Voxtype vs Numen Voice | Linux Speech-to-Text Comparison
Description: Compare Voxtype and Numen Voice for Linux. Dictation vs hands-free computer control.

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# Voxtype vs Numen Voice

Dictation vs hands-free computing. Two different philosophies for voice input on Linux.

## Fundamentally Different Goals

### Voxtype: "I want to type by speaking"

Hold a key, speak naturally, release. Your words appear as text. That's it.

### Numen Voice: "I want to control my computer with my voice"

Numen is for users who cannot or choose not to use a keyboard. It provides:

- Text input via syllables ("hoof each yank" → "hey")
- Mouse control
- Window management
- Application shortcuts
- Full hands-free operation

## Who Needs What

If you... | Choose...
--- | ---
Have normal keyboard use | Voxtype
Want occasional dictation | Voxtype
Have RSI or mobility issues | Numen Voice
Cannot use keyboard/mouse | Numen Voice
Want voice commands beyond text | Numen Voice

## Recognition Approach

### Voxtype (Whisper)

Transcribes natural speech accurately.

    "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" → exactly that

Handles accents, technical terms, proper nouns. 99+ language support.

### Numen (VOSK)

Optimized for command recognition. Uses syllable-based input for precision.

    "hoof each yank" → recognized reliably every time

Sacrifices natural language for command reliability.

## Example Workflows

### Writing "Hey Sarah" with Voxtype

    [Hold key]
    "Hey Sarah"
    [Release]
    → "Hey Sarah" appears

### Writing "Hey Sarah" with Numen

    "scribe"                    (dictation mode)
    "hoof each yank"            → "hey"
    "scribe cap sarah"          → "Sarah"

Numen is powerful but has a learning curve. It's designed for users who will invest time to master it for accessibility needs.

## Resource Usage

Aspect | Voxtype | Numen
--- | --- | ---
Architecture | On-demand | Always listening
Memory | ~50MB idle | ~200MB active
Model size | 300MB - 3GB | ~50MB per language
GPU Acceleration | Vulkan, CUDA, Metal, ROCm | No (VOSK is CPU-only)

### The Right Choice

Ask yourself one question: "Can I use a keyboard comfortably?"

Yes → Voxtype (or another dictation tool)

No → Numen Voice (designed for your needs)

If you have RSI or accessibility needs, Numen is purpose-built for you. The learning curve pays off with full computer control via voice.

## Links

- Voxtype
- Numen Voice
- Numen on SourceHut