Voxtype vs Blurt | Linux Speech-to-Text Comparison
Description: Compare Voxtype and Blurt for Linux speech-to-text. Both use Whisper - desktop-agnostic vs GNOME-native.

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# Voxtype vs Blurt

Both use Whisper for excellent accuracy. Both work on Wayland. The difference? Desktop integration philosophy.

## At a Glance

Aspect | Voxtype | Blurt
--- | --- | ---
Engine | whisper.cpp | whisper.cpp
Platform | Any Linux | GNOME Shell only
Activation | System-wide hotkey | GNOME hotkey
Output | ydotool typing | Clipboard/Primary
Cursor Injection | Yes | No (clipboard only)
Recording Feedback | Audio + Notifications | Visual (top bar indicator)
GPU Acceleration | Vulkan, CUDA, Metal, ROCm | No
Text Processing | Word replacements, spoken punctuation | No

## Critical Differences

### Cursor Injection vs Clipboard

Voxtype types text directly where your cursor is. Hold key, speak, release—text appears. No extra steps.

Blurt puts text in the clipboard (PRIMARY selection). You must paste manually (Ctrl+V or middle-click) after every single dictation. This is an extra step every time you use it.

### Recording Feedback

Voxtype plays audio cues when recording starts and stops. You know it's working without looking.

Blurt shows a visual indicator in the GNOME top bar (the indicator turns yellow). You have to look at the screen to know if it's recording.

## Who Should Use What

### Blurt is for you if:

- You run GNOME Shell and love the GNOME ecosystem
- You want the indicator in your top bar
- You prefer middle-click paste workflow
- You want zero configuration after install

### Voxtype is for you if:

- You use Sway, Hyprland, River, KDE, or other Wayland compositors
- You want text typed directly at cursor position
- You need push-to-talk or toggle mode options
- You prefer systemd integration

## Recognition Quality

Identical. Both use whisper.cpp with the same models. Accuracy depends only on which model you choose.

## Output Method

### Blurt: Clipboard-based

1. Speak
2. Text goes to PRIMARY selection
3. Middle-click or Ctrl+V to paste

Pros: Universal, predictable

Cons: Extra step to paste

### Voxtype: Direct typing

1. Speak
2. Text types directly at cursor via ydotool
3. Falls back to clipboard if unavailable

Pros: No extra steps

Cons: Requires ydotool daemon

### The Honest Recommendation

If you run GNOME: Try Blurt first. It's designed for your environment and integrates beautifully.

If you run anything else: Voxtype is your answer. Blurt literally requires GNOME Shell.

They're not mutually exclusive. Install both if you like.

## Related Tool: BlahST

The Blurt developer created BlahST as a more minimal alternative that works outside GNOME. If you like Blurt's approach but don't use GNOME, check out BlahST.

## Links

- Voxtype
- Blurt on GitHub
- Blurt on GNOME Extensions