Best Willow alternatives in 2026
The best Willow alternatives in 2026 are Openbroca, sideOS, HSKWin. Openbroca has a free plan. HSKWin costs less, from $5.99/mo versus $15/mo for Willow.
Why people look for Willow alternatives
- No Android app yet; it is listed as coming soon
- Free plan uses a weaker model and caps Scribe at 20 uses a week
- Enforced zero data retention and HIPAA require the $35 Business plan
- Free plan offers only limited personalization
- Willow starts at $15/mo (Freemium).
Best Willow alternative by need
| # | Tool | Pricing | Starts at | Best for | Platforms | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Openbroca Lightweight AI dictation for Mac that cleans up what you say | Freemium | $7/mo | Freelancers, Creators, Developers | macos | 0 |
| 2 | sideOS Voice-driven Mac agent in the notch with local dictation and meetings | Paid | — | Freelancers, Developers, Small businesses | macos | 0 |
| 3 |  HSKWin HSK 3.0 mock tests, timed and scored instantly | Freemium | $6/mo | — | web | 0 |
| 4 | Xmind Mind mapping app with an AI agent that builds maps through chat | Freemium | — | Freelancers, Small businesses, Creators | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android | 0 |
| 5 | Miro AI-powered visual collaboration canvas for product and design teams | Freemium | $10/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise, Agencies | web, macos, windows, ios, android | 0 |
| 6 | Microsoft Excel The standard spreadsheet for analysis, modeling and reporting | Freemium | $10/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | web, macos, windows, ios, android | 0 |
| 7 | Scribe Auto-generated step-by-step guides and SOPs from screen activity | Freemium | $17/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | web, windows, macos | 0 |
| 8 | Beam Open individual windows from one Mac as native windows on another | Freemium | $12/mo | Developers, Creators, Freelancers | macos | 0 |
| 9 | ClawsGO Science AI research agent that runs long studies on its own cloud host | Freemium | $10/mo | Freelancers, Small businesses, Enterprise | web, macos, windows | 0 |
| 10 | DeepCell Linked spreadsheet, report and slides in one file, built by AI agents | Freemium | — | Freelancers, Small businesses, Enterprise | web, macos, windows, linux | 0 |
10 Willow alternatives compared
- 1
Openbroca
Lightweight AI dictation for Mac that cleans up what you say
Best for: Individual Mac users who want cheap, fast voice typing with cleanup in many languages.
- 2
sideOS
Voice-driven Mac agent in the notch with local dictation and meetings
Best for: Mac professionals who want a private voice agent, dictation and meeting notes in one app they pay for once.
PaidWillow vs sideOS - 3
HSKWin
HSK 3.0 mock tests, timed and scored instantly
- 4
Xmind
Mind mapping app with an AI agent that builds maps through chat
Best for: Individuals and small teams who think in outlines and want a polished cross-platform mind mapping app with an AI assistant built in.
- 5
Miro
AI-powered visual collaboration canvas for product and design teams
Best for: Product, design, agile and consulting teams that plan and workshop visually across locations.
- 6
Microsoft Excel
The standard spreadsheet for analysis, modeling and reporting
Best for: Finance, accounting and analyst teams that need the deepest spreadsheet features and the industry standard file format.
- 7
Scribe
Auto-generated step-by-step guides and SOPs from screen activity
Best for: Operations, IT and enablement teams that need accurate screenshot-based SOPs and training guides without writing them by hand.
- 8
Beam
Open individual windows from one Mac as native windows on another
Best for: Developers and creators with two Apple silicon Macs who want a remote app to behave like a local window instead of a full screen share.
- 9
ClawsGO Science
AI research agent that runs long studies on its own cloud host
Best for: Researchers and R&D teams who want long, reproducible literature and data tasks run on a managed cloud host.
- 10
DeepCell
Linked spreadsheet, report and slides in one file, built by AI agents
Best for: Analysts and consultants who use AI agents to build models, memos and decks that must stay consistent and explainable under deadline.
Willow alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Willow?
Based on features, audience and market presence, the strongest Willow alternatives are Openbroca, sideOS, HSKWin. Openbroca is the closest match for most teams.
Is there a free alternative to Willow?
Openbroca has a free plan with limits; paid plans unlock more. Other alternatives to Willow with a free or freemium option include HSKWin, Xmind, Miro.
What is cheaper than Willow?
HSKWin starts at $5.99/mo, while Willow starts at $15/mo. Prices are checked on each vendor's own pricing page.