Bonfire Terminal vs @afsalk/use-speech-recognition
@afsalk/use-speech-recognition is a free, open-source, on-device speech library built on the browser Web Speech API, running in the browser with partial offline support and a solid 67 sovereign score. Bonfire Terminal delivers local Whisper speech inside a full on-device agent, with messaging bridges and BYO-key models, sold once as a perpetual license.
Bonfire Terminal vs @afsalk/use-speech-recognition: the 16-factor comparison
| Rating factor | @afsalk/use-speech-recognition | Bonfire Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Voice AI / Speech | AI Terminal / Local Agent |
| Popularity | Not disclosed | Growing · indie |
| Hosting architecture | On-Device Local | On-Device Local |
| Licensing model | Open Source | One-Time Perpetual |
| Data / training policy | Browser-based no server storage | Fully local — nothing leaves device |
| Offline capability | Partial | Yes |
| Pricing tier range | Free (OSS) | One-time license |
| Execution unit cost | Unlimited Local Compute | Unlimited Local Compute |
| API-key markup | N/A | No — BYO key at cost |
| Supported LLM providers | Not disclosed | OpenAI; Anthropic; Google; Local; Any |
| Auth / permission types | Local/None | API Key; Local/None |
| Phone / messaging bridges | None | Telegram; WhatsApp |
| Speech recognition engine | Browser Web Speech API | Whisper (local) |
| Local media processing | No | Yes |
| Sovereign score | 67 / 100 | 93 / 100 |
The sovereignty gap
Where @afsalk/use-speech-recognition lands on each weighted pillar (its bar) — the red marker is Bonfire's score. Auto-derived from the 16 factors above.
Which should you choose?
Choose @afsalk/use-speech-recognition if…
Choose @afsalk/use-speech-recognition if you are a developer who wants a free open-source hook to add browser speech recognition to a web app.
Choose Bonfire Terminal if…
Choose Bonfire Terminal if you want local Whisper speech inside a complete on-device agent with bridges and BYO-key models, no coding needed.
Bonfire Terminal vs @afsalk/use-speech-recognition: FAQ
Is @afsalk/use-speech-recognition private?
It runs in the browser with no server storage, so it is fairly private, though the Web Speech API may route audio through the browser vendor's cloud engine depending on the platform. Bonfire Terminal runs Whisper fully on-device, so audio never leaves your machine.
Is Bonfire Terminal cheaper than @afsalk/use-speech-recognition?
@afsalk/use-speech-recognition is free and open source, so nothing beats it on price for developers. Bonfire Terminal charges a one-time license but delivers a complete on-device product with local Whisper, not just a speech hook you must build into an app.
Can Bonfire Terminal replace @afsalk/use-speech-recognition?
For end users, yes; for developers, only partly. @afsalk/use-speech-recognition is a code library for adding speech to a web app. Bonfire Terminal provides local speech recognition as a finished feature but is not a drop-in React hook.
What can Bonfire Terminal do that @afsalk/use-speech-recognition can't?
Bonfire Terminal is a full on-device agent with local Whisper, local media processing, Telegram and WhatsApp bridges, and BYO-key LLM access. @afsalk/use-speech-recognition only exposes browser speech recognition, with no agent, bridges, or model access.
How do I switch from @afsalk/use-speech-recognition to Bonfire Terminal?
If you needed speech-to-text for a workflow rather than to embed in a web app, install Bonfire Terminal and use its local Whisper engine directly. You skip writing and maintaining any browser speech code.
Does Bonfire Terminal work offline vs @afsalk/use-speech-recognition?
@afsalk/use-speech-recognition offers only partial offline support through the browser Web Speech API. Bonfire Terminal runs Whisper on-device, so transcription works fully offline, a more reliable option away from a connection.