Ottex
Mac, iOSBest when: You want one tool for system-wide dictation, meeting recording, and finished written outcomes like follow-up emails, Linear tickets, CRM updates, PRDs, and docs
FLUIDVOICE ALTERNATIVES BY REASON TO SWITCH.Every claim sourced · verified Jun 2026
Best FluidVoice alternatives for dictation, meetings, privacy, and platform coverage.
FluidVoice is a free, open-source macOS dictation app with local model options. The right alternative depends on what made you look around: meetings, Windows or Android, polished formatting, local control, or a simpler paid tool.
What's pushing you to look? Pick one — the page reorders around it.
What actually differs, claim by claim.
Each section opens with the takeaway. The table underneath is the receipt — every cell carries its source and the date we checked it.
Pricing
FluidVoice is free forever, so no paid alternative beats it on raw cost for macOS dictation. The interesting price winners are different: Spokenly has unlimited free local dictation and BYOK, Vowen sells a $49 one-time Pro license for dictation, transcription, and meetings, and QuickWhisper offers a $59 one-time Mac transcription workbench.
See the evidence — 26 claims across 6 toolsverified Jun 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex |  Spokenly |  VoiceInk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Forever free with local models and BYOK providers. | PartialSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Free forever, no paid tiers | PartialSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Unlimited use; no usage limits | NoNo free plan | PartialSource: docs.vowen.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Unlimited voice dictation; 10 audio/video transcriptions; 5 hours total meeting notes recording; 5 Command Mode calls per day; 1 custom tone; 1 text expansion; 1 custom API integration. | PartialSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 202625 meetings/month |
| Subscription | $14/moSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included. | NoNo subscription plan | $9.99/moSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026The pricing page shows annual billing at $99.99 per year and references Pro cloud features. | NoNo subscription plan | NoNo subscription plan | $18/moSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Business is $18 per member/month or $14 per member/month billed annually. |
| Pay-as-you-go / one-timeEscape the flat subscription | $0.2/hourSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Hosted models at cost: dictation ~$0.2/h, meetings ~$0.5/h (~$3/mo average). | NoSubscription only | NoSubscription only | $25 one-timeSource: tryvoiceink.com/buy — checked Jun 2026Lifetime of updates | $49 one-timeSource: vowen.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Lifetime updates | NoSubscription only |
| Bring your own keyPay the model provider, not the middleman | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026OpenRouter, Google AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, and compatible providers. | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Optional AI provider API keys can be added for enhanced transcription. | YesSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Users can connect their own API keys from OpenAI, Deepgram, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, and other providers. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Cloud and custom models may require adding the provider API key. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Cloud transcription and AI enhancement use user-provided provider keys. | No public claim |
| Education discount | NoSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Same pricing for everyone. | No public claim | YesSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Verified students get 50% off Pro after contacting support with an academic email. | PartialSource: tryvoiceink.com/faq — checked Jun 2026Student discount is available by contacting the vendor with student ID; no public percentage is listed. | No public claim | No public claim |
Platforms
FluidVoice is a native macOS app and requires macOS 15.0 Sequoia or later, with no Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, web, or browser extension support. Vowen is the strongest broader replacement for Mac and Windows, Wispr Flow stretches furthest across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, and Dictation Daddy also covers Mac, Windows, Android, and Chrome.
See the evidence — 9 claims across 6 toolsverified Jun 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac, iOSSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | MacSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026 | Mac, Windows, iOSSource: spokenly.app/download — checked Jun 2026 | Mac, iOSSource: tryvoiceink.com/faq — checked Jun 2026 | Mac, WindowsSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Some platforms in beta/waitlist | Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidSource: granola.ai/download — checked Jun 2026 |
| Native app footprintLight on memory, instant to invoke | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Native Swift app, ~50MB RAM. | YesSource: altic.dev/fluid — checked Jun 2026The vendor describes FluidVoice as a native macOS app. | No public claim | YesSource: github.com/Beingpax — checked Jun 2026The GitHub README describes VoiceInk as a native macOS application. | No public claim | No public claim |
Meetings & team memory
FluidVoice does not do meeting recording, mic-and-system capture, bot-free capture, calendar detection, or in-person meeting capture. Ottex is the best all-around upgrade when meetings need to become follow-ups, CRM updates, tickets, and docs, while Granola is the clean meeting-notes specialist with bot-free capture and team memory.
