JustVoice vs Spokenly
JustVoice vs Spokenly, local dictation for Mac power users
Spokenly is a local-first dictation app for Mac, Windows, and iPhone with an MCP server for AI agents. JustVoice focuses on Mac with GPU-accelerated Whisper, code mode, and app profiles, for $35 once.
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TL;DR
The verdict
JustVoice is the better pick over Spokenly for Mac-centric users who want deep code dictation, app profiles, and tuned Apple Silicon performance for $35 once, less than four months of Spokenly Pro. Both are local-first. The honest caveat: Spokenly wins if you need one tool across Mac, Windows, and iPhone, or a built-in MCP server for AI agents.
At a glance
Side-by-side summary
JustVoice
Local Whisper on macOS. $35 once — lifetime license, no subscription. Code mode, app profiles, custom vocabulary.
Spokenly
Local-first dictation with local Whisper/Parakeet models and an MCP server. Free tier; Pro $9.99/mo. macOS, Windows, iOS.
Pricing verified May 24, 2026 from the official source.
Spokenly is a local-first dictation app spanning Mac, Windows, and iPhone, with a free tier built on local Whisper and Parakeet models and an MCP server that plugs into AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor. JustVoice goes deep on the Mac, GPU-accelerated local Whisper, code dictation with IDE detection, per-app profiles, and snippets, for a $35 one-time lifetime licence.
Why switch
Is JustVoice a good Spokenly alternative?
Yes, for most Mac users switching from Spokenly, JustVoice covers the same core voice-to-text job and adds fully local Whisper processing (your voice never touches the cloud), custom vocabulary, voice-activated snippets, and code dictation with IDE detection — all included in one $35 lifetime license. Fit depends on your platform needs and the trade-offs below.
- GPU-accelerated local Whisper tuned for Apple Silicon Metal
- $35 once vs Spokenly $9.99/mo Pro, pays for itself in under four months
- Code dictation mode with IDE detection (VSCode, Cursor, Xcode, JetBrains)
- App profiles, per-app behaviour and hotkeys
- Voice-activated snippets with variable substitution
- No cloud path at all, voice and transcripts never leave your Mac
When to stay
When should I pick Spokenly over JustVoice?
An honest comparison means flagging where Spokenly still wins outright. If any of these are deal-breakers for you, stay on Spokenly.
- Cross-platform: Mac, Windows, and iPhone
- Built-in MCP server for AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor)
- Choice of local Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet models
Bottom line: Choose JustVoice if you want the deepest Mac dictation experience, code mode, app profiles, GPU-tuned Whisper, for a $35 one-time licence. Choose Spokenly if you need cross-platform coverage or a built-in MCP server for AI agents.
Features
JustVoice vs Spokenly, feature-by-feature
| Feature | JustVoice | Spokenly |
|---|---|---|
| Local processing | ||
| Free tierJustVoice is a $35 one-time lifetime licence | ||
| Starting paid price$35 once vs $9.99/mo | ||
| Code dictation mode | ||
| IDE detection | ||
| MCP server for AI agents | ||
| App profiles | ||
| Windows / iOS support | ||
| Custom vocabulary |
Bottom line
The takeaway
JustVoice is the deeper Mac dictation tool at a $35 one-time price; Spokenly wins on cross-platform reach and its MCP server for AI agents.
FAQ
Common questions
- Yes. JustVoice covers the same core voice-to-text job, system-wide dictation on macOS, and adds GPU-accelerated local Whisper transcription, custom vocabulary, and voice-activated snippets, all for a $35 one-time lifetime licence. Most users switching from Spokenly cite price, privacy, or features as the deciding factor.
- Absolutely. JustVoice is a $35 one-time purchase with no subscription, less than three months of a typical cloud dictation plan, so there's little risk in installing it alongside Spokenly and trying both for a week. Most users settle on one, but they can coexist on the same Mac without conflict.
- Five minutes. Download JustVoice from justvoice.ai/download, activate your $35 lifetime licence, grant microphone and accessibility permissions, set a hotkey, and you're dictating into any app immediately. Custom vocabulary and snippets carry no migration overhead, they're entered as you go.
- Not currently. Spokenly ships a built-in MCP server so AI coding agents can request dictation directly. JustVoice focuses on system-wide dictation and code mode with IDE detection that types into your editor. If an MCP server is essential to your agent workflow, Spokenly has the edge today.
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Ready to switch from Spokenly?
JustVoice is $35 once — a lifetime license, no subscription. Your voice never leaves your Mac.