I remember the time before smartphones and software for making text from speech. You had to spend several hundred dollars and buy expensive dictaphones and then connect it to your computer. There were even times when you needed to use a microphone and some other serious gear.
If you’re wanting to dictate your article, then you need a good speech to text tool. In this post I will point out the features that I think are important, and what the best free speech to text software.
SpeechTexter
SpeechTexter is a speech-to-text Android app that works both online and offline. The app uses Google’s database, so if you want to use the offline mode, you’ll need to download the necessary language packs.
You can do so by heading to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard. Once there, tap on Google voice typing and select Offline speech recognition. To choose the languages to download, tap the All tab and select the language you want.
In addition to basic dictation and speech-to-text, you can use SpeechTexter to create SMS messages, emails, and tweets. The app also boasts a custom dictionary; adding personal information such as phone numbers and addresses is easy.
Download: SpeechTexter (Free)
Best for Enterprises: Dragon Professional Group
Even though documentation is a crucial part of any organization’s day-to-day workflow, it usually takes up a lot of valuable time and resources. However, it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to Dragon Professional Group. The best speech to text software for enterprises allows employees to create documentation 3x faster (compared to typing) and 99% recognition accuracy. This is made possible by the program’s next-generation speech engine, which uses “Deep Learning” technology to achieve high recognition accuracy while dictating, even for users with accents or those working in open office spaces.
Dragon Professional Group also makes it simple to automate repetitive tasks and streamline multi-step processes. You can configure custom voice commands for quickly inserting frequently-used items (e.g. signatures) into documents, create time-saving macros, and even add industry-specific terms to the software’s vocabulary, which can then be shared with other employees.
The program also comes with “Nuance Management Center,” a centralized user administration console that allows for easy management of everything from user profiles to custom command databases.
Speech notes: Dictation application for android
This is a dictation notepad with voice recognition which converts your speech to text.
Unlike most speech to text apps, speech notes do not stop its voice recognition even when you take a break to breathe or think.
There is a built-in keyboard which lets you easily input punctuation or symbols when needed.
You can access this app offline, but for better performance, it’s best to use the online mode.DOWNLOAD
Voice Notes
Speechnotes is geared towards lengthy dictations, such as lectures or essays. Voice Notes takes the opposite approach—it specializes in taking quick notes on-the-fly.
The app offers two main ways of recording your notes. You can either use the speech-to-text feature to see a transcribed version of your notes on the screen, or you can save the audio file and listen to it later.
Additionally, Voice Notes has a reminder feature. This lets you set a time for the nudge, along with the type of alert you want to receive. You can even create recurring reminders.
Finally, the app offers powerful organizational tools. They include customizable categories, colored tags, and the ability to import and export your notes.
Download: Voice Notes (Free, in-app purchases available)
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.
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.
Voice Typing: Speechnotes app
This app isn’t very user-friendly, and they could have done better with the interface. But still, it deserves a mention because of its functionality. Unlike similar apps out there, this actually does whatever you input.
Over 70+ languages are supported. You can also input audio and it would be converted to text.
You can share your note using Twitter, Google Hangout, Viber, SMS, Gmail, Whatsapp, Skype and so on.
Voice Notebook
Just like Speech Texter, this app also requires Google voice input for it to function well. For improved speech recognition it is also desirable you have an Internet connection. You will need to install a language pack for local voice recognition, so if the internet connection is lost, the app won’t give an error.
There are live words and characters counter which suggests suitable words to use. And it’s a convenient app for bilingual voice input.
Switching to the premium version of this app removes ads.
e-Dictate
This app is suitable for long notes.
The voice recognition feature is also very sharp. It will keep on listening to your voice even when you take long breaks between sentences.
There is a built-in keyboard you can use for punctuation or adding of characters.
Editing texts in dictation mode is also supported.
Speech to Text - Voice notes Voice Typing
This app is relatively new and requires no in-app purchases unlike most of the apps on this list. Besides, this app promptly catches voice recordings and converts it to text.
Text to speech is also supported.
You can record in any language and your desired text will be presented to you. Several social media platforms are supported, so you can easily share your notes.
Live Transcribe: best speech to text android
This app transcripts speeches and sounds to text in real-time. Though it was designed for the deaf and hard of hearing, basically anyone can use it.
You can transcribe in over 70 languages, and quickly switch between languages while transcribing. When someone starts or resumes speaking, the app gives optional haptic feedback signals.
Live Transcribe was made in collaboration with Gallaudet University, the premier deaf and hard of hearing university in the US.
Write SMS By Voice
This is a very functional voice SMS writer app. It turns you recorded voice message into text and makes it ready for you to send off to any number on your contacts list.
Write SMS By Voice has a high-quality voice recognition utility. People who are visually impaired can also find this app very useful; because all they have to do is speak into the microphone.
It doesn’t consume much power, plus it requires no internet connection, and there are no in-app purchases.
English Spanish voice translator
This app is a very useful language translator app. You can translate from Spanish to English or from English to Spanish, and your result will be in textual form.
This app can also serve as a learning platform. You can use to learn the difficult words in these languages. Moreover, this app doesn’t just translate words, sentences and paragraphs are also translated.
You need to have good internet connectivity because this app makes use of online translation API.
Voice Typing in All Language
This app is relatively new, and its interface is quite user-friendly. There are over 50 languages you can make use of.
When writing long texts or articles, this app can be a time saver.
Moreover, you can either copy and paste it on any social media/messaging app, or use the supported social media platforms already fitted into the app.
Best for Android: Gboard Voice Typing
Of the many keyboard apps available for Android, Gboard is arguably the most popular. Google’s keyboard comes with a lot of nifty features, such as glide typing and one-handed mode. But apart from these, it also includes reliable speech recognition capabilities. You can use your voice for everything from writing e-mails to responding to text messages, as Gboard’s Voice Typing works with any Android app that accepts text input. To use the feature, all you have to do is tap the microphone icon (located at the right side of Gboard’s suggestion strip) and start dictating when “Speak now” is displayed.
Any errors in the transcribed text can be manually corrected. You can also use Gboard’s Voice Typing functionality to replace words in any document or message. For this, select the target word, and tap the microphone icon. Once “Speak now” is displayed, say the new word to replace the existing term. Gboard supports voice dictation in multiple languages and can be used offline as well.
Conclusion
There are several kinds of dictation software apps. They can be accessed through your computer or even your smartphone. This article will help you choose the right one for you match your voice recognition needs.