Voice dictation software can really be a help if you’re trying to multitask, but are limited on time. A good speech-to-text software can capture what you are saying or writing, so you can listen or read your words at a later date.
Getting the best software is an important factor. Allow me to introduce you to best tools out there. These are the top ten programs for dictation.
BEST FOR IOSBuilt-In Voice Dictation
Millions of people around the globe use Apple’s iPhones and iPads for their productivity needs. If that includes you, you don’t need to look for any third-party dictation app, as iOS already has one, and the voice typing features are constantly being improved.
What’s best is that iOS’s voice typing feature is integrated directly into the on-screen keyboard, so it’s always available. All iOS apps that support text input through the on-screen keyboard support voice typing as well. This means that you can use your voice to write e-mails, create notes, reply to text messages, and more.
Simply tap on the microphone key on the keyboard, and start speaking. You can also speak keywords like “Period” and “New Paragraph” for a better dictation experience.
BEST FOR ANDROIDGboard Voice Typing
Android is all about choices, so if you use an Android smartphone or tablet for all your typing needs, there are a lot of dictation apps that you can choose from. Of these, Google’s Gboard is certainly the best.
Gboard is an on-screen keyboard app developed by Google. It has many features such as text prediction, GIF support, and of course, voice typing. To get started, you just need to have Gboard selected as the default keyboard app (you can change this under “Language & Input” in Android’s settings) and have the voice typing option enabled.
Once that’s done, things get pretty straightforward. Launch the app where you want to enter text, tap the microphone key on Gboard, and start speaking.
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
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.
Recommended reading =>> Best Free Typing Tutor Software
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
Speech Recogniser (iOS)
You can use Speech Recogniser to dictate and translate text into more than 26 languages. You can use it to post directly to Facebook or Twitter, copy the text you have transcribed to other apps, and text via email. It’s a quick way to jot down your notes and translate them into another language when you need to. Price: free.
Looking for a tool to upload for transcription?
Transcription always at hand – remove hassle by using this app for transcription provided by human transcribers for 99%+ accuracy.
ListNote (Android)
ListNote is a popular speech recognition app. Voice dictation and notepad functionality are combined, using your phone’s built-in Google Voice Search to turn voice to text while recording the audio simultaneously. Each recording is saved as a searchable note that you can later organise with colour coding. You can then share the notes using email, text and to any other supported app you have installed. There are features such as ‘time to breathe’, which allows you to choose how long to wait before you stop speech input. Encryption options are also available. Price: free.
Dragon by Nuance (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows)
You can do most of the job with this app without putting your fingers on a keyboard. It uses Deep Learning technology that adapts to your specific voice, jargon and work environment, in order to create accurate documents. With this app, you can do hands-free work without leaving your favourite programs. Price: £349.99.
Gboard (Android, iOS)
Google’s keyboard offering has been continually improved since it was released in 2016. Gboard allows you to dictate by pressing and holding the spacebar. It will transcribe everything you say in real time with no time limit, but you do need a connection to the internet. It is fast but the downside is that it will cut you off if you take too long of a pause, which forces the speaker to rush through text. However, its versatility across iOS and Android, and the fact that it’s free, makes it worth considering. Price: free.
Google Docs Voice Typing (Web)
Many people are now opting to use Google Docs as an alternative to other word processors due to its ease of use and sharing capabilities. It also lets you type with your voice on Google Docs, making this a great option if you’re on a budget. Google Docs also allows you to use more than 100 voice commands to edit and format your document. Price: free.
Windows 10 Speech Recognition (Windows)
If you’re a Windows user and don’t want to have to download or buy any additional software to dictate, Windows also has built-in dictation software. You are able to use this to dictate and control text on any browser, program or web application. Again, this is great if you don’t want to shell out any money on this, and it’s incredibly convenient for Windows users. Price: free.
Apple Dictation (iOS, macOS)
Similarly, if you’re an Apple user, Apple Dictation can be found on both iOS and macOS so there’s no need to download any additional apps. Apple Dictation uses Siri’s servers to dictate up to 30 seconds of speech at a time if you are connected to the internet. This isn’t ideal for longer form content but it’s enough to conveniently getting your thoughts down on paper. Price: free.
Transcribe
Transcribe is a light and simple platform. It’s great for simple dictation and transcription. There is no download necessary, but it also works without an internet connection.
Transcribe is more for transcribing video and audio files into text. But the platform has voice typing tools too. It can recognize many different languages. Some of these include most Asian and European languages. Transcribe also lets you define acronyms for your most common phrases.
Transcribe is priced at $20 per year.
Transcribe is best for:
- One-person business
- Startups
- Small businesses
- Transcription
- Voice typing
Website: Transcribe
e-Speaking
e-Speaking aims to be one of the simplest speech recognition tools out there. It’s a cheap and simple download. It runs on various versions of Windows.
e-Speaking uses Microsoft’s Speech Application Program Interface. It can do basic dictation with decent accuracy. But not as great as apps like Dragon. e-Speaking can read texts from your computer out loud. For dictation, there are about 26 voice commands. These are for editing and navigating your text. You can teach e-Speaking new commands and train the app on new words.
e-Speaking is free for the first 30 days. After that it’s a very low price of $14.
e-Speaking is best for:
- One-person business
- Startups
- Small businesses
- Dictation
- Text to speech
- Ease of use
Website: e-Speaking
Speechmatics
Speechmatics is a speech recognition software company out of the UK. It’s a highly professional platform with many voice technology features. For Speechmatics prices, you have to request a quote from the vendor.
The speech to text dictation of Speechmatics is very accurate. It recognizes over 30 different languages. There’s advanced punctuation help, and custom dictionaries. Speechmatics can also identify and label different speakers. Aside from dictation, Speechmatics offers a lot of voice control tools. It can control apps and devices with voice commands.
Speechmatics is best for:
- Startups
- Small businesses
- Large businesses
- Voice commands
- Transcription
Website: Speechmatics
Conclusion
Dictation software allows you to dictate directly into Microsoft Word, Outlook, Wordpad, Acrobat, etc. while sitting in front of your PC microphone. Dictation software helps you to reduce proofreading errors by several times and is used either by people like lawyers and proofreaders who need high accuracy or for disabled people who can’t use the keyboard.