Linux installation

Install Voice Dictation on Linux

Pick your distro guide and follow a proven setup flow for offline speech-to-text on Linux. Every guide is written for real desktop usage.

install.sh --interactive

user@linux:~$ curl -fsSL \
  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/main/install.sh \
  -o /tmp/vl.sh && \
bash /tmp/vl.sh --interactive

Then launch vocalinux.

No installer

AppImage

x86_64 or aarch64 from GitHub Releases. No root. Host text-injection tools are still required.

New

Native packages

.deb for Debian 12+ and Ubuntu 24.04+. .rpm for Fedora. x86_64 and aarch64 on every release.

Auto-updates

Flatpak

Install once from the VocaHQ remote and flatpak update carries each stable release. Or sideload the .flatpak bundle.

Snap Store

Snap

snap install vocalinux --edge. amd64 only for now; a .snap is attached to every release too.

Arch

AUR

yay -S vocalinux, or vocalinux-bin for the prebuilt package.

From source

Build it yourself

Clone the repo and run ./install.sh. The install guide has the full source path.

Ubuntu

Install offline voice dictation on Ubuntu 24.04+ with GNOME, KDE, X11, or Wayland.

Read Ubuntu guide

Fedora

Set up speech-to-text on Fedora Workstation and Silverblue with distro-specific notes.

Read Fedora guide

Arch Linux

Install Vocalinux on Arch, Manjaro, and EndeavourOS with package prerequisites and tips.

Read Arch Linux guide

Debian

Debian 12+ with the install script or the native .deb package.

Read Debian guide

openSUSE

Set up offline voice typing on openSUSE Tumbleweed.

Read openSUSE guide

Linux Mint

Voice dictation on Linux Mint releases built on Ubuntu 24.04.

Read Linux Mint guide

Pop!_OS

Install Vocalinux on Pop!_OS 24.04 and later.

Read Pop!_OS guide

NixOS

Use the Nix flake or the NixOS module shipped since v0.18.2.

Read NixOS guide

After installation

Launch with vocalinux.
Hold Right Alt (Option) to dictate, or switch to toggle mode in Settings.
Choose whisper.cpp for speed, Whisper for maximum model compatibility, or VOSK for low-RAM systems.

Need help choosing an engine? See the speech engine comparison.