Mac dictation · Head to head
THOHT vs Wispr Flow
Both turn speech into text on your Mac, but they sit at opposite ends of the spectrum: THOHT keeps core transcription on-device, while Wispr Flow sends your audio to the cloud for AI text formatting.
By the THOHT team · Facts checked
The short answer
Pick THOHT if you want private, offline dictation on Apple silicon Mac, a free local tier with no weekly word cap, and a low-cost Pro plan. Pick Wispr Flow if cloud-grade AI formatting and using the same app on Windows, iOS and Android matter more than offline privacy.
Side by side
| Feature | THOHT | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Price (personal) | Free + $4.99/mo Pro | Free + $15/mo Pro |
| Processing | On-device / cloud by platform | Cloud |
| Free tier | Unlimited local (Apple silicon Mac) | 2,000 desktop + 1,000 mobile words/week (soft limits) |
| Platforms | macOS + iOS + iPadOS | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| iOS app | Yes, iPhone + iPad (Universal Purchase) | Yes |
| Licence | Free + subscription | Subscription |
| Open source | No | No |
| Apple Silicon | Native | App runs natively |
Where each one wins
Where THOHT wins
- On Apple silicon Macs, core transcription can run on-device and offline.
- Cheaper: $4.99/mo Pro vs Wispr Flow's $15/mo ($12/mo billed annually).
- Free tier has no weekly word cap; Wispr Flow has weekly free-tier soft limits of 2,000 desktop and 1,000 mobile words, with higher hard caps.
- Native Apple silicon app with Apple hardware acceleration.
- Native iPhone and iPad app too — one Universal Purchase covers all three supported platforms.
Where Wispr Flow wins
- Cloud AI formatting is its whole focus — tone commands, auto-edits and automatic text formatting.
- Wider platform reach: also runs on Windows and Android, not just Apple devices.
- No local model to manage; nothing depends on your device's horsepower.
Our verdict
If privacy, offline use and price lead your list, THOHT is the better fit. If you live across Windows, Mac and phones and want automatic AI text formatting, Wispr Flow earns its higher price.
About Wispr Flow
Wispr Flow provides cloud transcription and AI text formatting on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. It needs a connection. Its free desktop and mobile allowances are separate; the mobile allowance is shared across iOS and Android.
- Pricing details:
- $144/year ($12/month equivalent) when billed annually; eligible student plan available. Free weekly soft limits are 2,000 desktop and 1,000 shared mobile words; standard hard caps are 5,000 desktop and 1,500 mobile words. Bonuses can change the limits.
- Processing details:
- Audio is sent to Wispr's servers for transcription and AI formatting; not usable offline.
Primary sources · checked October 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is Wispr Flow offline?+
Which is cheaper, THOHT or Wispr Flow?+
Does THOHT have an iPhone app like Wispr Flow?+
Try THOHT on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Local dictation on Apple silicon Mac is free with no usage caps. Pro is $4.99/month (US) after a 7-day free trial — one Universal Purchase covers Mac, iPhone and iPad.