VoiceInk isn't on Windows. Glimpse is.
VoiceInk runs only on Apple Silicon Macs, and there's no Windows version. On a PC, Glimpse is the closest match: open source, local by default, with Whisper and Parakeet on your own machine. Dictation is free for good, not a trial.
Last updated September 23, 2026See the full Glimpse vs VoiceInk comparison
The short answer
Pick VoiceInk if
- You're on an Apple Silicon Mac with macOS 14.4 or later. That's where VoiceInk runs.
- You want an iPhone and iPad app from the same developer.
- You want Modes that switch on an app, a website, or a spoken word.
Pick Glimpse if
- You're on Windows 10 or 11. VoiceInk has no Windows version.
- You want the same open-source, local-first idea. Your audio stays on your PC by default.
- Dictation is free with every model. Nothing to buy to keep going.
- You switch between a Mac and a PC. Glimpse runs on both, Intel Macs included.
- You record meetings. Glimpse does it on Windows, with on-device speaker detection.
Side by side
| Feature | Glimpse | VoiceInk |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | YesWindows 10 and 11 | Nono Windows version |
| macOS | Yes14+, Apple Silicon and Intel | YesApple Silicon, 14.4+ |
| iPhone and iPad | No | Yesfree in beta, paid after |
| Price | Free dictationFrom $25 one-time | One-time $25 to $49 (1 to 3 Macs) |
| Free tier | Unlimited dictationevery model, no word limit | Free trialthen paid, or build it yourself |
| Open source | Yes, AGPL-3.0audit it on GitHub | Yes, GPL-3.0on GitHub |
| Local models | Whisper, Parakeet, and moreon Windows and Mac | Whisper, Parakeet, Apple SpeechMac only |
| Cloud transcription | Optionalbring your own key | Optionalbring your own key |
| Custom dictionary | Yesplus Auto Dictionary | Yeswith auto-learn |
| AI cleanup | Yes, your own LLMlocal or cloud, with a license | AI enhancementlocal or cloud providers |
| Per-app modes | Yeswith a license | Yesapp, website, and spoken-word triggers |
| Audio / video file import | Yeswith a license | Yes |
| Meeting recording | Yeswith speaker labels, with a license | Nonot in their docs |
In detail
There's no VoiceInk for Windows
VoiceInk's desktop app needs an Apple Silicon Mac on macOS 14.4 or later. Its developer also makes an iPhone and iPad app, but there's no Windows version on its site. One thing to watch for: voice-ink.com is a different app from another company that uses the same name and does run on Windows. It isn't the open-source VoiceInk. Glimpse isn't affiliated with either. It's a separate app that happens to share VoiceInk's values.
What carries over
The workflow is the same: press a shortcut, talk, and the text shows up in whatever app you're in. Both apps are open source and transcribe on your machine by default, with cloud speech or AI providers only if you add your own keys. On Windows, Glimpse runs Whisper and Parakeet, plus Distil-Whisper, Qwen3-ASR, and Nemotron streaming. The custom dictionary, Auto Dictionary, replacements, and history are all free.
What's different
VoiceInk is free to try, then $25 for one Mac, $39 for two, or $49 for three, once. Glimpse dictation never needs a purchase. A license for the extras (the Library, Recording mode, AI Cleanup, Edit Mode, and per-app styles) is $25 once for one device or $39 for three, after a 14-day trial. You'll miss a few VoiceInk things: Modes that trigger on a spoken word, its assistant mode, Apple's speech model, and a phone app. You gain meeting recording with speaker detection that runs on your PC.
Getting started on Windows
Glimpse runs on Windows 10 and later. Install it from the Microsoft Store or download the installer directly, pick a model, and press Ctrl+Shift+Space to talk. Glimpse can't import VoiceInk's settings, so add your dictionary words again, or let Auto Dictionary pick them up as you go.
Sources checked
Comparison copy was checked against these public sources on September 23, 2026.
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