MacWhisper isn't on Windows. Glimpse is.
MacWhisper only runs on Macs, and there's no Windows version. On a PC, Glimpse covers most of the same ground: audio and video files, meeting recordings, and dictation into any app, all transcribed on your machine with speaker labels. Dictation is free. Files and meetings come with a $25 license, after a 14-day trial.
Last updated September 23, 2026See the full Glimpse vs MacWhisper comparison
The short answer
Pick MacWhisper if
- You're on a Mac and files are most of your work. MacWhisper has more tools around them.
- You want YouTube and URL transcription, watched folders, or translation.
- You want PDF, DOCX, or HTML export, or recordings sent to Notion, Obsidian, or Zapier.
- You want recording that starts on its own when a Zoom or Teams call begins.
Pick Glimpse if
- You're on Windows 10 or 11. MacWhisper has no Windows version.
- Drop in audio or video and get a transcript with speaker labels, all on your PC.
- Record meetings with your mic and everyone else on separate tracks.
- Dictate into any app for free, with every model.
- You want to read the code. Glimpse is open source.
Side by side
| Feature | Glimpse | MacWhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | YesWindows 10 and 11 | Nono Windows version |
| macOS | Yes14+, Apple Silicon and Intel | Yes |
| Price | Free dictationFrom $25 one-time | Free + Pro €64one-time license |
| Open source | Yes, AGPL-3.0audit it on GitHub | No |
| Local models | Whisper, Parakeet, and moreon Windows and Mac | Whisper and ParakeetMac only |
| Audio / video file transcription | Yes, in the Librarywith a license | Yesbatch, YouTube, watched folders |
| Speaker detection | On-deviceup to 8 speakers, with a license | Yes |
| Meeting recording | Yeswhole PC or apps you pick, with a license | Yesstarts on its own for call apps |
| Export formats | txt, md, srt, vtt | srt, vtt, txt, md, pdf, html, docx |
| Translation | No | Yes |
| System-wide dictation | Yes, freewhat Glimpse is built around | Includednot its main focus |
| AI cleanup | Yes, your own LLMlocal or cloud, with a license | AI promptsPro, bring your own key |
In detail
There's no MacWhisper for Windows
MacWhisper is a Mac app. It comes as a free version and a one-time Pro license on its own site, plus a separate App Store version. There's no Windows build. Glimpse isn't affiliated with MacWhisper or its developer. It's a separate app that runs on both Windows and Mac.
Files and meetings on your PC
Drop an audio or video file into the Library and Glimpse transcribes it on your PC, with a transcript that follows along as it plays. Speaker detection runs on your machine and tells up to 8 voices apart. Rename, merge, or recolor speakers, then export to txt, md, srt, or vtt. Common MP4, MOV, and WebM files work out of the box on Windows. Recording mode captures your mic, your whole PC, or only the apps you pick, like Zoom or your browser, and keeps you and everyone else on separate tracks. Both need a license, and both are in the 14-day trial.
What you'll miss
MacWhisper has more tools around files. Glimpse has no YouTube or URL transcription, no watched folders, no translation, no PDF or DOCX export, and no Notion or Zapier hookups. Recording doesn't start on its own when a call begins. If you want to script things, a Glimpse license includes a CLI and a local speech API.
Dictation comes free
This is where Glimpse started. Press a shortcut, talk, and the text lands in any app. Every model is free for dictation, with no word limit: Whisper, Distil-Whisper, Parakeet, Qwen3-ASR, and Nemotron streaming on Windows. The custom dictionary, Auto Dictionary, replacements, and history are free too.
Pricing
MacWhisper has a free version and a Pro license for €64, once. Glimpse dictation is free. A license for files, meetings, and the other extras is $25 once for one device, or $39 for up to three. Business is $48 per seat per year. Get Glimpse from the Microsoft Store or download it directly. It runs on Windows 10 and later.
Sources checked
Comparison copy was checked against these public sources on September 23, 2026.
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