Alternatives · Note-Taking
Cleft alternatives
Cleft compared with 5 alternatives: AudioPen, Whisper Memos, Talknotes, Voicenotes and Letterly.
Cleft has a free plan. Paid plans start at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly). 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| CleftThis tool | Free plan · from $39.99/yr | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| AudioPen | Free plan · from $33/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Whisper Memos | Free trial · from $5.83/mo | Trial only | iOS |
| Talknotes | Free trial · from $197/yr | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Voicenotes | Free plan · from $9/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Letterly | Free trial · from $19.99/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Cleft
- Free plan · from $33/mo
AudioPen
Voice notes rewritten into clear text in a chosen style
- AudioPen starts at $33 for 3 months of Prime, charged once ($11 a month). Cleft starts at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly).
- Only AudioPen lists a web app.
- Only AudioPen lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only AudioPen lists a browser extension.
- AudioPen also covers dictation.
Suits: Writers and creators who draft by talking
- Free trial · from $5.83/mo
Whisper Memos
Voice memos transcribed and emailed from iPhone or Apple Watch
- Whisper Memos starts at $5.83 per month, billed annually ($69.99 per year). Cleft starts at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly).
- Cleft has a free plan. Whisper Memos does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cleft lists a macOS app.
- Whisper Memos also covers meeting notes.
- Cleft also covers Markdown.
Suits: Capturing ideas on a walk or in the car from an Apple Watch
- Free trial · from $197/yr
Talknotes
AI voice notes that turn recordings into formatted text
- Talknotes starts at $197 per year (shown as $16 / month, billed annually). Cleft starts at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly).
- Cleft has a free plan. Talknotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Talknotes lists a web app.
- Only Talknotes lists an Android app.
- Only Cleft lists a macOS app.
Suits: Drafting emails, posts and articles by talking
- Free plan · from $9/mo
Voicenotes
Bot-free AI notetaker for meetings, memos and dictation
- Voicenotes starts at $9 per user / month; billing basis not stated. Cleft starts at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly).
- Only Voicenotes lists a web app.
- Only Voicenotes lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Voicenotes lists a browser extension.
- Voicenotes also covers meeting notes, dictation and chat assistant.
Suits: People who want one app for meetings, voice memos and dictation
- Free trial · from $19.99/mo
Letterly
Voice notes and dictation that rewrite speech into finished text
- Letterly starts at $19.99 per month, or from $69.99 per year, as listed on the US App Store. Cleft starts at $39.99 per year (or $6.99 billed monthly).
- Cleft has a free plan. Letterly does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Letterly lists a web app.
- Only Letterly lists Windows and Android apps.
- Letterly also covers meeting notes, dictation and text expansion.
Suits: One voice-notes app across phone, desktop and web
Limits worth knowing in Cleft
- Apple only: the apps are for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and CarPlay, with no Android, Windows or web version listed.
- Basic recordings stop at 5 minutes; 30-minute recordings need Cleft Plus.
- Notion and Zapier integrations, attachments, custom styles, appending and password-protected links are Plus only.
- Sign-in is required. Recording and transcription work offline, but the note is finished once the device is back online.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Cleft?
The alternatives to Cleft in this directory are AudioPen, Whisper Memos, Talknotes, Voicenotes and Letterly. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Cleft.
Is there a free alternative to Cleft?
Yes. AudioPen and Voicenotes have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Cleft alternatives work on Windows?
The Cleft listing does not include a Windows app. AudioPen, Voicenotes and Letterly list one.
Which Cleft alternatives work on Android?
The Cleft listing does not include an Android app. AudioPen, Talknotes, Voicenotes and Letterly list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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