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Looking for a Willow alternative?
Willow runs on cloud infrastructure, with an offline mode. Blurt's Mac and Windows apps transcribe on your device every time, for less per month.
The key difference: on-device by default.
Willow says it runs on secure cloud infrastructure in the United States, keeps no audio after transcription, and offers an offline mode that runs on your device. Blurt's Mac and Windows apps have one way of working: speech becomes text on your computer, and the audio is discarded. With Private mode on, the only network traffic is sign-in, the plan check, and word counts. Willow covers iPhone and publishes SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA support; Blurt covers Chrome and Chromebooks.
Side by side
Blurt vs Willow
| Features | Blurt | Willow |
|---|---|---|
| Where transcription happens | On your device (Mac and Windows apps) | Secure cloud infrastructure in the US, plus an on-device offline mode |
| Works without internet | Yes on Mac and Windows, after a one-time speech model download | Yes, in offline mode |
| Individual price | $9.99/mo Premium (beta rate), or $89 for 12 months | $15/mo Pro, or $12/mo billed annually |
| Free plan | 2,500 words per week, no card | Unlimited dictation on its Frontier Mini model, 20 Scribe uses per week |
| AI cleanup / formatting | Included with Premium: Email, Notes, Code & Journal modes | Smart formatting, style-matching, and Willow Scribe |
| Audio retention | Never stored; processed in memory and discarded | No audio stored after transcription |
| Hard privacy switch | Private mode: cloud cleanup unreachable, and IT can force it on | Privacy mode on by default; enforced on the Business plan |
| Compliance | BAAs and security reviews on Enterprise; controls follow NIST CSF 2.0 | SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA, with BAAs |
| Teams | Enterprise: volume licensing on one invoice, by email | Business $35/mo ($28/mo annually); Enterprise custom |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, and Chrome | Mac, Windows & iPhone |
Pick Willow if...
- You need dictation on your iPhone today.
- Your team requires a SOC 2 Type II certified vendor.
- You want a self-serve business plan with admin controls.
Pick Blurt if...
- You want your voice processed on your own machine every time.
- You want a lower individual price, or one payment for a year.
- You need dictation in Chrome or on a Chromebook.
- You want a hard lock IT can turn on for every computer.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the main difference between Blurt and Willow?
Where transcription happens by default. Willow says it runs on secure cloud infrastructure in the United States and also offers an offline mode powered by your device. Blurt's Mac and Windows apps always transcribe on your device: the audio is processed in memory and discarded, and never sent to Blurt or anyone else.
Is Blurt cheaper than Willow?
Yes, for one person. Blurt Premium is $9.99 a month at the beta rate, or $89 for a 12-month license that does not renew. Willow Pro is $15 a month, or $12 a month billed annually. Both have a free plan: Blurt's gives you 2,500 words a week, and Willow's Basic plan gives unlimited dictation on its Frontier Mini model with 20 Scribe uses a week.
Which is better for HIPAA or clinical notes?
It depends on how you want to get there. Willow says it is SOC 2 Type II certified and supports HIPAA-regulated teams with Business Associate Agreements, with HIPAA enforced on its Business plan. Blurt keeps clinical audio on the computer: Private mode makes cloud cleanup unreachable and writes no transcripts to disk, it includes an offline medical vocabulary, and Enterprise covers security reviews, procurement, and BAAs.
Does Blurt work in the browser or on a Chromebook?
Yes. Blurt for Chrome is a browser extension that works in any text box on the web, wherever Chrome runs, including Chromebooks. In the extension, speech recognition is done by Chrome's built-in speech service rather than on your device. Willow's site lists Mac, Windows, and iPhone.
Can I use Blurt on my iPhone?
Not today. Blurt runs on Mac, Windows, and in Chrome on a computer. Willow offers an iPhone app, so if you need dictation on your phone, Willow covers it.
Willow pricing, platform, and security details are from willowvoice.com (home, pricing, and security pages), checked October 9, 2026, and may change. All trademarks belong to their owners; Blurt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Willow. See our pricing for current Blurt plans.
Try the on-device way.
Download Blurt, sign in with your email, and dictate your first sentence in minutes. Free plan, no card required.
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