOS app is still on the roadmap.
A fair look
Apple Silicon polish
Years of Mac-first work show: tight OS integration, fast on-device inference on M-series chips, and the small details Mac power users notice.
How Vowen differs. Shown in the app.
Four design decisions that separate Vowen's approach from Superwhisper's.
Meeting notes that know who spoke.
Superwhisper's docs say speaker labels stay in the transcript. Vowen carries them through, so names show up in your summary and action items.
A free tier that does real work.
Vowen Free covers unlimited dictation and AI cleanup with your own key. Superwhisper's free plan sticks to small local models without AI post-processing.
$0forever
- Unlimited dictation
- AI cleanup with your own key
- Unlimited dictionary
- 99 languages
- No credit card
Cross-platform parity.
Vowen is built for macOS and Windows in parallel: same features, same releases, no second-class build. Handy if half your team is on Windows or you switch machines.
macOSSame app, same releases.
WindowsSame app, same releases.
Full comparison. Everything, side by side.
| Feature | Superwhisper | Vowen |
|---|---|---|
| Customization and automation | ||
| Prompt-driven modes / templates | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Voice-triggered actions (no hotkey) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Voice system commands (timers, PDFs, conversions) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Voice shortcuts (launch apps, websites, scripts) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Webhooks / scripts | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Mode chaining (output to next mode) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Per-app auto-switching | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Meeting notes | ||
| Local recording of meetings | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Captures system audio (other participants) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Speaker identification | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Speakers included in AI summary | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Built-in templates | SuperwhisperUser-built | Vowen |
| Meeting auto-detect | Superwhisper | VowenPro |
| Calendar integration | Superwhisper | VowenGoogle, Pro |
| AI flexibility | ||
| Bring your own API key | SuperwhisperOpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, Grok, DeepSeek and more | VowenOpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, DeepSeek, OpenRouter and more |
| Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Local LLM (Ollama / LM Studio) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Swap models per task | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Custom cleanup instructions | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Privacy and processing | ||
| On-device transcription (default) | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Audio stays on device | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Works offline | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Platforms and languages | ||
| macOS | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Windows | SuperwhisperAvailable (newer) | Vowen |
| iOS | Superwhisper | VowenComing soon |
| Android | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Linux | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Dictation languages | Superwhisper100+ | Vowen99 |
| Custom vocabulary | Superwhisper | Vowen |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | SuperwhisperSmall local models only | VowenFull dictation and AI |
| Paid plan model | Superwhisper$8.49 / mo or $249.99 lifetime | Vowen$49 one-time |
| Lifetime updates included | SuperwhisperLifetime tier only | Vowen |
Common questions.
Still deciding? Ask us anything.
Is Vowen an alternative to Superwhisper?
Yes. They sit in the same category. Both are local-first voice tools for power users, both run speech models on-device, and both can be bought without a subscription. The difference is what happens after transcription. Superwhisper rewrites the text with prompt-based Modes. Vowen adds voice shortcuts, voice-triggered system commands, and meeting notes whose AI summaries include speaker names.
Can Vowen do what Superwhisper Modes can do?
Yes, and more. Vowen Tones give the same per-app prompt customization (rewrite as email, format as a list, translate). On top of that, voice shortcuts open apps and sites, run scripts and fire webhooks, and Command Mode runs utilities like timers, conversions and PDF merges. Superwhisper users often reach for companions like Macrowhisper for this; Vowen ships it in the box.
If both are local-first and built for power users, what actually decides which one to pick?
A lot of it comes down to what you do most. Pick Superwhisper if you live in custom prompt Modes, want the broadest model menu on Mac, or need an iOS keyboard today. Pick Vowen if you want voice that triggers actions (not just rewrites text), meeting summaries that name the speakers, or the same app on Windows. Both keep audio local by default. The day-to-day difference is what is already built versus what you would assemble yourself.
I'm on Windows. Is Vowen a real option?
Yes. Vowen is built for macOS and Windows in parallel, with the same features on both. Superwhisper also ships a Windows build, but it is newer and widely reported as less mature than its Mac app. If Windows is your primary machine, Vowen is the safer choice today.
Try Vowen.
Free to install. No account needed. See if voice fits your workflow.