How do I use voice dictation in Cursor? What program or plugin allows me to enter text by voice directly into the prompt field?
Voice Dictation Options for Cursor
For voice dictation in Cursor, there are several programs and plugins. The most popular options include WisprFlow, Superwhisper, Willow Voice, and Cursor’s built-in extensions that allow you to enter text by voice directly into the prompt field by pressing hotkeys or using system functions.
Contents
- Main programs for voice input in Cursor
- How to use WisprFlow with Cursor
- Setting up Superwhisper for voice coding
- Willow Voice: local transcription
- Built-in solutions and system settings
- Comparison of the best tools
- Practical usage examples
Main programs for voice input in Cursor
Several specialized programs and plugins are available for voice dictation in Cursor, enabling fast text input directly into the prompt field. Each solution has its own features and advantages:
WisprFlow — one of the most popular tools that allows you to map dictation to a hotkey (such as Fn). Press the key, speak, release the key, and the text magically appears in Cursor’s Composer source.
Superwhisper — works on Mac and iPhone, activates in any text field when holding the fn key, replacing system dictation source. Users note that this eliminates the need to copy-paste generated text into Cursor.
Willow Voice offers reliable local transcription with AI rewriting capabilities according to user-predefined prompts source.
Additionally, there are system solutions like Fn+Fn on Mac or Win+H on Windows, as well as other specialized tools like Usevoicy and Tight for Mac source.
How to use WisprFlow with Cursor
WisprFlow provides “reliable dictation for vibe-coding”. The setup and usage process is very simple:
- Install WisprFlow on your device
- Place your cursor (no pun intended) in any text field in Cursor — in the code editor or AI chat panel
- Press your Flow hotkey
- Start speaking — the text will instantly appear in the desired field
According to the official WisprFlow documentation, this solution offers “deep integration with IDE,” allowing engineers to mark files, navigate code, and run commands by voice. No other dictation tool offers such deep IDE integration.
WisprFlow works on Mac, Windows, and iOS and integrates with Cursor through special extensions, making it an ideal choice for developers source.
Setting up Superwhisper for voice coding
Superwhisper provides powerful offline transcription for macOS and iOS, designed for corporate users. To use with Cursor:
- Install Superwhisper on Mac or iPhone
- Activate it in any text field by holding the fn key
- Speak your prompt or code comment
- Watch as perfectly formatted text appears instantly
As explained in Rollout IT, this shortcut allows you to quickly switch into coding mode when you need to start dictating your code. For example, you can say: “Write code for reading a CSV file in Python,” and the system will execute the command.
Users appreciate Superwhisper for the app’s simplicity but note the need for manual transcript cleanup source. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent choice if you need cross-platform support or prefer a subscription model with continuous updates and support source.
Willow Voice: local transcription
Willow Voice offers a balanced approach to voice input where:
- Voice data processing has a delay of less than 1 second
- Local transcription is provided
- There’s an option for AI rewriting according to user prompts
As users note on Reddit, Willow Voice “out of the box” sets you up for local voice transcription and even local AI rewriting according to your user-predefined prompts. There’s even a pre-configured prompt that will output code.
The creators of Willow Voice note that where Superwhisper requires technical knowledge to configure different models and modes, and Wispr Flow processes everything in the cloud, Willow achieves the perfect balance source.
Built-in solutions and system settings
Cursor also offers built-in solutions for voice input:
Whisper Assistant Extension
There’s a free Whisper Assistant extension for Cursor that uses a local version of Whisper for voice-to-text input. As explained in the official Cursor forum, this extension was created by one of the users specifically for use with Cursor’s GPT-4 code generator.
System Dictation
On Mac, you can use standard system dictation via Fn+Fn, and on Windows via Win+H. As shown in the Volo Builds video, “coding by voice has never been easier.” Simply use the standard dictation software on your computer.
Other specialized tools
- Usevoicy — another option for voice input
- Tight for Mac — designed specifically for developers, automatically adds code that you highlight
- VoiceInk — mentioned as an excellent alternative with a very active developer open to feedback
Comparison of the best tools
| Tool | Platforms | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| WisprFlow | Mac, Windows, iOS | Deep IDE integration, cloud, Cursor extensions | Free (2000 words/week), $15/month |
| Superwhisper | Mac, iOS | Offline transcription, replaces system dictation | Subscription |
| Willow Voice | Mac, Windows | Local transcription, AI rewriting | Subscription |
| System Dictation | Mac, Windows | Free, built-in | Free |
WisprFlow offers the simplest setup process and requires no technical knowledge. Superwhisper is ideal for those who prefer offline processing. Willow Voice provides the optimal balance between speed and local processing source.
WisprFlow has a generous free tier allowing up to 2000 words per week. For more words, a subscription costing $15 per month is required source.
Practical usage examples
Example 1: Voice input for AI prompts
With WisprFlow or Superwhisper, you can:
- Go to the AI chat panel in Cursor
- Press the dictation hotkey
- Say: “Refactor this code to use async/await”
- Instantly get text in the input field
Example 2: Creating code by voice
As shown by Sanity in their video, you can create full web applications by voice:
- “Create a React component to display a list of users”
- “Add CSS styles for this component”
- “Implement the filtering function”
Example 3: Code navigation
WisprFlow extensions for Cursor allow you to:
- “Open app.ts file”
- “Go to line 12”
- “Find all functions that use fetch”
These voice commands significantly speed up development, especially when you need to quickly navigate through large code projects source.
Sources
- Code Faster in Cursor: A Pragmatic Guide to Voice Prompting - DEV Community
- Vibe Coding: Cursor + Voice | Wispr Flow
- Best Speech to Text for Cursor AI Editor 2025 - Willow Voice
- Voice input for Cursor? : Cursor Discussion Forums | Product Hunt
- Code Without Typing: Integration between Cursor AI and Superwhisper - Rollout IT
- Voice Mode in Cursor 2.0: Hands-Free Coding Tutorial - skywork ai
- r/cursor on Reddit: Karpathy completely changed the way I use Cursor
- r/cursor on Reddit: Voice in Cursor would be amazing
- Whisper Assistant Extension (Voice to text) - Discussions - Cursor - Community Forum
- Super Whisper vs Wispr Flow: Mac Dictation Comparison 2025 - Willow Voice
- Flow vs superwhisper Dictation: Which Tool Works Best for You - Wispr Flow
- The best voice dictation apps of 2025 - Wispr Flow
- Superwhisper Alternatives You Should be Using in 2025 | by Prakash Joshi Pax | Medium
Conclusion
Voice dictation in Cursor opens up new possibilities for fast and efficient development. The choice of the right tool depends on your preferences: WisprFlow offers simplicity and deep integration, Superwhisper ensures offline processing, and Willow Voice achieves the optimal balance between speed and local computing.
To start, try system dictation (Fn+Fn on Mac or Win+H on Windows) — it’s free and built into the operating system. If you need more features, install WisprFlow or Superwhisper through their official websites. Also don’t forget to check out the built-in Whisper Assistant extension in Cursor.
Experiment with voice commands for code navigation, function creation, and writing comments — this will significantly speed up your work and make the development process more natural.