To write speeches, stories, novels and poetry, writers rely on dictation software. It helps you perform word to text translation easily. Nowadays text to speech software programs are available for both pc and mac platform.
This article will help you choose the right dictation software for your windows and mac computer.
Temi
Temi is a tool used for speech to text transcription, and is a highly advanced version of speech recognition software. It works when you upload any kind of file, be it audio or video, and it transcribes it in under five minutes. Eventually, the files can be stored in MS Word or PDF formats that especially belong to Windows, and can even be emailed.
This transcription tool gives ease of use to its users, who are effortlessly able to adjust the sound, speed of playback, skip any part if need be, and add timestamps too.
However, the quality of the transcription depends on the sound quality of the uploaded file, and the better the sound quality, the more accurate the results. Additionally, if files are too large, it may take a lot of time to transcribe, and crosses the five minute set benchmark. It also has a little difficulty understanding multiple different accents.
A unique point of Temi is that it has been built by speech recognition experts who are also masters of machine learning. There is a little cost attached if there is need of the whole software, though, multiple shorter trial versions are available for free. Journalists, bloggers and podcasters or authors can best use this tool for their field of work.
Microsoft Bing Speech API
This Microsoft API is used for transcription purposes of the speech into text of any kind of audio streams that are fed to it. What this application does it, that it either displays whatever the transcribed text is, or it can follow and act upon the command given in the speech. It is best used in scenarios requiring conversion, dictation or an interactive participation, and gives great recognition results.
There are two important features to it: the REST APIs, where developers can use calls, HTTP format and use the service. Or else, there are Client Libraries also available for downloading, that belong to various platforms such as Windows, iOS, Android, etc. for any kind of integration.
It has great accuracy, is highly easy to use, and not very expensive, with a free trial version also available to check it before making a minimal purchase. One of its major advantages is that it supports multiple languages, for example, about 5 languages in conversation mode and 15 languages when it comes into dictation mode, so multilingual transcription is also possible.
Though, it gives the most accurate results when used in a continuous and real-time form, and may be slower in transcribing than other software.
Kaldi
Kaldi is a free speech-to-text software for Windows and Linux operating systems and available under the Apache License. The software was developed at John Hopkins University and was meant to offer super high-quality speech recognition solutions for multiple languages and domains.
It’s one of the few speech recognition software that is fully supported by leading technologies including deep neural networks and others. Kaldi comes with full support for general linear algebra, as well as, offers an extensible design for features-space discriminative training.
The code of the software was released back in 2014 and since then the platform is known for its intuitive interface and highest-quality standard for speech to text conversion.
Simon
Simon is a technologically advanced and highly flexible speech recognition software, available for Windows and Linux free of cost. The software offers high-level customization for all applications, thus can be used with all systems wherever speech recognition is required. What’s even better is that Simon isn’t bounded by any language, and can work with high accuracy with all major dialects. The software essentially brings in the automation to replace the mouse and keyboard.
The technology behind Simon includes KDE libraries, along with HTK, and CMU SPHINX. The software is available open-source and free of cost for Windows and Linux operating systems. Apart from being a speech recognition software, Simon also allows controlling computers through voice commands. The software is equally suited for disabled people. The strong architecture behind Simon means it can easily be used with all languages and dialects. Simon can be used to control various software and applications including media centers, emails, web browsers, etc.
Verbit
Verbit brings advanced transcription and captioning features using artificial intelligence (AI). The software specifically is meant to help enterprises, and educational institutes in faster, and precise speech-to-text conversion.
The software leverage multiple speech models including neural network models, and AI algorithms to suppress the background noise and improve the accuracy of the transcription by understanding the speakers regardless of accent. The AI algorithms also enable software to identify and incorporate contextual events from the speech.
Overall, Verbit is an ideal solution for transcription services, even though the software does offer direct speech-to-text service.
Braina
Best for dictating text using the human language interface on any website or software.
