Supported hardware

This page lists the types of steno hardware (writers/machines/keyboards) that are compatible with Plover. It also doubles as the community's most referenced page for purchase recommendations.

Currently, Plover supports:

• Commercially available hobbyist writers
• Professional stenotype machines
• Standard keyboards
• Video game controllers (requires a plugin)
• DIY steno writers

Community Recommendation

For the average hobbyist stenographer, it is recommended to purchase one of the commercially available hobbyist writers. All of the listed writers are perfectly adequate! Choose one that's in stock and within your budget. If you need to use steno on a device where you cannot download Plover, consider a keyboard which supports Javelin.

If you are not yet sure about making a financial commitment to stenography, start out by using a standard keyboard with Plover to understand if you would like to invest.

The advantages of a dedicated steno board include overcoming most standard keyboards' key rollover limitations, ergonomics, and speed.

Commercially available hobbyist writers

See also: Choosing a hobbyist steno writer

Product Name	Manufacturer	About	Stock Switches	Javelin?(embedded steno)	Price (USD)
TinyMod	Charley Shattuck	Open source hardware. A smaller, nonsplit version of the Stenomod that omits the number bar in order to reduce costs and size. The center vowel key is used as a number bar replacement. See Mirabai’s review. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Gateron Clear 35g	No	$140 (stock) $180 (silent)
Ecosteno International site	Nolltronics	A machine whose mission is to be the best value option on the market. It has low-profile Kailh Choc switches with 20g actuation force. It features USB-C connectivity and an aluminum backplate with a solid tripod mount. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Kailh Choc 20g (Pink, Ambients Silent Nocturnal)	Yes (2.1.2 Version only)	$95 (Pink) $110 (Silent)
Multisteno International site		The premium version of the Ecosteno, the Multisteno features 42 Kailh Choc (Pro Pink) switches with 20g actuation force, USB-C connectivity, an aluminum backplate, and a solid tripod mount. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Kailh Choc Pink 20g	Yes (2.1.2 Version only)	$170
Asterisk	StenoKeyboards	A split, unibody steno keyboard with touch capacitive sensors (Adjustable sensitivity). Traditional steno machine layout with top number bar. Stock status (February 2026): Out of stock (still pre-orderable)	N/A	Yes	$50
The Uni		A split, unibody steno keyboard that comes pre-assembled with Gateron Clears (35g). Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Gateron Clear 35g	Yes	$100
Polyglot		A steno keyboard made for both steno and Qwerty. Has QMK. More switches enable normal typing in Qwerty mode or extended steno layout. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Gateron Clear 35g	Yes	$125
Starboard	Stenography Store	An ergonomic steno keyboard with hot-swappable Kailh Choc pink key-switches and can be screwed onto a tripod. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Kailh Choc Pink 20g	Yes	$90
Jarne	Chenonetta Creations	A wireless, ergonomic, split steno keyboard with per-key and underglow RGB, Kailh Choc hotswap sockets, screens, inbuilt security key and 64MB of storage for large dictionaries. Wireless charging, tenting, and tripod mount options are available as extras. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Kailh Choc 20g (Pink, Ambients Silent Nocturnal)	Yes	$270-$390
Stenoob Pro 3	Stenoob	Focused on being true-to-size to the keyboard found on professional stenotype machines, the original Stenoob was simply a tactile, non-electronic practice tool. The Stenoob Pro 3 includes actual functionality and connects to Plover. Stock status (February 2026): In stock	Gateron Red 45g	No	$150

To set up one of these with Plover, see setting up a hobbyist writer with Plover.

See also: out of production writers.

Stenotype machines

Supported protocols

Plover supports several protocols that are in use by various machines:

• Stentura serial: most machines by Stenograph and many others.
• Gemini PR serial: typically any recent machine made by the Neutrino Group, such as the Piper, Revolution, or Infinity series. Supported by Eclipse, DigitalCAT.
• ProCAT: protocol used by all ProCAT machines.
• TX Bolt: an older protocol supported by some machines as a primary or secondary protocol. Supported by CaseCAT.
• Treal: used only by the Treal from Word Technologies.
• Passport: used only by the Passport Writer from Advantage Software.

This means that, in theory, many machines work with Plover.

Known supported stenotypes

The following machines have been confirmed by users to work with Plover after actually trying it. If you have successfully used a machine with Plover that is not on this list, please add it. For guidance on setup with Plover, read about setting up your writer with Plover.

Product Name	Manufacturer	Protocol/Connection	Comments
Elan Cybra Student	Stenograph	Stenograph USB OR TX Bolt (serial)
Elan Mira	Stenograph	Stenograph USB
Flash, Blaze, Impression, and Xpression	ProCAT	ProCAT (serial, maybe)	(For Blaze and other Windows CE-based writers) USB cannot be used with Plover, it is only to transfer files created on the Blaze to your PC or CAT software. USB does not work on Windows 10, only Windows XP (with ActiveSync), and Windows Vista/7/8 with WMDC.exe (Windows Mobile Device Center). Both are abandonware. You need an RJ11 (male) to DB9 (female) to use this writer.
Flash Writer	ProCAT	TX Bolt	Press Mode (far right button), click Setup, then press the Emul button. Display should read Emulate: Baron
Gemini2	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Gemini RT	Neutrino Group	TX Bolt	Must start a job on screen or in Infinity2
Lightspeed	Stenovations	TX Bolt (serial over USB/Bluetooth)	Baud rate 9600
Lightspeed Touch	Stenovations	Gemini PR, TX Bolt (USB only)	Must use provided “Lightspeed Zenith” software, not the “Lightspeed” software from the Stenovations website. Protocol can be changed depending on the “Writer Mode” setting in options. Choose “Model II and Model III” at startup.
Infinity Ergonomic	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial over USB/Bluetooth)	Baud rate 115200
Infinity Genesis	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Passport	Advantage Software	Passport (USB)
Passport Touch	Advantage Software	USB, Bluetooth	While in “Emulation Mode”: Stentura over Bluetooth or TX Bolt over USB 
Revolution Grand	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Stentura 400 SRT	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)	Setup Instructions
Stentura 200 SRT	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)
Stentura 500	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)
Stentura 8000 and 8000LX	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)
Stentura Protégé	Stenograph	Stentura (serial) OR Stenograph USB	Works with the plover-stenograph plugin for USB. For Stentura serial: connect Serial-to-USB cable to serial port of Protégé. Setup Instructions for Serial
Tréal	Word technologies	Treal (USB)
Wave	Stenograph	Stentura (serial) OR Stenograph USB	Requires Stenograph drivers to do serial on Windows. All platforms can use the plover-stenograph plugin. Make sure “serial protocol” on the Wave is set to “Stentura”.
Luminex II	Stenograph	Stenograph USB OR Stenograph Wi-Fi	All platforms can use the plover-stenograph plugin for USB or Wi-Fi. Make sure the machine is connected to the same local network to use Wi-Fi.

Standard keyboards

See also: Using a standard keyboard with Plover

If you cannot purchase a steno keyboard, you can also use a standard computer keyboard.

Video game controllers

See also: Video game controllers

DIY steno writers

See also: DIY steno writers