See the evidence — 33 claims across 6 toolsverified Jun 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting recordingThe call is captured at all | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026With speaker separation. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Vowen captures meetings from Zoom, Teams, Meet, Slack Huddles, or any app that produces sound. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola records and transcribes meetings without joining as a bot. |
| Bot-free captureNo "recording bot" joins your call | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026System-audio capture, no bot joins the call. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Silent meeting capture records without a bot or banner. | YesSource: granola.ai — checked Jun 2026Granola does not send a bot to meetings. |
| Speaker separation | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported for live meetings. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | PartialSource: vowen.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Speaker identification is a Pro feature. | No public claim |
| Calendar detection | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Calendar-based meeting detection. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | PartialSource: vowen.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Auto-detect meetings is a Pro feature. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola surfaces calendar events and can start notes from upcoming meetings. |
| Cross-meeting search | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026 | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Ask Granola can answer across past meetings. |
| Shared team memory | PartialSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Public share links, not a full team workspace. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: granola.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Business workspaces include shared notes and folders for teams. |
From meeting to finished work
FluidVoice has no meeting summaries, speaker identification, action items, decisions, transcript chat, note templates, or shared meeting memory. Ottex wins when the post-meeting output matters because it can turn the conversation into emails, tickets, CRM updates, PRDs, notes, and follow-ups.
See the evidence — 23 claims across 6 toolsverified Jun 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decisions, owners, action itemsLeave the meeting with next steps clear | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Decisions with owners extracted. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: vowen.ai — checked Jun 2026Chat with meetings can surface decisions. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola can extract decisions from meetings through templates and AI notes. |
| Follow-up email draftedThe outcome is sent, not summarized | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Drafted from templates or your own. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | YesSource: vowen.ai — checked Jun 2026Meeting chat can surface follow-ups. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Recipes can generate follow-up emails from meetings. |
| CRM update / ticket draft | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Structured for the target app. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | No public claim | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola lists Attio as an integration for sending meeting notes to CRM records. |
| Your rough notes steer the result | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Rough notes and instructions steer the result. | NoSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | NoSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Not supported. | PartialSource: docs.vowen.ai/pricing — checked Jun 2026Custom note instructions are Pro-only. | YesSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026User notes are used to guide the generated meeting notes. |
Dictation & transcription AI
FluidVoice is stronger than many free tools because it supports model choice, local speech models, BYOK, real-time transcription, history, and up to 99 languages through Whisper.
See the evidence — 21 claims across 6 toolsverified Jun 2026Show tableHide table
| Ottex | Spokenly | VoiceInk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engines | Cloud: Whisper, Gemini 3 Flash, Voxtral. Local: Whisper, Parakeet v3.Source: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Hosted routing, BYOK, or fully local. | Nemotron Speech 3.5, Parakeet Flash, Parakeet TDT v3, Parakeet TDT v2, Cohere Transcribe, Apple Speech, Whisper Tiny/Base/Small/Medium/LargeSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026The README lists these supported speech models. | Whisper, Parakeet, Apple Speech Analyzer, GPT-4o Transcribe, Deepgram Nova 3, Soniox, Groq, ElevenLabs, Mistral, Fireworks, CerebrasSource: spokenly.app/pricing — checked Jun 2026Published pages name local, BYOK, managed cloud, and third-party providers across pricing and privacy materials. | Local models, Groq, ElevenLabs, Deepgram, Parakeet, Gemini, Mistral, Soniox, custom OpenAI-compatible modelsSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026VoiceInk lists local, cloud, and custom transcription model options. | Local Whisper and Parakeet; cloud models from Groq, Deepgram, AssemblyAI, ElevenLabs, Mistral, Soniox, and moreSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026The docs say users can choose from 10+ engines. | No public claim |
