What are the best speech recognition software programs on the market today? This is one of the most frequently asked questions at SpeechTips.com. There are probably thousands of speech recognition software programs, so this is a difficult question to answer because it depends upon specific communication needs of each individual.
For one person, some word speech recognition software works better than others, so I have tried to provide a comprehensive list of popular options available today on the market that you can research further if interested .
Speechnotes
Best for dictating text online for free.
Screennotes is online dictation software that lets you type using your voice. You can also insert long texts with just one tap. It supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Hindu, Urdu, Turkish, Bahasha, and many other languages. You can also order a professional transcribing service at $0.1 per minute.
Features:
- Fast speech recognition
- Works on any website
- Keyboard shortcut for start and pause
- Custom text stamps
- Export to Google Drive
Verdict: Screennotes is simple and easy to use online tool for dictating text. It is great for dictating texts on websites including Outlook and Gmail.
Price: Basic version is free of cost. The Premium add-free chrome extension costs $9.99 that comes with the additional feature of dictating on any website.
Website: Speechnotes
#7) e-Speaking
Best for using voice command to control windows without using a keyboard or mouse.
e-Speaking is a dictation tool that allows you to control the Windows operating system. You can use the voice application to replace the keyboard and mouse. It allows you to open applications, browse windows, and create documents with voice commands.
Features:
- 100+ built-in commands
- 26 dictation voice command variation
- Integrate with Office
- Based on Microsoft SAPI speech engine
- Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Win7, and Win8
Verdict: e-Speaking offers great value for money. It is an excellent app for Windows devices to dictate letters and emails and control the operating system.
Price: Full version costs $14. You can try the software for free for 30 days.
Website: e-Speaking
Gboard
Best for Android phone users to dictate speech, glide typing, and handwriting.
Gboard is an easy-to-use keyboard application for android users. The android app allows you to do a lot of things such as dictate text, swipe-style input, and emoji search when chatting.
Features:
- Voice typing
- Emoji and GIFs search
- Multilingual support
- Gesture cursor control
Verdict: Gboard is a simple and easy-to-use dictation software for Android phone users. The smartphone dictation app is an alternative to keyboard input. However, the shortcoming of the dictation software is that the customization and dictation features are limited.
Price: Free.
Website: Gboard
Windows 10 Speech Recognition
Best for Windows users to control the operating system and create documents.
Microsoft included the speech recognition feature for the first time in Windows Vista. All the subsequent releases also contain a speech recognition feature. The Windows 10 speech recognition feature is much better than its previous iteration with enhanced speech recognition. You can train the speech recognition software to recognize your voice.
Features:
- Launch applications
- Dictate text
- Navigate windows
- Use in place of mouse or keyboard
Verdict: Windows 10 speech recognition is simple and easy to use the feature. You can set up a speech recognition feature to control the operating system and create documents through voice command.
Price: Free.
Website: Windows 10 Speech Recognition
Otter
Best for transcribing voice conversations for researchers and students.
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Otter is a responsive dictation software with high accuracy. The software boasts of AI technology called Ambient Voice Intelligence (AVI) which allows it to learn as you speak. It also supports team collaboration features such as sync with zoom, share voiceprints, and user management.
Features:
- Live transcribe
- Share voice
- Record conversation
- Ambient Voice Intelligence
Verdict: Otter is a great dictation software for students and teachers alike. The only shortcoming of the application is the transcription limit. You cannot transcribe a lot of documents using the software.
Price: Otter is available in three packages. The Essential Otter version is free that contains basic features like record and playback, live transcribe, user identification, summary keywords, share audio, and text notes, and sync with Zoom Cloud. It supports a maximum transcription of 600 minutes at 40 minutes per month.
The Premium version costs $8.33 per user per month that allows a maximum transcription of 6000 minutes with 4 hours per month. It supports premium features such as import audio, documents (PDF, DOCX, SRT), custom vocabulary, skip silence, sync with Dropbox, and bulk import and export.
Teams version costs $20 per user, per month that has additional team collaboration features such as live notes for Zoom, team vocabulary with 800 names, and 800 additional terms, shared speaker voice prints, time codes, and usage statistics. Educational institutes are offered a 50 percent discount on the regular price.
You can also request a custom Enterprise plan. Here are the details of the different packages.
Website: Otter
Tazti
Best for Gamers to control games and users to control the operating system.
