Google Docs Voice Typing Alternative

Google Docs Voice Typing is free and works well — if you live inside Google Docs on Chrome. But the moment you need to voice type in Slack, VS Code, your email client, or any other app, you're stuck. Blurt works everywhere on your Mac. Hold a button, speak, release — text appears wherever your cursor is. $10/month or $99/year, with a free tier to start.

First 1,000 words free Works in any app No Chrome required

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The Typing Problem

Your voice typing disappears when you leave Google Docs

You've trained yourself to use Google Docs Voice Typing. It's fast, it's free, it works. Then you switch to Slack. Or your email client. Or a code editor. Suddenly you're back to typing everything by hand. The productivity gain vanishes the moment you leave one specific app.

Chrome is the only supported browser

Google Docs Voice Typing only works in Chrome. If you prefer Safari for privacy, or Firefox for development tools, or Arc for organization — too bad. You're forced to keep Chrome open just for voice typing, even if it's not your browser of choice.

No internet means no voice typing

On a plane? Spotty coffee shop wifi? Working from a location with unreliable internet? Google Docs Voice Typing requires a constant connection to Google's servers. When the connection drops, so does your ability to dictate.

You're locked into Google's ecosystem

To use voice typing, you need Chrome. And Google Docs. And a Google account. That's a lot of Google for people who want to use other tools. Your voice typing shouldn't force you into one company's ecosystem.

How It Works

Blurt is a simple macOS app. It works in any application — not just one specific document editor in one specific browser.

Hold your button

Press your chosen hotkey anywhere on your Mac. A small indicator shows Blurt is listening.

Talk naturally

Say what you want to type. Blurt handles punctuation automatically.

Release and done

Text appears wherever your cursor is — Slack, email, VS Code, Notes, anywhere. No app restrictions.

Real Scenarios

Voice typing in Slack, Teams, and messaging apps

You need to send a quick message. With Google Docs Voice Typing, you'd have to open Docs, dictate, copy the text, switch apps, and paste. With Blurt, you hold the button in Slack itself, speak, and the message appears. No app switching. No copying and pasting.

Dictating code comments and documentation

You're in VS Code writing a README or adding comments. Google Docs Voice Typing can't help here — it only works in Google Docs. Blurt works right in your code editor. Hold the button, describe what the function does, release. Comment written.

Writing emails in any email client

Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, Superhuman — Blurt doesn't care which email client you use. Hold the button, dictate your reply, release. Works in the compose window of any app, not just Google's webmail in Chrome.

Quick notes while researching

You're reading a PDF, watching a video, or browsing the web. You want to capture a thought in Notes, Obsidian, or Notion. Switch to your notes app, hold the Blurt button, speak your thought, release. No need to open a Google Doc just to transcribe.

Using Safari or Firefox as your main browser

You prefer Safari's privacy features, or Firefox's developer tools, or Arc's organization. With Blurt, your browser choice doesn't affect voice typing. Use whatever browser you want — Blurt works system-wide.

When you want voice typing without a Google account

Not everyone wants to be logged into Google. Blurt requires no Google account, no browser plugins, no specific app. Just a macOS app that runs in your menu bar and works everywhere.

Google Docs Voice Typing and Blurt take fundamentally different approaches. Here's an honest comparison.

	Blurt	Google Docs Voice Typing
Works in	Any app on macOS	Google Docs only
Browser requirement	None	Chrome only
Offline support	Requires internet	Requires internet
Price	$10/month or $99/year	Free
Free tier	First 1,000 words free	Unlimited (in Google Docs)
Voice commands	None	Yes, for formatting and editing
Platform	macOS only	Chrome browser only
Accuracy	High (AI transcription)	Good (Google Speech API)

When Google Docs Voice Typing Is the Better Choice

Blurt isn't right for everyone. Here's when you should stick with Google Docs Voice Typing:

You work almost entirely in Google Docs

If 90% of your writing happens in Google Docs anyway, the built-in voice typing is genuinely convenient. It's right there in the Tools menu, no extra software needed. Free and already integrated.

Free is your primary requirement

Google Docs Voice Typing costs nothing. If you're on a tight budget and can work within its limitations, it's hard to argue with free. Blurt's free tier offers first 1,000 words free, but unlimited use requires a subscription.

You need voice commands for editing

Google Docs Voice Typing lets you say 'bold that' or 'new paragraph' to format text by voice. Blurt has no voice commands — it's purely dictation. If voice-based editing commands are important to your workflow, Google's tool offers more.

You're already in Chrome all day

If Chrome is your primary browser and you're comfortable in Google's ecosystem, the integration is seamless. Voice Typing is one click away in any Google Doc.

You don't use macOS

Blurt is macOS only. If you're on Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux, Google Docs Voice Typing works for you while Blurt doesn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why pay for Blurt when Google Docs Voice Typing is free?

Because it works everywhere. If you only write in Google Docs, the free option makes sense. But if you use Slack, email clients, code editors, note apps, or anything else, Blurt lets you voice type in all of them. The time saved not copying and pasting from Google Docs pays for itself quickly.

Does Blurt work as well as Google's voice recognition?

Yes. Blurt uses modern AI transcription that's comparable to — and often better than — Google's speech recognition. Both handle natural speech, accents, and technical terms well. Blurt also adds punctuation automatically, which Google Docs Voice Typing often misses.

Can I use voice commands like in Google Docs Voice Typing?

No. Blurt is purely dictation — it converts your speech to text. It doesn't have commands like 'select all' or 'bold that.' If voice commands for editing are essential to your workflow, Google Docs Voice Typing offers more in that area.

Does Blurt work offline like some dictation tools?

No, Blurt requires an internet connection for transcription. In this regard, it's similar to Google Docs Voice Typing. The difference is where you can use it — any app vs. only Google Docs.

What if I need to voice type on Windows?

Blurt is macOS only. We focused on creating the best possible Mac experience with native menu bar integration and system-level keyboard shortcuts. Windows and Linux versions are not currently available.

How do I try Blurt before committing?

Blurt offers a free tier with first 1,000 words free — no credit card required. That's enough to test it across your regular apps and see if system-wide voice typing makes a difference in your workflow.

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