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Pithflow vs Aiko

Aiko is a one-time-purchase Apple app that turns recordings and imported audio or video into text on your own device. Pithflow is live dictation: hold a key, speak, and polished text lands in whatever app you're typing in. Different jobs, and some people use both.

Short answer: Aiko if you need recordings and audio files turned into text privately on a Mac, iPhone or iPad. It runs on-device and costs $24 once. Pithflow if you want to write by voice in any app on Windows or a Mac, with AI cleanup. Pithflow does not transcribe uploaded files.

Feature comparison

Feature Pithflow Aiko
What it does Live dictation into any app Transcribes recordings and imported audio or video files
Where the audio is processed Pithflow's servers (audio not stored) On your device
Works offline No Yes
Platforms Windows 10/11; Mac since Sept 2026 Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision
Price Free 2,000 words/week; Pro $9.99/mo or $99/yr $24 one-time (App Store, Sept 2026)
AI cleanup with tones ✓ 8 tones × 6 intent modes —
Transcribes audio or video files — ✓
Subtitle export — ✓
Custom words ✓ Personal dictionary + term packs ✓ Word replacements
Languages 100+ 100
Team plan $45/mo for 5 seats —

When Pithflow makes more sense

  • ✓ Dictates straight into any app (email, Slack, Word, a browser) instead of producing a transcript to copy
  • ✓ AI cleanup with 8 tones × 6 intent modes
  • ✓ Runs on Windows as well as Mac
  • ✓ Permanent free tier: 2,000 words a week, no card
  • ✓ Team plan with a shared dictionary and snippets

When Aiko makes more sense

  • → Transcribes recordings and audio or video files; Pithflow does not transcribe uploaded files
  • → Runs entirely on your device, so audio never leaves it and it works offline
  • → One-time $24 price instead of a subscription
  • → Runs on iPhone and iPad; Pithflow has no phone or tablet app

Frequently asked questions

Is Aiko a dictation app?

Not in the live sense. Aiko turns recordings and imported audio or video files into text on your device. Pithflow is live dictation: you speak and the cleaned-up text goes straight into the app you are typing in.

Which is more private?

Aiko processes everything on your device, so the audio never leaves it. Pithflow sends your audio to its servers to be transcribed and cleaned up, and does not store it. For audio that must never leave the machine, Aiko's approach is the right one.

Does Aiko run on Windows?

No. Aiko is for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision. Pithflow runs on Windows 10 and 11 and on Mac.

Can Pithflow transcribe an audio file?

No. Pithflow dictates live, and its Meetings tab records calls and in-person meetings from your computer, but it does not transcribe uploaded audio or video files.

Verdict

They solve different problems. If you need transcripts of lectures, interviews or voice memos on an Apple device, with nothing sent to the cloud, Aiko is built for that. If you want to write by voice in the apps you already use, on Windows or a Mac, Pithflow is the tool; try it on the free 2,000 words a week.

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2,000 words/week, forever. No card required.

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