Kalam
$0forever for core dictation
$0 a year. Forever.
Pro $4.99/mo · Max $11.99/mo if you want hosted AI.
Download freeKalam vs Wispr Flow vs Superwhisper
They charge you to talk. We don’t.
Wispr Flow and Superwhisper put everyday dictation behind about $8.49/mo. Kalam’s core is free forever — local Whisper or your own keys. No account. No card. Current builds are beta.
- $0 core
- Offline Whisper
- Linux beta
Price
Same job. Different bill.
Wispr Flow
$8.49/mo (their list price)
≈ $101.88 a year
Dictation is inside the subscription.
Their siteSuperwhisper
$8.49/mo (their list price)
≈ $101.88 a year
Same ballpark as Wispr on published pricing.
Their siteCompetitor prices are public list figures, not a quote. Confirm on their sites before you pay.
Why switch
Three facts they can’t match.
Speak without a subscription
Unlimited local or BYOK dictation on Free. The others meter everyday talking behind ~$8.49/mo.
Keep audio on this computer
Offline Whisper never leaves the machine. Cloud STT only if you turn it on — your keys or Kalam Max.
Windows and Linux beta today
Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, Fedora. Wispr and Superwhisper do not ship Linux. macOS is still coming soon.
Matrix
Every row, side by side.
Kalam’s column is the free core plus what Pro and Max add. Scroll sideways on a phone.
12/12 Kalam
7/12 Superwhisper
1/12 Wispr Flow
Rows with a check, counted from the matrix below. Judge every row yourself.
| Feature | Kalam Free core Download free | Wispr Flow | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free · Pro $4.99 · Max $11.99 (hosted AI) | $8.49/mo (includes compute) | $8.49/mo (includes compute) |
| Free dictation | Unlimited (local or BYOK) | Limited free tier | Limited (small models) |
| No API keys needed | Max tier — Kalam-hosted STT + AI | Included in subscription | Included in subscription |
| Dictation profiles | Unlimited custom profiles (Pro) | No custom modes | 7 built-in + custom |
| Polish (AI cleanup) | Toggle on any profile (Pro) | Baked into each mode | Baked into each mode |
| Context awareness | Toggle on any profile (Pro) | No | Super Mode only |
| Voice-activated editing | Highlight → speak (Pro) | No | Available |
| Offline / local STT | 100% offline capable | Primarily cloud | Offline available |
| BYOK (your API keys) | Groq, OpenAI, more | Billed through Wispr | Pro tier only |
| Notes, tasks & workspace | Built-in, free | No | No |
| Multi-device sync + stats | All paid plans | No | No |
| Linux desktop | Beta (Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, Fedora) | No | No |
Sources last reviewed on this site: wisprflow.ai and superwhisper.com. Linux beta covers Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, and Fedora. macOS is still coming soon.
Head to head
Pick your matchup.
Kalam vs Wispr Flow
Wispr Flow meters everyday dictation at $8.49/mo, runs primarily in the cloud, and ships no Linux app. Kalam’s core dictation is free, works fully offline, and has a published Linux beta.
- Free forever core — Wispr’s free tier is limited. Kalam’s local or BYOK dictation is unlimited at $0.
- Offline by default — Wispr is primarily cloud. Kalam runs 100% offline with local Whisper.
- Custom profiles — Wispr has no custom modes. Kalam Pro gives unlimited profiles with per-app auto-activation.
- Linux exists — Wispr has no Linux build. Kalam ships a beta for Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, and Fedora.
Kalam vs Superwhisper
Superwhisper is the closest match on features — offline STT and custom modes — but everyday use still sits behind $8.49/mo and there is no Linux build. Kalam does the core for $0 on Windows and Linux.
- Price of entry — Superwhisper’s free tier is limited to small models. Kalam’s core is unlimited and free.
- BYOK on Free — Superwhisper gates your own API keys behind its Pro tier. Kalam takes your Groq or OpenAI keys at $0.
- Workspace built in — Notes, tasks, and dictation history ship free in Kalam. Superwhisper has no workspace.
- Windows + Linux — Superwhisper has no Linux build. Kalam runs on Windows 11+ and Linux beta today.
Switch
Leave the subscription this afternoon.
- 01
Download the beta
Windows 11+ or Linux. No account required to dictate.
- 02
Talk into any app
Hotkey, speak, text lands in the focused window. Workspace notes are included on Free.
- 03
Stay free — or go Pro/Max
Upgrade only if you want AI polish, extra profiles, sync, or Kalam-hosted STT.
Questions
Straight answers, no theater.
What’s the catch?
Current builds are beta. Features can change, and beta sends telemetry plus diagnostic logs — read the Beta Policy before you install. Core dictation is still free. See Beta Policy.
Do I need an account or a card?
No. Download and dictate. Sign in later if you want Pro, Max, or sync across devices.
Is Linux ready to live on?
It is a published beta for Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, and Fedora — not a secret build. Expect sharp edges; that is what beta means.
Where is macOS?
Coming soon. Windows and Linux are what you can download today.
Are Wispr and Superwhisper prices exact?
They change. Figures on this page are list prices we last reviewed on their public sites — confirm before you buy. See wisprflow.ai.
Download free. Talk today.
Windows 11+ and Linux beta. No card. About $101.88 a year stays in your pocket — upgrade later only if you want polish or hosted AI.