| Local / on-device optionAudio never leaves the machine | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Whisper and Parakeet v3 run fully on-device. | PartialSource: altic.dev/fluid — checked Jun 2026Local speech models are supported, while Cohere and AI enhancement use optional cloud providers. | YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Local Only Mode keeps transcription on-device and blocks network access. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Local models run directly on the Mac without an internet connection. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Local Whisper and Parakeet run offline on the device. | NoSource: help.granola.ai/article — checked Jun 2026Granola states it requires an internet connection to transcribe and generate notes. |
| Model selection per task | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Choose the model per task and per provider. | YesSource: github.com/altic-dev — checked Jun 2026Users can choose among multiple supported speech models. | YesSource: spokenly.app/docs — checked Jun 2026Docs say users choose between fast and high-accuracy dictation models. | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/docs — checked Jun 2026Users can choose and set a default transcription model. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Users can pick and switch transcription engines. | No public claim |
| Languages & mixed speechWork that crosses languages mid-sentence | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026100+ languages · Mid-sentence language switching. | No public claim | No public claim | No public claim | No public claim | No public claim |
| Per-app output rules | YesSource: ottex.ai — checked Jun 2026Per-app output rules: exact in AI chats, polished in email. | No public claim | No public claim | YesSource: tryvoiceink.com/features — checked Jun 2026Power Mode can automatically apply app or website-specific transcription and enhancement settings. | YesSource: docs.vowen.ai/introduction — checked Jun 2026Per-app writing styles are listed in the docs. | NoSource: granola.ai — checked Jun 2026Not supported |
The short answerTry Ottex for free
OttexMac, iOS · Free tier · $14/mo · PAYG
Ottex is unusually broad for a young Mac/iOS-first tool: it turns dictation and meetings into emails, tickets, CRM updates, notes, and docs, but it is not the pick if you need Windows, Android, web, browser extension, or compliance paperwork.
Choose Ottex if
- You want one tool for system-wide dictation, meeting recording, and finished written outcomes like follow-up emails, Linear tickets, CRM updates, PRDs, and docs
- You want a real free path: unlimited local dictation, file transcription, and meetings on Mac with Whisper/Parakeet, or BYOK instead of a forced subscription
- You need multilingual dictation with 100+ languages, auto-detection, mixed-language speech, personal vocabulary, and per-app output rules
Look elsewhere if
- You need Windows, Android, Linux, web access, or a browser extension
- You need mature team infrastructure such as a shared workspace, API/webhooks, third-party note destinations, or assistant chat over transcripts today.
What a year actually costs at your volume.
Personal or team — switch tabs. Subscriptions are flat; usage-based pricing depends on how much you speak and meet.
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Fill the gaps with:
OttexOttex Provider — PAYG$135/yrHosted models at cost: dictation ~$0.2/h, meetings ~$0.5/h (~$3/mo average).OttexSubscription - Pro$168/yr$14/mo — unlimited dictation and meeting intelligence, all hosted models included.
Aqua VoicePro Annual+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$264/yr$96 + $168FAQ says Pro is $8/month billed annually after the free words. · Unlimited useSpokenlyPro+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$268/yr$100 + $168The pricing page shows annual billing at $99.99 per year and references Pro cloud features. · High-accuracy cloud models; AI text processing; works out of the box; priority supportAqua VoicePro Monthly+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$288/yr$120 + $168A vendor comparison page lists Pro at $10/month. · Unlimited use
Wispr FlowFlow Pro+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$312/yr$144 + $168Annual price is published as $12/user/mo billed annually. · Unlimited words per week on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and AndroidWispr FlowFlow Pro+ Granola for meetings — $168/yr$348/yr$180 + $168Monthly price is published as $15/user/mo. · Unlimited words per week on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and AndroidEstimates, not quotes. Striped bar segments are the cost of the second app you picked above to cover the gap — rankings use that combined total. PAYG uses hosted at-cost estimates ($0.2/h dictation, $0.5/h meetings); BYOK is estimated at about a third of that because you pay the model provider directly. Bring-your-own-key plans still pay the model provider per use. One-time licenses are amortized over 2 years. Subscriptions use published pricing, checked Jun 2026.
