You want local speech without an app subscription.
Padhow transcribes on your Mac after a model download. Its one-time app price also includes writing actions, clipboard history, file previews and an interactive web pane.
PADHOW VS RAYCAST
Local speech and a one-time price.
Or a broader ecosystem.
Padhow suits a Mac workflow built around on-device dictation and selected-text editing. Raycast offers more integrations, cross-device features and a capable free launcher.
Documentation reviewed 18 September 2026 · Written by Padhow’s maker · No performance benchmark claimed.
You depend on integrations or sync.
Raycast has thousands of extensions, developer tooling, AI tool use and cloud sync. Its free tier already covers many launcher tasks. Padhow does not match that ecosystem.
The practical differences
| Task | Padhow | Raycast |
|---|---|---|
| Launch, search, clipboard | Built-in app/file search and local clipboard history | Core features available free; Pro adds unlimited clipboard history |
| Dictation | On-device English transcription, local voice clipboard, five-minute sessions | Built-in dictation listed in Pro; this page does not assume it is absent or compare unverified processing details |
| AI and your own key | Apple Intelligence, Ollama and supported cloud API keys | Raycast AI and BYOK; included usage/model access depend on plan |
| Preview files | Integrated image, PDF, Markdown and code preview | File Search and Quick Look; copy/open/delete actions |
| Extensions and agents | Built-in utilities and custom AI prompts; no extension SDK or agent tool runtime | Extension store, custom extensions and AI integrations that act on connected tools |
| Sync and platforms | Current public build is Apple Silicon Mac; no released cross-device sync | Mac, Windows and iOS offerings; Pro cloud sync, with feature differences by platform |
| Price model | €12 once for the app; cloud AI paid separately | Free launcher; recurring Pro/team plans and optional higher AI tiers |
What Padhow adds to this workflow
A built-in website pane
Padhow opens interactive websites inside the launcher, with local cookies and optional blocking. The reviewed Raycast core pages describe web-search/extension workflows, not the same browser pane. We have not audited every extension.
A local-first purchase option
Use bundled local dictation and optional Apple Intelligence without recurring Padhow fees. This is a different package, not a claim that Raycast lacks dictation or is always more expensive: its core launcher is free.
Where Raycast is ahead
Extension development and distribution, AI actions across connected services, cross-device sync, team sharing and custom window layouts are clear gaps for Padhow. Raycast also provides a ready-made multi-model AI subscription; Padhow users choose local models or arrange their own cloud access.
SDK/workflow support, approved AI tool use, sync, expanded window controls and platform support are backlog work, not available today. We do not claim better speed, AI quality or privacy across every configuration.
Sources and scope
- Raycast Pro, BYOK, dictation, sync, teams and pricing
- Raycast File Search and Quick Look
- Padhow features · Local speech requirements
Plans and platform coverage change. Check Raycast’s current plan before comparing costs; Padhow’s one-time price does not include cloud AI credit.