Alternatives / Willow
Looking for an open source Willow alternative? We compared 5 open source dictation apps by license, platforms, local transcription, and maintenance. VoiceInk, FluidVoice, and VoiceTypr focus on Mac, while Handy and Amical are more cross-platform.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| VoiceInk | Mac dictation with per-app modes | GPL-3.0 (paid builds) |
| Handy | Minimal cross-platform dictation | MIT |
| FluidVoice | Free Mac dictation with local polish model | GPL-3.0 |
| Amical | Context-aware dictation with meeting notes | MIT |
| VoiceTypr | On-device dictation for Mac and Windows | AGPL-3.0 (lifetime license for builds) |
We looked for open-source tools that turn speech into text in any app like Willow. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and platforms in its repository. We left out OpenWispr and Jarvis because we could not verify their repositories. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Handy is a minimal desktop tool for macOS, Windows, and Linux that types transcribed speech into any text field, fully local with no account. Amical is an AI dictation app with context-aware formatting, local or cloud processing, and meeting notes.
VoiceInk is a macOS dictation app with on-device transcription, per-app modes, and a one-time purchase, and it needs Apple Silicon. FluidVoice is a free macOS app with local transcription and an optional on-device polish model of about 3.5 GB. VoiceTypr runs on macOS and Windows with on-device models and a one-time purchase.
VoiceInk and VoiceTypr sell licenses even though their code is open. FluidVoice requires macOS 15 or later. Handy has a deliberately minimal feature set.
Handy and Amical are MIT. VoiceInk and FluidVoice are GPL-3.0. VoiceTypr is AGPL-3.0.
All five had commits within weeks of this update.
Willow is a proprietary dictation service where audio and text may be processed in the cloud, with usage tiers. Open-source tools transcribe on your device, so audio never leaves the machine, though cleanup quality depends on the local model.
Handy is an MIT-licensed desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux that types your speech into any text field, with transcription processed locally. It has a deliberately minimal feature set with few settings and can be installed with Homebrew or winget.
Pricing: Free and open source.
FluidVoice is a free, GPL-3.0 macOS dictation app with on-device speech recognition and an AI polish layer. Its advanced enhancement uses a separate, privately maintained local AI runtime, and post-processing can optionally route to OpenAI, Groq, or a custom provider. iOS and Windows versions are planned.
Pricing: Free and open source; optional providers are billed separately.
VoiceInk is a macOS dictation app that transcribes your speech locally into any text field, with optional AI cleanup and per-app settings. The source code is GPL-3.0, but the polished builds are sold with a free trial and a paid license, and building it yourself is possible. It needs Apple Silicon and a recent macOS.
Pricing: Free to build from source; the prebuilt app is a paid license with a free trial.
Amical is an AI dictation app that turns speech into context-aware formatted text in 50+ languages, with custom vocabulary learning and voice shortcuts. It supports local and cloud processing and works for notes, meetings, and hands-free typing.
Pricing: Free and open source.
VoiceTypr is an AGPL-3.0, offline-first dictation app for macOS and Windows that uses Whisper models and Apple Silicon-optimized Parakeet models on macOS. After a trial, a lifetime license keeps local models unmetered with no subscription, and optional cloud modes use your selected provider's billing.
Pricing: Free trial, then a lifetime license; building from source is possible.
| Alternative | Type | License | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VoiceInk | Dictation app | GPL-3.0 | macOS | Mac users |
| Handy | Dictation app | MIT | macOS, Windows, Linux | Simple local dictation |
| FluidVoice | Dictation app | GPL-3.0 | macOS 15+ | Free Mac use |
| Amical | Dictation app | MIT | Desktop | Formatting and notes |
| VoiceTypr | Dictation app | AGPL-3.0 | macOS, Windows | One-time purchase |
Want fully local dictation on any OS
Handy is MIT, local, and works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Want the most polished Mac app
VoiceInk switches modes per app and transcribes on-device on Apple Silicon.
Want formatting and meeting notes
Amical formats text by context and supports custom vocabulary.