Braina is a popular speech recognition software that allows dictation in over 90 languages with high accuracy. You can control apps and transcribe text on any application and website using the dictation software.
Features:
- Dictation software
- 99 percent accuracy
- AI-based voice recognition
- Personal virtual assistant
- Compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android devices
Verdict: Braina is by far the best dictation software available due to the precise voice recognition and AI-based learning. The price of the lifetime version is also affordable for not just large organizations, but individuals as well.
Price: Braina dictation software is available in three versions. The free version has basic features such as voice commands in English, text to speech, play search voice and videos, and search online information.
Braina Pro costs $49 per year and comes with additional features such as dictate to any software of a website in 90 languages, custom voice commands, voice music player control, AI-based voice recognition, teaching custom replies, and mathematics function. Braina Pro has all the features of the Pro, but you can purchase a lifetime license.
Website: Braina
#2) Google Docs Voice Typing
Best for transcribing text for free on Google Docs online.
Google Docs had added a dictation feature a few years back in the free Google Docs online application. The dictation feature is currently available only if you use the online app in the Chrome browser. It allows you to transcribe text on Google docs and save the document on Google Cloud.
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Features:
- Voice dictation
- Google Cloud integration
- Supports PC and Mac devices
Verdict: Google Docs is a simple voice typing feature that is great for people who want to use voice commands to type text. The feature is also available in Google Slide allowing you to enter text in slides using your voice.
Price: Free.
Website: Google Docs Voice Typing
#3) Apple Dictation
Best for transcribing text for free on Apple devices.
Apple’s dictation feature allows you to dictate messages and documents on your Mac devices. You can use this feature with applications where you can type including word processor, social media sites, presentation applications, and others.
Features:
- Keyboard dictation
- Share audio recordings
- Multi-language support
Verdict: The Apple dictation feature is similar to Windows speech recognition. Mac users can use the feature for using voice commands to transcribe text on any application and website.
Price: Free
Website: Apple Dictation
#4) Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions
Best for students, legal, health care, and other professionals to transcribe text and share documents with high encryption.
Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions is a dictation application owned by Nuance. The software also supports cloud document management. It has AI-based speech recognition that learns the voice with greater accuracy over time.
Features:
- AI-powered speech recognition
- Cloud document management
- Control computer
- Accuracy of 99 percent
- 256-bit document encryption
Verdict: Dragon Speech Recognition software is great for legal professionals and students. The price may be a bit high, but it is worth it for professionals due to high accuracy and cloud document management feature.
Price: Price varies for professionals and students. Dragon Home is for students that have a onetime fee of $155. Professional firms are charged a yearly subscription which starts at $116 per user, per year. A free trial is available for 7 days that allows you to test the functionality of the software.
Website: Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions
#5) Winscribe
Best for legal, health care, law enforcement, education, and other professionals to dictate text on Android and iPhone devices.
Winscribe is a dictation software company based in New Zealand. This dictation software is owned by Nuance, which allows you to transcribe and review documents on your smartphone. It also provides documentation workflow management to organize dictated text. It is available in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
Features:
- Dictation
- Supports Android, iPhone, PC, and Blackberry devices
- Document management
- Data encryption
- Reporting
Verdict: Winscribe is a speech recognition and document management application for professionals. Using the software allows the staff to be more productive. The price is affordable for medium and large corporations.
Price: Winscribe transcription service costs start at about $284 per user per year (or $24 per user, per month) for one to nine users. Discounts are available for larger workforce. A free trial is also available to test the features of the software.
Website: Winscribe
Conclusion
I was floored when I got this transcribing software. It is hysterical! I’m surprised by the accuracy of it – I actually found myself laughing at some of what was written down! It’s great for writing notes while your hands are busy, like when you’re cooking or driving. If I had to pick one negative thing about this product, I’d say that sometimes it can get unresponsive. Maybe that’s just my computer. Also, the voice recognition could be a little better – sometimes words aren’t recognized correctly.