Superwhisper for Windows: what it is, and a Windows-first alternative
Superwhisper started on the Mac and now has a Windows app: on-device models, push-to-talk, context-aware modes, $8 a month. That is close to what Holdkey is. The differences are where the products started and what they optimise for: Holdkey is Windows-only, measures release-to-text latency on every dictation, and keeps Raw mode free with no cap.
Last checked September 2026. Facts about other products come from their public pages and reviews; tell us if something changed.
| Holdkey | Superwhisper (Windows) | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | Smart managed recognition or Local on-device recognition; Local is the automatic fallback | On-device models on Windows 10/11; offline (per their Windows page) |
| Origin | Built for Windows first, in Rust; under 100 MB idle | Mac app first; Windows version added later |
| Trigger | Hold one key, release. No wake word, no window to focus | Push-to-talk and hotkeys |
| Latency (same mic, same audio, Sept 2026) | 5 s clip: 106 ms Raw, about 600 ms Clean. 19 s clip: about 100 ms, Raw and Clean | 5 s clip: about 390 ms. 19 s clip: about 540 ms (local model); grows with clip length |
| Accuracy on the same clips | 0% and 1% word error; shadcn and Zustand right via vocabulary | 14% and 1 to 4% word error; chat dialog, Zustan store |
| Long dictations | Transcribed as you pause; nothing is lost; every dictation kept in a local history | Transcribed after you stop |
| Modes | Raw and Clean; the destination app sets the style automatically, nothing to pick | Many modes and custom prompts, chosen per app or manually |
| Free plan | Raw unlimited, Clean 2,000 words a week, no expiry | Free tier that does not expire (limits not stated on the Windows page) |
| Price | Local free; Founder Pro $10/mo | Pro $8/mo |
When Superwhisper is the better choice
You already use it on a Mac and want the same modes on Windows, you want many custom prompt modes, or you dictate in languages Holdkey does not expose yet.
When Holdkey is the better choice
You live in Claude Code, Cursor or a terminal on Windows and care about the half second between letting go of the key and the text landing. You want the free tier to stay useful (Raw is unlimited). You would rather the app never ask you to pick a mode.
Local is free with no account. Hold a key, talk, release. Upgrade to Smart when accuracy matters most.
Get Holdkey for Windows