Alternative to NVDA
A voice-first companion to NVDA — built around blind-user workflows.
NVDA reads your screen. Darvy uses it. Keep NVDA for what it's great at; add Darvy for everything that's faster by voice.
Why a voice agent, not another screen reader
Screen readers describe the interface so you can navigate it with the keyboard. That works — and after years of practice it can be fast. But the cognitive cost of memorizing app-specific shortcuts and waiting through linear announcements adds up. For multi-step tasks, an AI agent that just does the work is dramatically faster.
Darvy isn't trying to replace the precise control NVDA gives you. It's a second mode: when you'd rather speak the goal and let software handle the steps, Darvy is the tool. When you need fine-grained NVDA control, NVDA stays.
NVDA + Darvy, side by side
| Task | NVDA alone | Darvy |
|---|---|---|
| Check unread email | Open Gmail / Outlook → Insert+Down through messages → manually summarize headers | "Check my email" → Darvy reads back the top 3 unread with sender and one-line summary |
| Reply to a specific message | Navigate to message → Tab to reply → compose → screen-read your own draft to confirm | "Reply to the one from Sarah saying I'll be there at 4" → Darvy drafts, reads it back, sends on confirm |
| Write into a Google Doc | Switch to Docs → place cursor → type → confirm with the screen reader | "Create a doc called Project Plan with these three sections..." → Darvy creates it and writes the content |
| Get the gist of a webpage | Insert+F7 → arrow through landmarks → headings list → maybe miss the main content | "Summarize this page" → Darvy pulls the article body and reads a short summary |
| System control (volume, brightness, wifi) | Settings app → tab through panels → reach the toggle | "Volume to 30 percent" → done |
| Read a PDF you just downloaded | Open the PDF → hope it's tagged → manually navigate | "Read me the PDF I just downloaded" → Darvy finds it and reads it back |
Designed to coexist with NVDA
- Darvy and NVDA run at the same time. They don't fight for focus.
- Darvy speaks through its own voice (ElevenLabs) so it's instantly distinguishable from NVDA's voice.
- The push-to-talk key is Alt by default. NVDA's Insert/CapsLock keys are untouched.
- Darvy uses its own Chrome profile — your NVDA-tuned browser state stays clean.
Where NVDA is still better
Darvy is honest about the tradeoffs. Use NVDA when:
- You're navigating a complex app (developer tools, accounting software) where you need exact control over what's focused.
- You're proofreading character-by-character — line-by-line spelling review is what screen readers do best.
- You're somewhere a voice assistant isn't appropriate (a meeting, a library, on public transit).
- You're offline — Darvy needs an internet connection; NVDA doesn't.
The best workflow for most blind users is both: NVDA running quietly for line-level control, Darvy for everything that's faster spoken.
Built around daily blind-user workflows
Darvy focuses on routine multi-step computer tasks that can become slow or cognitively expensive with keyboard navigation alone. The product direction is shaped by direct blind-user testing, fast feedback loops, and clear boundaries about when NVDA should remain the primary tool.
Try Darvy alongside your NVDA setup
Keep NVDA running and try Darvy on the same task during the card-free 72-hour trial. Use the coexistence guide and five-scenario evaluation guide to compare the result. No credit card is required to start. Darvy is $98/month for two computers if it earns a place in your workflow.