Superwhisper
Three paths to pick from
Free tierPro subscriptionLifetime purchase
Two on-device dictation apps. Only one runs on Linux.
Superwhisper and Wspr are cousins, not opposites: both run Whisper on-device, both support file transcription, both let you bring your own AI key. The real differences are platform coverage and how you pay.
Free to start
No card, no account
Pro is $14.99, once
The 60-second summary
Wspr vs Superwhisper, side by side.
Superwhisper is a genuinely good product and one of the better Mac-first dictation apps out there. It runs Whisper locally, supports file transcription, has a polished UI, and lets you connect multiple AI providers.
This page isn't trying to tell you it's bad. It's trying to be honest about where Wspr is a better fit and where Superwhisper might be.
| Feature | Wspr | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $14.99 one-time | Free tier, subscription, or Lifetime |
| Transcription | On-device (whisper.cpp + GPU) | On-device (offline-capable) |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | No |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| File transcription (audio/video) | Yes | Yes |
| Meeting recording / transcription | No | Yes |
| AI rewriting providers | OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini | OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Llama, Grok, etc. |
| Bring your own API key | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | 99 | 100+ |
| Free tier | 50 live transcriptions, no account | 15-min Pro trial + permanent free tier |
Sources: superwhisper.com, getwspr.com. Checked April 2026.
Price
One-time vs subscription, with a Lifetime option.
This is the clearest Wspr advantage, and it's worth being precise about. Superwhisper offers three paid paths: a free tier (with limited features and a 15-minute Pro trial), a recurring Pro subscription, and a one-time Lifetime purchase. The specific numbers are set on their pricing page and change over time, so check superwhisper.com for the current rate.
Wspr is a single $14.99 one-time purchase. That's it. No tiers, no renewals, no lifetime-vs-subscription decision to make at checkout.
If you're someone who specifically wants to pay once and be done, without comparison-shopping multiple tiers, Wspr is the simpler answer. If you want Superwhisper's deeper AI provider menu or meeting-recording features, their Lifetime tier is the one to look at.
Wspr
$14.99USD, one time
No tiers, no renewals, no decision at checkout.
Platform coverage
Who runs where, plainly.
Superwhisper runs on macOS, Windows, and iOS, which is broader mobile coverage than Wspr. Wspr runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. The key asymmetry:
Linux: Wspr only
Superwhisper has no Linux build.
iOS: Superwhisper only
Wspr is desktop-only.
So which matters more depends on where you actually do your dictation. If you're on Linux, or your setup is a Mac and a Linux workstation, or Linux and Windows, Wspr is your only option of the two. If you want dictation on your iPhone, Superwhisper covers that and Wspr doesn't.
On-device transcription
Effectively tied, and your voice stayed home.
Both apps run transcription locally. Superwhisper's site explicitly says "Superwhisper works offline, so you can transcribe anytime. No Wi-Fi, no problem." Wspr does the same via whisper.cpp with GPU acceleration. On the core privacy claim, your audio stays on your device, they're peers.
File transcription, too, is supported by both apps. That's a correction from an earlier version of this page: Superwhisper's Pro tier explicitly includes audio/video file transcription.
AI rewriting
Both support multiple providers.
Earlier versions of this page claimed Superwhisper supported only OpenAI. That was wrong. Superwhisper actually supports multiple providers (their site currently lists GPT-5, Claude, Llama, Grok, Gemini, Ministral, and others) and lets you bring your own API key, with unlimited cloud/local AI models on their Pro tier.
Wspr supports OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini via bring-your-own-key. Functionally, both apps cover the big three providers most users want. Superwhisper currently lists a broader range of optional providers; Wspr focuses on the three that cover the vast majority of use cases.
Wspr, with your own key
OpenAIAnthropicGoogle Gemini
Superwhisper, as listed on its site
GPT-5ClaudeLlamaGrokGeminiMinistraland others
An honest split
Where each one has the edge.
Being honest about the features where Superwhisper leads, and where Wspr does.
Where Superwhisper has an edge
- iOS app. If you want dictation on your phone, they have it and Wspr doesn't.
- Meeting recording and transcription is a first-class feature in Superwhisper. Wspr's file transcription covers recorded files, but doesn't have a dedicated meeting-capture flow.
- Broader AI provider menu for users who specifically want Llama, Grok, Ministral, or other less common models.
- More mature product with a longer track record and larger user base.
Where Wspr has an edge
- Linux support. The only native Linux build of the two.
- Flat $14.99 one-time pricing. No tier comparison, no annual vs monthly decision.
- whisper.cpp with GPU acceleration across all platforms, so your CPU doesn't carry the whole transcription workload.
Pricing
One price. Once.
Wspr and Superwhisper are both solid on-device dictation apps. If you're on Linux, or you specifically want a single $14.99 one-time purchase with no tier decision, Wspr is the better fit. If you need dictation on iOS or want meeting-recording as a built-in feature, Superwhisper is the better fit.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Does Superwhisper run on-device like Wspr?
Yes. Both apps run transcription locally. Superwhisper's site says it works offline, and Wspr does the same via whisper.cpp with GPU acceleration. On the core privacy claim, that your audio stays on your device, they're peers.
Does Superwhisper run on Linux?
No. Superwhisper has no Linux build. Wspr runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, so if you're on Linux, or your setup is a Mac and a Linux workstation, or Linux and Windows, Wspr is your only option of the two.
How does Wspr's price compare with Superwhisper's?
Wspr is a single $14.99 one-time purchase, with no tiers and no renewals. Superwhisper offers a free tier, a recurring Pro subscription, and a one-time Lifetime purchase. The specific numbers are set on their pricing page and change over time.
Does Wspr have an iOS app or meeting recording?
No to both. Wspr is desktop only, and its file transcription covers recorded files but doesn't have a dedicated meeting-capture flow. Superwhisper has an iOS app and treats meeting recording and transcription as a first-class feature.
Do both apps support file transcription and bring your own key?
Yes on both counts. Both transcribe audio and video files, and both let you bring your own API key for AI rewriting. Wspr supports OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini; Superwhisper currently lists a broader range of optional providers.
Which should I choose, Wspr or Superwhisper?
If you're on Linux, or you specifically want a single $14.99 one-time purchase with no tier decision, Wspr is the better fit. If you need dictation on iOS or want meeting recording as a built-in feature, Superwhisper is the better fit. On the core experience of Whisper running locally on your computer, they're genuinely close.
Try Wspr on your own machine.
Free to start on macOS, Windows and Linux. No card, no account.