A free Wispr Flow alternative that runs on your Mac.
By petersindex, who makes Inkbie · Updated 4 October 2026
Want voice typing on a Mac without a subscription, or without sending your voice to the cloud? Inkbie is free for good and does it all on your Mac. If you need Windows, a phone or more than 25 languages, Wispr Flow covers more.
Inkbie and Wispr Flow compared
| Feature | Inkbie | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Price | PriceFree for good. No trial, no card, no word limit. | A free plan (2,000 words a week); unlimited dictation is Pro, $15 a month, or $12 a month billed yearly |
| Where your voice becomes text | Where your voice becomes textOn your Mac, always | In the cloud: “Transcription always happens in the cloud” |
| Works offline | Works offlineYes, after one download of about 600 MB | No: it transcribes in the cloud, so it needs a connection |
| Platforms | PlatformsMac (Apple silicon and Intel Macs, macOS 14 or later) | Mac, Windows, iOS and Android |
| Languages | Languages25 European languages, English included | 100+ languages |
| Your own words | Your own wordsA word list, spelled your way | A dictionary and snippets |
| Meeting notes | Meeting notesNo | Yes, its Notetaker |
Wispr Flow details from its own pricing and privacy pages, prices checked 5 October 2026, other details 4 October 2026. Prices in US dollars.
Where Inkbie fits
It's free, with no word limit and nothing to sign up for. What you say becomes text on your Mac and the recording is thrown away, so it works on a plane. Hold fn, talk, let go, and your words land wherever you're typing. Teach it your names and jargon, say “new line” to start one, and paste your last take with ⌥⌘V.
When Wispr Flow is the better pick
You type by voice on Windows or your phone too, you need a language outside Europe, or you want meeting notes. Wispr Flow does all of that and Inkbie doesn't. If you only use a Mac and want it private, free and offline, that's where Inkbie fits.
Switching takes a minute
- 1Download InkbieFree, no account. The voice model downloads once, about 600 MB.
- 2Allow two thingsThe microphone, to hear you, and Accessibility (Device Control and Data Access on macOS 27), to notice your key and type where your cursor is.
- 3Hold fn and talkLet go and it's typed. Double-tap for hands-free. Using fn for Wispr Flow too? Pick Right ⌥ or Right ⌘ in Settings.
Questions
- Is Inkbie really free?
- Yes. Voice typing is free for good: no trial, no account, no card and no word limit. Inkbie earns its money from circles (voice messages to friends' Macs, $24 once) and optional looks.
- Does Inkbie work offline?
- Yes. After the first download, the voice model runs on your Mac and needs no connection. On a plane, in a basement, Wi-Fi off.
- Is Inkbie on Windows or iPhone?
- Not yet. Inkbie is Mac only for now: Apple silicon or Intel, macOS 14 or later. If you need voice typing on Windows or your phone, Wispr Flow covers those.
- Is my voice sent anywhere?
- Not when you type by voice. What you say becomes text on your Mac and the recording is thrown away, with no account and no analytics. A drop to a friend is the one exception: it goes to the person you name, through Inkbie's server, and circles use Sign in with Apple.
- Can I use both?
- Yes. They don't need to fight: give each a different key, and use Inkbie when you want it private or offline.