Tazti is one of the best dictation software that is packed with features. The software has built-in speech commands. You can also add up to 300 commands to control the operating system and games.
Features:
- Control games with voice
- Navigate websites and files
- Over 25 built-in speech commands
- Add up to 300 speech commands
- Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.
Verdict: Tazti has an uncomplicated and easy user interface. It offers great value for money due to excellent features at a relatively lower price than top-of-the-line competitors.
Price: $80.
Website: Tazti
Voice Finger
Best for people with disabilities to control operating system with voice.
Voice Finger contains many features that are present in more expensive voice recognition solutions. The application allows zero contact control of your operating system. You can use voice commands to control mouse, keyboard, and even games.
Features:
- Control mouse and keyboard
- Supports Windows speech recognition commands
- Zero computer contact
- Hit Keys and buttons in games
- Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
Verdict: While the speech recognition accuracy may not be as accurate as of the top of line dictation software, it is an affordable solution that will meet the needs of most users.
Price: Full-version is available at $9.99. You can also download limited version software for free to test the functionality of the software.
Website: Voice Finger
Speech Texter (Web Chrome, Android)
Speech Texter is a free speech-to-text conversion software that specifically works on Chrome browser or with Android. While the app’s privacy policy does mention that it doesn’t store any of the text, the text may be processed by Google’s server (since you will be doing it online through Chrome browser or Android app). So, one should keep that in mind.
The application offers easy transcription of speech, with great accuracy. The platform does allow live transcription, where you can click start and begin talking. Once the transcription is done, the text is shown in the main window with the “Result Confidence Wheel”, showing the estimated percent of accurately transcribed words.
Vocola3
Vocola3 is yet another great free speech-to-text converter. The software works in association with “Window Speech Recognition”, which helps to improve the accuracy and speed of the transcription service.
To be able to use the software, you would have to activate Windows Speech Recognition, before installing the Vocola3. Once the software is installed, simply turn on the settings of Vocol3 from the system tray and you are good to start transcribing. To further improve the features and functionalities of the software, different extensions can also be integrated into the Vocola3.
Best Free and Paid Speech to Text Software for Windows
Dragon Professional Individual
Dragon by far the gold standard when it comes to speech recognition software even today. Filled with several features and extensive customisation capabilities, Dragon Professional Individual is without question the best speech to text software available in the industry. Using deep learning technology allows the program to adapt to the user’s voice and environmental variations in real-time. Dragon automatically adds frequently used words and phrases to an internal repository to minimise the number of corrections.
Furthermore, using the Smart Format Rules, users can easily configure how they want specific items (e.g. dates, phone numbers) to appear. Dragon Professional Individual’s advanced personalisation features allow for maximum flexibility coupled with efficiency and productivity. You can also import or export custom lists for words, acronyms and various business-specific terms. If that was not enough, you could even configure custom voice commands to do the actions you do most often. Or quickly inserting frequently used content (e.g. text, graphics) in documents, and even create time-saving macros to automate multi-step tasks with simple voice commands.
Compatibility: Any device with windows version 7 and up.
Price: $300
Download Link: https://www.nuance.com/dragon/business-solutions/dragon-professional-individual.html
Windows Dictation
If you would like a reliable speech to text software for Windows 10, you don’t even need to look elsewhere, as Microsoft’s newest OS already comes with one. The new and improved dictation feature lets you capture all your thoughts and ideas using only your voice both quickly and accurately. Furthermore, due to the deep integration between the app and Windows, Dictation works seamlessly with just about any text field in Windows 10. To start using the app, select a text field and press the “Windows + H” keys in combination to launch the dictation toolbar.
To insert any particular letter, number, punctuation mark, and symbols by just saying their names (e.g. to enter $, say “dollar symbol” or “dollar sign”). Dictation also supports numerous voice commands that allow you to select/edit text, move the cursor to a specified location, and more. However, Dragon is not available in any language besides U.S. English, and you require an internet connection.
Compatibility: Any devices with Windows version 8.1 and up
Price: Free
Get it from Windows or visit:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4042244/windows-10-use-dictation for more details
Conclusion
My experience with dictation software has been one that has been positive in almost all cases, and I know the benefits it brings to the table. If you’re someone, though, that still doesn’t see anything that can help in your case, then there’s probably another avenue you should look into knowing about.