Notta Alternative
Notta is a solid transcription tool with multi-language support, real-time transcription, and meeting integrations. Great for recording meetings and converting audio files. But if you need to dictate text directly into any app on your Mac — not transcribe recordings — Blurt is built for that. Native desktop app, hold-to-talk, text appears at your cursor. $10/month with a free tier to start.
The Typing Problem
You want to dictate, not transcribe recordings
Notta excels at transcribing meetings and audio files after the fact. But you need to type an email right now using your voice. Opening a browser, recording yourself, then copying the text back — that's three steps too many. You want to talk and have text appear where your cursor is.
Web apps add friction to your workflow
Every time you need Notta, you switch to a browser tab. You wait for it to load. You click to start recording. Then you copy the result back to where you actually needed it. That's not voice typing — that's audio file processing with extra steps.
Meeting transcription isn't the same as dictation
Notta is optimized for capturing conversations — multiple speakers, long recordings, meeting summaries. But you're writing a Slack message or filling out a form. Different use case, different tool needed. A meeting recorder is overkill for typing a paragraph.
Mobile-first doesn't help your desktop workflow
Notta's mobile apps are polished. Their Chrome extension works. But you're at your Mac, hands on keyboard, wanting to dictate into your IDE or email client. A browser extension can't insert text into native apps. You need something that works system-wide.
How It Works
Blurt is dictation software, not transcription software. It types what you say, where you say it.
Hold your hotkey
Press your chosen key combination. Blurt starts listening instantly — no browser, no clicks.
Speak naturally
Talk the way you normally would. Blurt handles punctuation and capitalization automatically.
Release and it's typed
Your words appear right at the cursor. Email, Slack, code editor, any app. No copy-paste needed.
Real Scenarios
Typing emails and messages with your voice
You need to reply to an email. With Notta, you'd open a browser, record yourself, wait for transcription, copy the text, switch back to your email, paste. With Blurt, you hold a key, talk, release. Text appears in your email. Done in seconds, not minutes.
Dictating into any macOS application
Your text editor, your IDE, your CRM, your note-taking app — Blurt works everywhere. It's not limited to a browser tab or specific integrations. Wherever your cursor is, that's where your words go. Native app advantage.
Quick thoughts without switching contexts
You're coding and need to write a commit message. Or drafting and need to add a note. Switching to Notta breaks your flow. With Blurt, you hold a key, speak the thought, release. You never left what you were doing.
When you don't need meeting features
Speaker identification, meeting summaries, action items — powerful features you're paying for but not using. You just want to talk instead of type. Blurt does that one thing without the meeting-focused overhead.
Desktop-first voice input
Notta started mobile and added web. Blurt started Mac and stayed Mac. Native menu bar app, system-wide hotkey, direct cursor insertion. No Chrome tab running in the background, no mobile app design adapted for desktop.
Testing voice dictation without commitment
Blurt's free tier gives you first 1,000 words free. Enough to know if dictation fits your workflow. No account setup required to start, no credit card. If it works for you, Pro is $10/month or $99/year.
Notta and Blurt solve different problems. Here's an honest look at what each does best.
| Blurt | Notta | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Real-time dictation into any app | Meeting transcription and audio processing |
| How it works | Hold hotkey, speak, text appears at cursor | Record audio, process, copy result |
| Platform | macOS native app | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Works in native apps | Yes, any text field | No, browser-based output |
| Multi-language | English focus | 58+ languages |
| Price | $10/month or $99/year | Free tier, $9-14/month Pro |
| Free tier | First 1,000 words free | 120 minutes/month transcription |
| Meeting features | None | Full meeting integration suite |
When Notta Is the Better Choice
Blurt isn't trying to replace Notta for everyone. Here's when Notta is genuinely the right tool:
You need to transcribe meetings
Notta integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. It identifies speakers, generates summaries, and extracts action items. Blurt has no meeting features at all. For meeting transcription, Notta is the clear choice.
You need mobile transcription
Notta's iOS and Android apps let you record and transcribe on your phone. Blurt is macOS only. If mobile matters, Notta has you covered.
You work in multiple languages
Notta supports 58+ languages with real-time transcription. Blurt focuses on English. If you regularly work in other languages, Notta's multi-language support is a significant advantage.
You need to process existing audio files
Have a recording you need transcribed? Notta can handle audio and video file uploads. Blurt only works with live dictation — no file processing at all.
You primarily work in a browser
If your workflow is web-based — Google Docs, web apps, browser-based tools — Notta's Chrome extension keeps everything in one place. Blurt's strength is native app integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Typing Faster Today
Free to try — no credit card required
Download Blurt