Blurt

Blurt: Open-source macOS dictation tool that turns speech into polished text in active applications.

Blurt is an open-source macOS dictation application that converts speech into clean text within any active app. Built natively using AppKit and SwiftUI, it captures audio through a shortcut key and sends it directly to AssemblyAI via a Swift 6 package. Each utterance undergoes server-side LLM cleanup to remove disfluencies and fix punctuation in a single request. It supports custom writing styles, vocabulary terms, text shortcuts, and automatic multilingual detection across 18 languages. Designed for Mac users seeking a subscription-free dictation utility, it securely stores API keys in the macOS Keychain and operates without telemetry.

Blurt at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Writer
Runs on: macOS
Pricing: Free and open source; requires user-provided AssemblyAI API key with free tier available.
Released: October 2026
Category: AI writing tool
Website: github.com/assemblyai/blurt

Key features

Works anywhere text input is accepted via simulated pasting
Triggered by single modifier keys with toggle or push-to-talk modes
Performs server-side transcription and LLM cleanup in one step
Saves custom styles to shape transcript tone and formatting
Applies vocabulary terms and text shortcuts for precise spelling
Displays a floating overlay pill with real-time audio levels
Provides optional Yamaha DX7 or Roland Juno-106 cue sounds

Use it for

Dictating messages and emails directly into active text fields
Transcribing voice notes into documents without manual typing
Switching between custom writing styles for different tasks
Using text shortcuts to quickly expand spoken phrases

Alternatives to Blurt

LocalBolo — Private, on-device dictation that works in any app without cloud data usage.
SpeechFast — Dictate anywhere on Mac with 100 percent local processing and no cloud servers.
Openbroca — AI cleanup and translation turn messy speech into ready-to-send text directly in your apps.
Lavoi — Free on-device transcription that works locally without a word limit.
Voicera — Dictate anywhere on your Mac four times faster than typing.
talkflow — Transcribes speech entirely on your device with no word limits or cloud accounts
SpeakoFlow — Free and open source voice dictation and AI assistant that runs locally.
Jack Damon — Generates three candidate phrases directly inside any text input.
Loqui — It inserts corrected text directly into any app without plugins.
OpenLess — Keeps data local and allows the use of your own preferred ASR and LLM providers.
SpeakMore — Free and open source voice dictation for Mac.
Featherweight Dictation — Runs with minimal system resource usage while waiting for input.

All Blurt alternatives