SuperWhisper vs Willow Voice 2026
Both tested on the same ElevenLabs audio fixtures. Here is who wins where — every score is measured, not editorial.
Benchmarked on identical audio · tested 2026-06-09 · SuperWhisper 1.4.0, Willow Voice 2.1.2
Willow Voice leads by 0.4 points overall.
A hidden local engine versus an effortless cloud one — the split is offline control against out-of-box polish. SuperWhisper wins on privacy, ux and features; Willow Voice wins on accuracy and speed.
How they compare, axis by axis
| Where they differ | SuperWhisper | Verdict | Willow Voice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 93.9% accurate | Wins | 99.0% accurate |
| Speed | ~2s | Wins | ~1s |
| Privacy | Local mode keeps audio on device | Wins | Audio always uploaded |
| UX | avg 4.2/5 across 10 criteria | Wins | avg 4.0/5 across 10 criteria |
| Features | 5/7 features | Wins | 4/7 features |
| Overall | 7.1 | Wins | 7.5 |
Where SuperWhisper pulls ahead
SuperWhisper wins privacy and ownership. It is the only one of the two that runs fully offline — in local mode the audio never leaves the device — while Willow is cloud-only with extensive tracking that can’t be disabled. That architectural split decides the privacy axis outright. SuperWhisper also offers a one-time lifetime licence ($249.99) instead of Willow’s open-ended $15/mo subscription, and on its hidden Whisper Standard model it is the most accurate local engine we measured (98.4%).
The cost is the default experience: SuperWhisper ships a weak default model and buries the good one behind a Library search, so most users never reach the accuracy the app is capable of.
Where Willow Voice pulls ahead
Willow wins everything about the first five minutes. It is 99.0% accurate out of the box — the highest on the site — streams results in 0–2 seconds, and needs no model-picking at all, where SuperWhisper makes you go hunting for its best engine. Willow nails ITN on numbers and dates and stays clean on accented and casual speech, and it reaches iPhone, which SuperWhisper doesn’t.
It also has a real weekly free tier (2,000 words, no card). The trade-off is the privacy axis above: that polish is entirely cloud-based, every recording is uploaded, and the tracking can’t be turned off.
Choose SuperWhisper if…
- You want a genuine offline mode — SuperWhisper’s local Whisper Standard keeps audio on-device.
- You prefer a one-time lifetime licence over a subscription.
- You will dig into settings: the best local model is hidden, but it is the most accurate option here.
Choose Willow Voice if…
- You want near-instant cloud results (0–2s) with zero model-picking.
- You value flawless numbers and dates — Willow nails ITN out of the box.
- You are comfortable in the cloud and want a polished, Mac-style experience.
Accuracy by recording (default models)
| Recording | SuperWhisper | Willow Voice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coding / technical | 64.3% | 31.5 points Willow Voice | 95.9% |
| Casual voice memo | 63.0% | 37.0 points Willow Voice | 100.0% |
| Casual + café noise | 95.2% | 4.8 points Willow Voice | 100.0% |
| Conference / accented | 75.5% | 24.1 points Willow Voice | 99.5% |
| Long-form (4 min) | 81.2% | 18.0 points Willow Voice | 99.3% |
| Numbers / ITN | 92.7% | 7.3 points Willow Voice | 100.0% |
Word accuracy on identical audio — higher is better. Both use their default out-of-box model.
SuperWhisper vs Willow Voice: frequently asked questions
Is SuperWhisper more accurate than Willow Voice?
Out of the box, no. Willow is 99.0% accurate on install with no setup — the highest we measured. SuperWhisper’s default model is much weaker; its hidden Whisper Standard model is competitive at 98.4%, but only once you dig into the Library and switch to it.
Which is better for privacy, SuperWhisper or Willow Voice?
SuperWhisper, used in local mode — the audio never leaves your device. Willow is cloud-only and its tracking cannot be turned off, so it loses the privacy axis decisively. This is the clearest difference between the two.
Does Willow Voice work offline?
No. Willow is cloud-only and uploads every recording. SuperWhisper has a genuine offline mode that runs fully on-device, which is its main advantage here.
Is SuperWhisper or Willow Voice cheaper?
SuperWhisper is cheaper long-term: a one-time lifetime licence at $249.99 versus Willow’s subscription-only $15/mo. Willow does offer a recurring free tier (2,000 words a week), while SuperWhisper’s free use is limited to small models after the trial.
Which should I choose if I just want polished dictation?
Willow. It is the fastest and most accurate out of the box, with near-instant cloud results and nothing to configure. Choose SuperWhisper if you need an offline mode or a lifetime licence and are willing to switch to its hidden Whisper Standard model.