Voxtype vs Vocalinux | Linux Speech-to-Text Comparison
Description: Compare Voxtype and Vocalinux for Linux speech-to-text. Both use Whisper. Daemon vs foreground process.

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# Voxtype vs Vocalinux

Two Whisper-based tools with similar goals. Both work on Wayland, both inject text at cursor, both have audio feedback. The key difference? How they run.

## At a Glance

Aspect | Voxtype | Vocalinux
--- | --- | ---
Engine | Whisper (whisper.cpp) | Whisper
Language | Rust | Python
Architecture | Systemd daemon | Foreground process
Text Output | wtype (native Wayland) | ydotool
CJK/Unicode Output | Yes | No (ydotool limitation)
Recording Feedback | Audio + Notifications | Audio + Visual
GPU Acceleration | Vulkan, CUDA, Metal, ROCm | No
Text Processing | Word replacements, spoken punctuation | No
Voice Commands | No | Yes

## The Big Difference: Daemon vs Foreground

### Voxtype: Background Daemon

Voxtype runs as a systemd user service. It starts automatically at login, runs invisibly in the background, and is always ready. You never need to think about starting it.

    systemctl --user enable --now voxtype
    # That's it. It's running. Forever.

### Vocalinux: Foreground Process

Vocalinux runs in the foreground. You must start it manually each session, and keep it running. Close the terminal or process, lose dictation.

    source venv/bin/activate
    vocalinux
    # Must stay running in a terminal

You can create your own systemd service or autostart script, but it's not provided out of the box.

## Voice Commands

### Vocalinux: Built-in Commands

Vocalinux includes voice commands for:

- Punctuation: "period", "comma", "question mark"
- Formatting: "new line", "new paragraph"
- Editing: "backspace", "delete", "undo", "redo"

Say "period" and you get a period. No keyboard needed.

### Voxtype: Pure Transcription

Voxtype transcribes exactly what you say. Punctuation comes from Whisper's model intelligence. If you say "Hello comma how are you question mark", Voxtype will transcribe that literally. Whisper often adds appropriate punctuation automatically based on speech patterns.

## Installation

### Voxtype

    # Package install (Debian/Ubuntu)
    curl -LO https://github.com/peteonrails/voxtype/releases/download/v0.2.1/voxtype_0.2.1-1_amd64.deb
    sudo dpkg -i voxtype_0.2.1-1_amd64.deb
    voxtype setup model
    voxtype setup systemd
    systemctl --user enable --now voxtype

Time to first dictation: ~5 minutes

### Vocalinux

    git clone https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux.git
    cd vocalinux
    ./install.sh
    source venv/bin/activate
    vocalinux

Time to first dictation: ~10-15 minutes

## Similar Strengths

Both tools share these capabilities:

- Whisper engine - Excellent accuracy
- 100% offline - No cloud, no subscriptions
- Wayland support - Works on modern desktops
- Cursor injection - Text types where your cursor is
- Audio feedback - Sounds when recording starts/stops

### Which to Choose?

Choose Voxtype if: You want a daemon that starts automatically, prefer packaged installation, and don't need voice commands for punctuation.

Choose Vocalinux if: You want built-in voice commands for editing, prefer Python/YAML configuration, and don't mind manual startup.

## Links

- Voxtype
- Vocalinux
- Vocalinux on GitHub