There are a lot of software available for this task, actually it is a bit overwhelming. But does it really matter? Should you choose the best software to do a simple task? Why not use a free option instead?
In this article, I will review great dictation softwares and will present my views on them. Also, I will give you tips on where to find other similar programs.
Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is one of the best free speech to text software that comes built-in with most Apple devices. It uses Siri’s servers to process up to 30 seconds of speech at a time (remember to connect to the internet). Apple Dictate is the ideal option for quickly getting your thoughts down on paper. Still, if you want to create content with longer for your voice and you’ve upgraded your Mac’s operating system to version 10.9 or later, then the better option would be Enhanced Dictation.
Furthermore, Apple Dictate helps you transcribe speech to text without an internet connection and is especially handy when faced with time constraints. With more than 70 voice commands, you can effectively control all your Mac’s actions, including typing, editing, and formatting for any document.
Compatibility: Mac
Price: Free
Get it from the Mac device’s Apple Menu by going to System Preferences, then click on keyboard and then go to dictation.
21) Voice Texting Pro
Voice Texting Pro is a professional app built by Sparking Apps with a 4+ rating App Store. It requires iOS version 5.1.1 or later since that app works best on the iPhone 5. Furthermore, much like most Apple software, the app prioritises the User Interface (UI) above all else, so it is effortless to use. All of its features are available from a single screen, and there are many in-app purchases available, including voice texting and adding languages.
Compatibility: Mac/iOS devices
Price: Free
Nuance Dragon Home v15
Formerly known as Dragon Naturally Speaking, Dragon Home (visit website) is an award-winning speech recognition solution, consistently labeled the best dictation software in the voice-to-text field of the industry.
By employing the latest Deep Learning technology, Dragon Home effortlessly adapts to changes in your voice and the background environment, even if those changes occur while you are actually dictating. So, if you have a bad cold, for example, you can still dictate efficiently.
High Accuracy – Much less time is wasted on editing thanks to an industry-leading 99% accuracy rate. The intuitive user-friendly interface makes editing a breeze, saving you even more time. Formatting your text professionally is just as easy and quick.
Playback feature – You can select blocks of text and listen to it while you proofread or edit a document. Listening to your own text is often an excellent way to pick up inconsistencies, errors and poorly flowing text. Fine-tuning your text and correcting errors is thus achieved with the absolute minimum of fuss.
Versatile case uses – Wherever text input is required, Dragon Home will generate that text as you speak. Apart from lengthy documents, use Dragon Home to surf the web, to interact on social media, to compose emails, to manage your calendar and to full in electronic forms. It works well with touch screens too.
Nuance, the maker of Dragon Home, claims that you will not need any training before you can use their dictation software productively. It is a simple matter of “launch and dictate”! Extensive Help files are nevertheless available online.
Verdict – Dragon Home is certainly pricey, but definitely worth it for serious computer users. It is easy to use and you will be up and running in no time at all. If you spend a lot of time generating documents you will quickly wonder how you ever managed without Dragon Home. One of the best dictation software for home use.
Systems: Windows, Explorer, Firefox, Chrome
Price: $200. Visit Website. Discount: Home + 12-month Dragon Anywhere. Get Deal.
Rating: ★★★★★.
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.
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/
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
Gboard Voice Typing
Of the many keyboard apps available for Android, Gboard is arguably the most popular and is one of the best free text to speech software available. Google’s keyboard comes with several attractive features, such as glide typing and one-handed mode. But aside from these, it also boasts robust speech recognition capabilities. You can use your voice for anything and everything from writing emails to responding to text messages. 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 have it replace the existing word. Gboard supports dictation in multiple languages and offers offline use as well.
Compatibility: Any Android device
Price: Free
Download Link: https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2781851?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en
Dragon Anywhere
Dragon Anywhere brings you superior dictation capabilities wherever you may be with high-quality speech recognition and desktop apps. Although an internet connection is a must, it is a small price to pay for this versatile software. Dragon Anywhere is the mobile version built for both Android and iOS devices, which is rare. However, Dragon anywhere is not ‘lite’ in any way and offers fully-formed dictation capabilities powered by the cloud.
The app also facilitates removing and adding boilerplate chunks of text with a single command along with auto-syncing of custom vocabularies between the mobile app and desktop Dragon software. However, you can only translate text from within Dragon Anywhere. You cannot use it in other apps and directly input your text. Nonetheless, even with these limitations, it is still an excellent application to use for all your speech to text needs.
Compatibility: Android, iOS | Features: Dictation, sync with Dragon Professional and cloud services
Price: 7-day free trial; 12 months @ $149.99/year; 1 month @ $14.99/month
Express Dictate
NCH’s Express Dictate is proof that a program can be both powerful and intuitive at the same time. An expansive feature set and a simple UI make it the easiest to use dictation software out there.
Express Dictate is essentially a voice recording software that works like a dictaphone. It records audio with enhanced signal processing quality and can record to multiple formats, including .wav, .mp3 and .dct. The software supports automatic non-destructive editing, with multiple recording modes like record-insert, record-overwrite and record-at-end. Voice-activated recordings mean long silences are not included, and you can assign priority to individual dictations. You can directly send recordings via e-mail or FTP, and also save them for later use.
HIPAA-compliance ensures all recordings are encrypted, which makes Express Dictate perfect for recording secure client and patient data. You can also dock analog or digital handheld dictation recorders with the program, and transmit recordings made when you’re away from the computer. It’s possible to attach additional notes and files to the recordings for better transcription, and built-in compression technology reduces the size of recording files for easier transmission online. Express Dictate lets you use hand controllers and foot pedals, and can even be controlled via system-wide hotkeys. The software is available for both Windows (XP and above) and Mac (OS X 10.5 and later).
English Voice Typing Keyboard
English Voice Typing Keyboard – Voice to Text Converter as it instantly converts spoken words to text format with high accuracy.
With the advancement in technology and the rapid growth of the world English Voice Typing keyboard – Voice to Text will facilitate your life. Voice to text apps can be a treat for busy professionals who don’t even find time to have a conversation with their loved ones. Voice typing is actually a speech recognition tool that records, analyzes and interprets the phrases and words you speak and converts your voice into words much faster than it would take you to type. This feature is useful for visually impaired people to take notes and convey their messages in the easiest way. Voice typing in English will increase your confidence in speaking English in such a way that if you do not understand any phrase, word or sentence, it will confirm it and give alternative suggestions. With each update, app developers try to innovate new core features.
In addition to voice typing, it also has built-in aesthetic wallpapers, funky stickers and cute emojis that will blow your mind. The application is very convenient to use while dealing with clients who do not speak the same language as you or useful for those who have moved abroad for study or business purpose. Speechnotes is exemplary for codifying long notes, is a delight for the students to take notes and will save them in chats for later.
Price: Free
Accuracy Rate: Not disclosed
Conclusion
A dictation software that works with your computer is a boon. These days, there are many great options for you to choose from. But the perfect one for you remains elusive. That’s why you should check out those softwares!