Key differences
Willow and Superwhisper cover similar ground: smart formatting, 100+ languages, and Mac, Windows, and iOS apps. The differences are the free tier, price, offline coverage, and Android.
| Superwhisper | Willow Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | macOS, Windows, iOS (Android listed as coming soon) |
| Offline mode | On-device models on macOS, Windows, and iPhone; Android is cloud only | Offline mode on Mac and iOS, only on the paid plan; Windows uses the cloud |
| Privacy | On-device or cloud, your choice | Zero data retention; Willow states SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA |
| Languages | 100+ | 100+ |
| Custom modes | Fully customizable | Style matching per app, shortcuts, Willow Scribe |
| File transcription | Yes, on Pro (macOS and Windows) | Not confirmed |
| BYO API keys | Yes, on Pro (not on Android) | Not confirmed |
| Pricing | Free, Pro $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr, or $249.99 lifetime | Individual Pro $15/mo, about 20% less billed yearly |
| Free tier | Doesn't expire, unlimited local Whisper models | 2,000 words per week, 5 minutes per recording |
Key differences
Offline support
Willow has an offline mode on Mac and iOS, only on the paid plan, and its own blog says Windows runs on cloud processing. Superwhisper's on-device models run on macOS, Windows, and iPhone, and the local Whisper models are free.
If you dictate offline on a Windows laptop, that matters.
Free tier
Willow's free plan is 2,000 words per week with a 5-minute limit per recording. Superwhisper's free tier doesn't expire and includes unlimited local Whisper models.
Two thousand words a week is a few short emails. It works as a trial more than a daily tool.
Pricing
Willow Individual Pro is $15 a month, with a 20% discount for yearly billing. Superwhisper Pro is $8.49 a month or $84.99 a year, and there is a $249.99 lifetime license.
Willow has no lifetime option that we found. Against Willow's yearly plan, a lifetime Superwhisper license pays for itself in under two years.
Platforms
Both run on Mac, Windows, and iOS. Willow lists Android as coming soon; Superwhisper has an Android app today.
Modes and file transcription
Willow adapts tone to the app you are in and keeps an auto-learning dictionary. Superwhisper's modes are fully custom, so you write the instructions and choose the model for each one. Superwhisper also transcribes audio and video files on macOS and Windows (Pro).
Developer experience
On desktop, Superwhisper works system-wide, so it works in any IDE or terminal.
Cursor, 
VS Code, 
Claude Code, Windsurf, Xcode, anywhere your cursor lands.Where Willow does well
Willow is a strong Windows option, and its compliance setup is documented in its help center, including a BAA for HIPAA workflows. If you want a fast cloud-first app on Mac and Windows and don't need Android or offline dictation on Windows, it is a good choice.
What people say
Guillermo Rauch
Superwhisper delivers on the dream of an AI-native operating system. The best part: it's insanely fast and does just what you expect.
Pieter Levels
Tried @superwhisperapp today. Very nice. Lets me talk to Cursor and then it codes for me, just gets it right.
Corrections
A few comparison sites describe Superwhisper inaccurately. Here's what's actually true:
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