All nine tools, one line each.
The honest one-liner we'd give a friend for each. Select 2–4 and compare them side by side.
Free tier · $14/mo · PAYG
FluidVoice
MacBest when: You want a free, GPLv3 macOS dictation app with no paid tiers.
Spokenly
Mac, Windows, iOSBest when: You want system-wide push-to-talk dictation on macOS, iOS, or Windows, with text inserted directly into the active app.
VoiceInk
Mac, iOSBest when: You want native macOS dictation on Apple Silicon with local models that can run offline.
Vowen
Mac, WindowsBest when: You want offline-capable dictation and transcription on Mac or Windows with local Whisper/Parakeet plus optional cloud engines.
Granola
Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidBest when: You want bot-free meeting capture that records from your mic and computer audio without joining calls.
QuickWhisper
MacBest when: You want local-first dictation, file transcription, and bot-free meeting recording on macOS 14.6+ with Apple Silicon.
Wispr Flow
Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidBest when: You want system-wide voice dictation across Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android.
Aqua Voice
Mac, Windows, iOSBest when: You want fast, system-wide voice dictation across Mac, Windows, or iOS for everyday writing.
Pick 2–4 tools, then compare.
Move from FluidVoice in about 10 minutes.
Nothing breaks: both apps can run side by side while you decide.
- 1
Download Ottex and dictate right away2 min
Free out of the box: local models or the included starter credits, no card. Press the hotkey and speak — the default experience is deliberately close to FluidVoice. Keep FluidVoice installed; they coexist fine.
- 2
Move your hotkey — or run both1 min
Set Ottex to the key you already press by muscle memory, or give it its own shortcut while you compare output side by side.
- 3
Bring your dictionary3 min
If FluidVoice keeps a custom dictionary or replacement rules, copy those words into Ottex's personal dictionary and glossaries — names and jargon survive the move.
- 4
Pick where AI runs2 min
Defaults just work on starter credits. When you care, switch per task: local Whisper or Parakeet v3 for on-device privacy, your own key for control, or hosted routing at cost.
- 5
Add per-app rules and meetings when ready5 min
Set exact text for AI chats, polished email, structured tickets. Then record one low-stakes call and check the follow-up, CRM update, and ticket drafts.
Questions people actually ask.
What is FluidVoice?
FluidVoice is a free, open-source native macOS dictation app for system-wide voice input with a global hotkey. It fits people who want local model options, BYOK enhancement, and voice insertion into text fields, not meeting notes or team workflows.
Is FluidVoice free?
Yes. FluidVoice is published as free forever with no paid tiers. That makes it different from word-capped free plans like Willow Voice's 2,000 words per week, which is only about 15 minutes of dictation.
How much does FluidVoice cost?
FluidVoice costs $0 because it has one free plan. Cheaper-than-subscription alternatives only make sense if they add something you need: VoiceInk starts at $25 one-time, Vowen is $49 one-time, QuickWhisper is $59 one-time, and Ottex offers free local or BYOK paths plus PAYG at $0.20/hour.
Does FluidVoice work on Windows or Android?
No. FluidVoice is macOS-only and requires macOS 15.0 Sequoia or later. For Windows, look at Vowen, Spokenly, Aqua Voice, Dictation Daddy, Wispr Flow, or Willow Voice; for Android, look at Wispr Flow or Dictation Daddy.
Does FluidVoice work offline?
Partly. FluidVoice supports local speech models, but optional AI enhancement can use cloud providers such as OpenAI, Groq, or custom providers. Spokenly, VoiceInk, MacWhisper, QuickWhisper, and Vowen are stronger choices if local or offline control is the main reason you are switching.
Is FluidVoice private or safe?
FluidVoice gives you local model options and BYOK, and anonymous analytics can be disabled. It does not publish GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, zero-data-retention, encryption-at-rest, or SSO claims. For stricter local control, Spokenly, VoiceInk, MacWhisper, QuickWhisper, or Vowen are better fits depending on platform and workflow.