Comparison · Open-source dictation
TapWisper vs OpenWhispr
TapWisper and OpenWhispr are both MIT-licensed, open-source dictation apps with local Whisper models, your own API keys and bot-free meeting notes. OpenWhispr also ships Linux builds, a voice agent and an optional paid OpenWhispr Cloud. TapWisper is entirely free, with no paid tier, and builds in tone by app, voice triggers, snippets and 100 AI actions.
Side by side
How they compare.
Based on public information as of October 2026. Plans and features change — check OpenWhispr’s site for the latest.
| TapWisper | OpenWhispr | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (MIT open source); cloud models billed by your provider | Free for local use; optional paid OpenWhispr Cloud plans (Pro listed at about $8/month or $80/year — check their pricing page) |
| Open source | Yes — MIT licence | Yes — MIT licence |
| Platforms | macOS 12+, Windows 10+ (Linux from source) | Mac, Windows, Linux (iOS app reported) |
| Where AI runs | Your choice: cloud with your own key, local on-device, or self-hosted | On-device, your own key, or OpenWhispr Cloud |
| Works offline | Yes, with local models | Yes, with local models |
| Choose your models / own API key | OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Together AI, Soniox, 42 local models, any OpenAI-compatible server | Yes — local Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet; own keys for cloud providers; self-hosted endpoints |
| Dictate into any app | Yes — pastes at the cursor in any app | Yes |
| AI cleanup & tone | Yes — filler words, punctuation, tone by app | Yes — AI dictation cleanup with its own model |
| Edit selected text by voice | Yes — select text and speak an instruction | Voice agent called by name or hotkey; editing selected text not confirmed |
| Meeting notes | Yes — bot-free on Mac (macOS 13+) and Windows, live transcript, AI summary | Yes — captures computer audio, no bot |
| Account | No account | Not confirmed |
| Languages | 21 + auto-detect and mixed languages (99 with local Whisper) | 99+ (Whisper and Parakeet) |
Which one?
Pick the right tool for you.
Choose TapWisper if
- You want everything free, with no paid cloud tier to upsell.
- You want tone set per app — casual in chat, formal in email — out of the box.
- You'd use voice triggers, snippets, a custom dictionary and 100 ready-made AI actions.
- You want meeting extras like live translation and “What did I miss?” recaps.
Choose OpenWhispr if
- You want a prebuilt Linux download.
- You'd like a hosted cloud option that works without your own API key.
- You want a voice agent you can call by name.
FAQ
Good questions.
Are TapWisper and OpenWhispr both open source?
Yes. Both are MIT-licensed and on GitHub.
Is OpenWhispr free?
OpenWhispr is free for local use and offers optional paid plans for its cloud service. TapWisper has no paid tier at all; with cloud models you pay your provider directly.
Do both take meeting notes?
Yes. Both record meeting audio on your computer without a bot. TapWisper adds live translation, “What did I miss?” recaps and questions about the meeting with timestamps.
Download · v1.2.0
Start talking in a minute.
Free and open-source, no account. Setup walks you through permissions, your microphone and a speech engine — then you just talk.