Google Voice Typing Alternative
Google Voice Typing is free and works well in Chrome and on Android devices. But it's limited to the browser. If you need voice-to-text that works in every application on your Mac — your code editor, Slack, email clients, design tools — Blurt is a native desktop app that types wherever your cursor is. Simple pricing at $10/month with a free tier to start.
The Typing Problem
You're stuck in the browser
Google Voice Typing only works in Chrome and Google Docs. The moment you switch to VS Code, Slack desktop, your email client, or any native Mac app, you're back to typing. You need something that follows you everywhere, not just browser tabs.
Privacy concerns with always-on Google
Google Voice Typing sends your audio to Google's servers. For many people, that's fine. But if you're dictating sensitive work — client information, proprietary code, personal messages — you might want more control over where your voice data goes.
No proper desktop experience
There's no Google Voice Typing app for macOS. You can't set a global hotkey that works across all applications. You're forced to either keep a browser tab open or copy-paste text from Google Docs to where you actually need it.
Offline means nothing works
Lose your internet connection and Google Voice Typing stops completely. There's no offline fallback, no cached functionality. Your voice-to-text workflow depends entirely on staying connected.
How It Works
Blurt is a native macOS app. One global hotkey works in every application. Hold, talk, release — text appears wherever your cursor is.
Hold your button
Press your chosen hotkey from any app. A small indicator shows Blurt is listening.
Talk naturally
Say what you want to type. Blurt handles punctuation automatically.
Release and done
Text appears at your cursor — in VS Code, Slack, Notion, anywhere. No browser required.
Real Scenarios
Voice typing in your code editor
You're writing a commit message in VS Code. With Google Voice Typing, you'd need to open Chrome, dictate in a Google Doc, copy the text, switch back, and paste. With Blurt, you hold the hotkey, say 'Fix authentication bug in login flow', release, and it's typed right there in your editor. Same workflow for code comments, README files, and PR descriptions.
Replying in Slack without browser workarounds
Someone pings you in Slack desktop. Google Voice Typing doesn't work there. Blurt does. Hold the button, say your response, release. Text appears in the message field. No copying from a browser tab.
Email clients that aren't Gmail
You use Apple Mail, Spark, or Outlook. Google Voice Typing is designed for Gmail in Chrome. Blurt works in any email client because it works everywhere. Hold, talk, release — your email is typed.
Design tools and creative apps
You're adding text layers in Figma, writing notes in Miro, or documenting in Notion desktop. These aren't browser-based Google Docs. Blurt types into all of them with the same simple hotkey.
Taking notes during video calls
You're on a Zoom call and need to jot down action items. You can't switch to Chrome and start dictating. With Blurt, you hold the hotkey in any notes app, whisper your notes, and keep your focus on the meeting.
When you want a real app, not a browser feature
Blurt lives in your menu bar. It starts with your Mac, has its own preferences, and works reliably as a native app should. No browser tabs to keep open, no extensions to manage, no wondering if it's still running.
Blurt and Google Voice Typing serve different needs. Here's an honest comparison.
| Blurt | Google Voice Typing | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Native macOS app | Chrome browser, Android |
| Works in | Any application | Chrome and Google Docs only |
| Price | $10/month or $99/year | Free |
| Free tier | First 1,000 words free | Unlimited (in supported apps) |
| Global hotkey | Yes, works everywhere | No, browser-only activation |
| Offline support | Requires internet | Requires internet |
| Desktop app | Yes, native menu bar app | No desktop app available |
When Google Voice Typing Is the Better Choice
Blurt isn't right for everyone. Here's when Google Voice Typing makes more sense:
You do most of your work in Chrome
If you live in Google Docs, Gmail, and browser-based tools, Google Voice Typing is built for you. It's free and deeply integrated. Why pay for Blurt if your workflow never leaves the browser?
Free matters more than flexibility
Google Voice Typing costs nothing. If budget is tight and you can work around the browser limitation, it's hard to beat free. Blurt gives you first 1,000 words free — Google's is unlimited in supported apps.
You use Android
Google Voice Typing works great on Android phones and tablets. Blurt is macOS only. If you need voice typing on mobile, Google has you covered and we don't.
You're already in the Google ecosystem
If you use Google Workspace for everything — Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar — Google Voice Typing integrates seamlessly. It's already there, no additional software to install.
You don't need desktop app integration
Some people genuinely don't use native Mac apps much. If your workflow is web-first and you rarely leave Chrome, Google Voice Typing does the job without any cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
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