Superwhisper vs Talon

Superwhisper

• People who want dictation that runs on-device and offline
• Buyers who prefer a one-time license to a subscription
• Users who want to choose their own voice and language models

Talon

• People with limited or no use of their hands
• Programmers who want to write code by voice
• Users willing to customize commands with scripts

Superwhisper

• AI-powered modes, cloud voice models, file transcription and speaker separation all need Pro.
• The Free plan is limited to 2 modes, and those run without AI processing.
• Cloud voice models send audio to hosted servers; only the local models keep audio on the device.
• A Linux version is listed as coming soon and is not yet available.

Talon

• Talon recognizes no commands until scripts are added; the suggested start is cloning the talonhub/community repository.
• Eye-tracking mouse control needs a separate Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or equivalent eye tracker.
• On Linux it requires an X11 session, and Wayland support is not planned.
• The app is closed-source freeware, and earlier access to new features is tied to the $25-a-month Talon+ tier on Patreon.

Superwhisper

Dictation in any app

Speak and have the text typed into whatever app is in front of you, such as Slack, Gmail, Notion or a code editor. More than 100 languages and dialects are supported.

Local models that work offline

Whisper models run entirely on your device and are free to use without limits, so dictation works with no connection and audio is not uploaded.

Cloud voice models on Pro

Pro adds hosted voice models such as S1-Voice, Nova and Scribe, along with real-time transcription. With these models audio is sent to hosted servers.

Modes

A mode sets how speech is processed, from plain transcription to AI modes that rewrite it for a context such as email. Free allows 2 modes without AI; Pro is unlimited.

Meetings and file transcription

Records meetings and produces notes, and Pro adds system audio recording, speaker separation and transcription of audio or video files.

Custom vocabulary

Add names and terms the models tend to get wrong, plus text replacements. Both are included on the Free plan.

Talon

Voice commands and dictation

Control apps, edit text and dictate by voice. Commands come from user scripts, and the talonhub/community repository supplies a ready-made command set.

Eye-tracking mouse control

Several algorithms move the pointer by gaze. This depends on a Tobii 4C, Tobii 5 or equivalent eye tracker.

Noise input

A noise recognition system reacts to mouth sounds: by default a pop clicks and a hiss scrolls.

Custom commands in .talon files

Short text files map a spoken phrase to typed text or key presses, such as saying "select all" to send Cmd-A.

Python scripting

Behavior can be extended in Python 3 through an embedded interpreter, so no separate Python installation is needed.

Built-in or Dragon speech engine

Talon comes with a free speech recognition engine, installed from its Speech Recognition menu, and also works with Dragon without extra setup.

Superwhisper

• Free$0

  Unlimited dictation with local Whisper models, custom vocabulary, text replacements and up to 2 modes.

• Pro$8.49

  per month, or $84.99 per year

  Cloud voice models, AI-powered modes, unlimited modes, file transcription, system audio recording and speaker separation.

• Pro Lifetime$249.99

  one-time payment

  The same Pro features as the subscription, paid once. One license covers Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Seat-based licensing with SSO and centralized deployment for teams.

Talon

• Talon$0

  The public release for macOS, Windows and Linux with voice commands, dictation, eye tracking, noise input and Python scripting.

• VIP Slack Channel$5

  per month on Patreon, or $51 per year

  A supporter tier that adds access to the #vip channel on the Talon Slack.

• Talon+$25

  per month on Patreon, or $255 per year

  Earlier access to new features and higher-priority support, with invites to the #beta and #vip Slack channels.

• Professional$100

  per month on Patreon, or $1,020 per year

  For people who depend on Talon for their living and want to help fund it. Includes Talon+ access.

Superwhisper

• Annual discount

  About 17% less with the yearly plan

  Pro costs $84.99 a year against $8.49 a month, which Superwhisper describes as a saving of about 17%.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Pro license for $249.99

  A one-time payment of $249.99 buys Pro for life, with the same features as the subscription. All individual plans have a 30-day refund window.

• Education

  40% off for students and educators

  Verified students, faculty and academic institutions get 40% off list price. The discount is requested by email from an institutional address before purchasing.

• Nonprofit

  40% off for nonprofits

  Verified non-profit and charitable organizations get 40% off list price, requested by email before purchasing.

Talon

• Annual discount

  15% less with annual Patreon billing

  Talon+ is $255 a year on Patreon against $25 a month, which is 15% less. The $5 and $100 tiers follow the same ratio at $51 and $1,020 a year.