Choosing the best dictation app for your needs can be a challenge. Not so long ago, I had to choose the best dictation software and was irritated by the amount of poor reviews and conflicting information about potential solutions.
Therefore, I decided to do my own research and the outcome was surprising – few people know where to look for a good dictation app!
Speechnotes (Android)
Speechnotes is a free download on the Google Play Store, with the premium version and other features available as in-app purchases for anywhere from $0.99 to $7.99.
Speechnotes does allow you to use the app offline, but accuracy is a lot better online.
Based on the Google speech-recognition engine, Speechnotes is a straight forward online tool for dictations and speech transcription. Since downloads, registrations or installations are unnecessary to use Speechnotes, so it is by far one of the more accessible dictation tools available on the internet.
Speechnotes is incredibly user-friendly too — it automatically capitalises the beginning of your sentence, AutoSaves your documents, and has the option for you to dictate and type all at the same time. You’re your work is complete; you can manage your documents in a multitude of ways. You can either send it out through email, print and file it, export it to Google Drive, or download the files onto your computer.
Compatibility: Any device with Google Chrome installed and a microphone
Price: Free with an option to donate and upgrade to premium
Download Link: https://speechnotes.co/
Voice Notebook (Android)
The app makes it possible for you to record voice notes and then save them onto your device or on cloud services. You can create a list of replaceable words and punctuation if you have a specific style of speaking.
Voice Texting Pro is a free download on the Apple Store on iOS devices, which allows you to easily convert speech to text on your iPhone or iPad.
You can even use the app to transcribe longer conversations or interviews, and there are several languages available within the app’s settings menu.
Dictation Speech to Text (iOS)
The basic version of the app does have limitations, such as the length of the audio files you can record. If you wish to use the full features of Dictation – Speech to text, you can buy the Dictate Pro – Speech to text app from the same company for $35.99.
Transcribe (iOS)
The app allows you up to 15 minutes of free transcription, and then you have to pay to use the full version to gain further access. The 15 minutes are more than enough time to decide whether the app works for you.
The speech to text app makes it effortless for you to create simple text notes with your voice, record longer conversations, transcribe interviews, and complete similar tasks. You can even backup the data you save to Google Drive to ensure you do not lose any of your audio files.
Voice Notebook is a free download on the Google Play Store that allows you to make in-app purchases for between $2.99 to $8.99. Those purchases would give you access to premium features within the app.
There is an offline mode, but it is only available for specific languages.
Voice Texting Pro (iOS)
With this app, you can speak words, have them automatically converted into text, and then send them to friends and family on iMessage, WhatsApp or other messaging services.
Dictation – Speech to text is available as a free download on the Apple Store on iOS devices. The app offers support for up to 40 dictation languages, 40 translation languages, transcription of recorded audio or spoken words, and easy sync with iCloud on your iPhone or iPad.
Transcribe is a free download on the Apple Store for iOS users and includes support for up to 120+ languages and dialects. You can transcribe from audio files, video files, or directly from speaking when the app is listening on your device.
Users can buy an hour of transcribing time for $4.99 and ten hours for $29.99.
Write SMS By Voice: free dictation app for android
This app also works with other messenger apps aside from your device built-in SMS.
Once you’ve dictated your SMS through voice recording, pick the contact you will like to send it to and off it goes.
There is a dictionary parsing feature which inputs symbols, like a comma, full stop, etc, all you need do is to say it.
You can also enter the receiver’s number by voice.DOWNLOAD
Check out: Best Calender Apps for Android
Otter Voice Meeting Notes: speech to text app android
You can record and take meeting notes in real-time when using this app.
Transcribing of videos, podcasts interviews, lectures, webinars and keynotes are also supported. Deaf people and those with ESL will find this app very helpful. There is a live captioning feature which is useful for people in such cases.
During playback, you can use the word cloud and summary keywords by tapping on a word. It will immediately jump to where it was said.DOWNLOAD
Speech Texter: Google voice typing
This is one of the best and most-used apps. But a setback most users come across is the requirements of the app.
