Hukum vs Superwhisper
A Superwhisper alternative that runs on Linux too.
Hukum and Superwhisper both let you hold a key, speak, and type into any app, with models that can run offline. Hukum is the alternative if you use Linux, want your default model to run well on the CPU of an Intel Mac or an ordinary PC, or would rather pay once than subscribe. Superwhisper has a free plan, and its Pro plan (which adds your own API keys and cloud models) is $8.49 a month.
Superwhisper details checked 29 September 2026
Side by side
The differences that matter.
| Topic | Hukum | Superwhisper |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac (Apple silicon and Intel), Windows and Linux. | Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. |
| Offline transcription | Yes, by default. Parakeet V3 runs on the CPU, so no graphics card or Apple silicon is needed. | Yes. Its own FAQ says offline models “only run really well on Apple Silicon Macs” and that Intel Macs “work best with Cloud models”. |
| Price | One-time purchase, announced at launch. Offline models free to run; cloud models billed by the provider to your own key. | Free plan. Pro: $8.49 a month, with yearly and lifetime options. |
| Your own API keys | Included: Saaras, Deepgram, Groq, OpenAI and ElevenLabs for speech; nine providers for clean-up. | Pro plan: “Use your own AI API Keys”. |
| Indian English and Hinglish | Sarvam's Saaras v3 preset (cloud, your Sarvam key). | No Indian-English model named on its site. |
| AI clean-up | Optional, off by default. Sends text only, never audio. | Modes and tones (Formal, Casual, Legal, Chat), with custom prompts. |
| Account | None. | A licence for Pro, activated on your devices. |
In fairness
Where Superwhisper is ahead.
Mobile apps for iOS and Android. Hukum is desktop only.
A free plan you can use today, with unlimited Whisper models.
Meeting recording, file transcription and translation.
Ready-made modes and tones for different kinds of writing.
Which one
Choose by what you care about.
Choose Hukum if…
You work on Linux or an Intel Mac, want fast offline dictation without a graphics card, want Indian English through Saaras, or want to pay once.
Choose Superwhisper if…
You want voice typing on your phone too, a free plan now, or meeting recording and translation in the same app.
Questions
People also ask.
Is there a Superwhisper alternative for Linux?
Yes. Superwhisper runs on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. Hukum runs on Mac, Windows and Linux, with .deb, .rpm and AppImage packages for x64 and ARM64, on X11 and Wayland.
Is there a Superwhisper alternative without a subscription?
Hukum is a one-time purchase. Its offline models are free to run, and cloud models are billed by the provider to your own API key, with nothing in between.
Does Hukum run offline on an Intel Mac?
Yes. Hukum supports Intel Macs with macOS 10.15 or later, and its recommended model, Parakeet V3, runs on the CPU.
Does Hukum work offline?
Yes. By default Hukum transcribes with a free speech model on your own computer, so after a one-time model download it needs no internet connection and your audio is never uploaded.