vokaluVokalu vs Willow: a flat plan or the minutes you speak.
The short answer
Willow suits people who dictate every day on a computer and an iPhone and want one flat price, and teams that need its Business plan’s compliance terms. Vokalu suits Mac and Windows users whose dictation comes and goes, who would rather pay for the minutes they speak.
| What matters | Vokalu | Willow |
|---|---|---|
| Paid pricing | 1.5¢/min Dictate; 2¢/min Dictate + Format | Pro: $15/user/month, or $12 with annual billing |
| Free use | 25¢ free every week, plus a 75¢ welcome credit; one per computer | Basic: unlimited use of its lighter model, 20 Scribe uses a week |
| Platforms | Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13+ | Mac, Windows and iPhone; Android listed as coming soon |
| On-device, offline dictation | Private mode: free, after a one-time model download | Offline mode advertised on its homepage |
| Teams | One shared balance, no seat fees (business preview) | Business: $35/month, or $28 with annual billing; lists SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA |
Competitor facts: Willow pricing and plans · Willow features and platforms. Vokalu facts: pricing and system requirements. Prices exclude tax. Check current checkout terms before buying.
When Willow is worth your attention
Willow is worth a trial if you want dictation on your iPhone as well as your computer, or if its free plan already covers your day. Teams in regulated fields should read its Business plan, which lists SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA. Vokalu makes no such compliance claims.
When Vokalu fits
Vokalu fits when your dictation happens on a Mac or Windows PC and the amount changes from week to week. There is no plan to keep or cancel: you pay for minutes of speech, so a quiet month costs little. The same app also writes bot-free notes from your meetings and recordings.
Run a trial that tells you something
Dictate the same email, a long AI prompt and a message full of names you use often. If you dictate on your phone, try Willow’s iPhone app too; Vokalu has no phone app. Then multiply a normal week of your speech minutes by four and compare.
Keep track of the time from starting a dictation to having text you would actually send. Include corrections. A fast transcript that needs two minutes of editing may be a worse fit than a slower first result you can use immediately. That is a test to run yourself, not a performance claim about either product.
What this comparison does not establish
We have not run a controlled accuracy or latency benchmark between these products. Published features can change, and privacy requirements depend on the plan and configuration. Review the vendor’s terms for sensitive work. This page is written by Vokalu, not endorsed by Willow.
Questions worth asking
Is Vokalu cheaper than Willow?
It depends on how much you speak. At Vokalu’s 2¢ per minute for formatted dictation, 750 minutes costs $15, Willow Pro’s monthly price, and 600 minutes costs $12, its annual-billing price. Below those amounts Vokalu costs less on price alone. If Willow’s free plan covers your use, it costs nothing.