Your Android device must have an OS of 4.4 Kitkat and above. Google’s speech recognition must be enabled as the default speech recognizer. If the speech recognition accuracy is low, you will have to quit using the offline mode and switch to the online mode. The accuracy of the online mode is much better.
Over 60 languages are supported on Speech Texter.
Just Press Record (iOS)
Just Press Record is available to purchase for $4.99 on the Apple Store on iOS devices. You can use the program to record conversations, audio files, videos, and other sources for accurate transcription.
The app supports 30 languages, supports Siri shortcuts, and includes punctuation command recognition. Files are easy to organize within your device or on iCloud, while you can easily share files on social media, as messages to friends, or through email.
One of the advantages of Just Press Record is that you can use the program on an Apple Watch.
Converse Smartly
We included Converse Smartly in this list of the best free speech to text software because of its powerful and robust technology. It can quickly and accurately convert any audio stream to text including dialogue or discourse from team meetings, conferences, interviews and seminars. It enables organisations and individuals to work faster and smarter with greater accuracy.
Created by Folio3, the primary aim behind Converse Smartly is to increase the workflow efficiency of any organisation. The app uses advanced speech recognition technology based on the IBM Watson Speech API and the Natural Language Processing ToolKit and is one of the best text to speech software with natural voices. Top features include:
– Speech Analysis
– Text Analysis
– Summary Generation
– Perform sentiment analysis
– Generate word cloud from input speech and writing
– Identify key entities and themes during speech or conversation
– Live Audio Transcription
– Detect multiple speakers
– Spot keywords
Compatibility: Any device with an internet connection, browser and internet connection
Price: Free trial version
Demo Link: https://www.folio3.ai/converse-smartly-try-now/
2) Microsoft Dictate
Microsoft’s Dictate is here to prove that the even best text to speech software can be free and be just as good as premium software. Created by Microsoft Garage (a division of the company where employees get to work on their ideas as projects), this feature-rich application boasts the same advanced speech recognition technology that powers the Microsoft Cortana Virtual Assistant.
Dictate is essentially a Microsoft Office add-on and works well with Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. You can install it from the Microsoft store if you don’t already have it pre-installed with a copy of Microsoft 365. Once installed, you can access it through the “Dictation” tab that shows up in the top right of the Ribbon toolbar. The app supports voice commands for most standard operations such as typing or editing text, moving the cursor to a new line and adding punctuations either manually or automatically.
Furthermore, the app offers features such as visual feedback to specify that it is processing speech input. Microsoft dictates also supports dictation with real-time translation 60 different languages. Microsoft Dictate is compatible with Office versions 2013 and above and works well with Windows versions 8.1 and above.
Apps Compatibility: Windows devices only
Price: Free
Download Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/profiles/dictate/
3) Google Docs Voice Typing
Google Docs has now become an integral part of the lives of most content writers. Especially if already a google services user. So if you use Google products such as Gmail and Google Drive, and need an in-built, powerful, yet free dictation tool, consider using Google Docs or Google Slides and make use of their Google’s Voice Typing tool. It enables you to type with your voice and make use of over 100 view commands meant explicitly for editing and formatting your documents in any way you like. Including making bullet points, changing the style of the text, and moving the cursor to different parts of the material.
To use Voice Typing through Google Docs, all you have to do is click on the “Tools” button and then select “Voice Typing” then allow Google access to your laptop or PC’s microphone.
Compatibility: Any Google Chrome compatible device
Price: Free
Download Link: https://www.google.com/docs/about/
4) Otter
Otter can be used for taking notes and as a collaboration app that records and transcribes any audio source as long as the speech is coherent. Common data sources include meetings, interview and other voice interactions with data processing in real-time. Created by AISense, Otter uses Ambient Voice Intelligence for some of the smartest and most accurate speech recognition tools out there. Transcriptions are available within minutes so you can share them with your team almost immediately.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Price: Free 600 minutes/month; $9.99 for 6,000 minutes/month
Get it from: https://otter.ai/login
Conclusion
When you are working on a speech, speech, or dictation software for mac windows 10 do you need to have the right app for your needs. I have tried many so far and I am still looking for one that works best for me. It would be time saving and it is also needed when I am doing speech speech so I can dictate them effectively.