12 Best Dictation Software 2023 [Voice To Text Software]

This tutorial compares the top Dictation Software with features and pricing. Select the best voice to text software for your requirements:

Dictation software allows you to speak instead of typing. The application has a text-to-speech recognition feature and converts spoken words to text. The technology has come a long way, allowing you to dictate documents with up to 95 percent accuracy.

Dictation Software Review

When it comes to selecting a dictation application, you have many options. In this guide, we will review the 12 best dictation tools. The guide contains information about the best features of dictation software – free and paid versions–as well as the price and positive point of each application.

Fact Check:

The global text-to-speech

The global text-to-speech software market size was estimated to be $1.32 billion in 2019. It is expected that the market will grow at a CAGR of 17.8 percent between 2022 and 2027.

The below image shows the North American Dictation Software market size–AI and Non-AI:

[image source]  

Pro-Tip:

Find out if the dictation app will work with email software and document processing apps. In addition, if you want the app to read scanned messages and emails, you should select an app with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Text To Speech (TTS) features.

FAQs About Voice To Text Software

Q #1) What is a dictation app?

Answer: A dictation app is used to transcript documents by speaking. The transcription software has a voice-to-text recognition feature. You can use the application to transcribe instead of typing the document.

Q #2) What are the features of dictation software?

Answer: Dictation software has multiple features such as Advanced Speech Recognition (ASR), Text To Speech (TTS), and Speech Synthesis. Some apps have advanced features such as speaker authentication and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

Suggested reading =>> Best Text to Speech Software

Q #3) What is AI-based dictation software?

Answer: AI-based dictation software uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) feature to perform an advanced speech analysis. The AI-based dictation software can identify and remove background noise during dictation.

Q #4) How does a dictation application work?

Answer: It works by analyzing each sound using an algorithm. It determines that most probable character that fits in the spoken sounds and transcribes the sound to text.

Q #5) What are the uses of a dictation application?

Answer: A speech recognition app does not just convert voice to text. Some dictation software allows you to dictate and control the Internet browser. Additionally, there is some dictation software that lets you control electronic devices such as the car navigation system.

Q #6) Is using a dictation app faster than typing?

Answer: A speech recognition application can halve the time to write a document. On average, users can type up to 30 words per minute. Using dictation software, users can easily transcribe 150 words per minute.

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List of Top Dictation Software

Here is a list of popular Dictation Software:

1. Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions
2. Braina
3. Google Docs Voice Typing
4. Apple Dictation
5. Winscribe
6. Speechnotes
7. e-Speaking
8. Gboard
9. Windows 10 Speech Recognition
10. Otter
11. Tazti
12. Voice Finger

Comparison of Top Speech to Text Software

Tool NameBest ForPlatformPriceFree TrialRatings
*****

Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions

Students, legal, health care, and other professionals to transcribe text and share documents with high encryption.Supports Android, iPhone, PC, and Blackberry devicesDragon Home for Students $155
Dragon for Professionals starts at $116 per year per user 7 days4/5

Braina

Dictating text using a human language interface on any website or software. Windows, iOS, and Android devicesBasic Free
Braina Pro costs $49 per year
Braina Lifetime $139No5/5

Google Docs Voice Typing

Transcribing text for free on Google Docs online.PC and Mac devices using ChromeFreeNo4.5/5

Apple Dictation

Transcribing text for free on Apple devices.Mac devicesFreeNo4.5/5

Winscribe

Legal, health care, law enforcement, education, and other professionals to dictate text on Android and iPhone devices.Supports Android, iPhone, PC, and Blackberry devicesStarts at $284 per user per year7 days4/5

Review of the dictation software:

#1)

Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions

 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.

Visit Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions Website >>

#2) 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

#3) 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

#4) 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

#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

#6) 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

#8) 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

#9) 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

#10) Otter

Best for transcribing voice conversations for researchers and students.

[image source]  

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

#11) 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

#12) 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

Conclusion

We have reviewed different types of voice-t0-text dictation software that are suitable for different users. The best value app for general users is the Brain dictation tool, which is not only affordable but also offers various advanced dictation features.

Also check =>> Best Windows alternatives for KeyKey Typing Tutor 

Otter is the best app for students and teachers. Gamers can use Voice Finger and Tazti to issue commands in games. Medium and large corporations should use Winscribe and Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions.

Suggested reading =>> Best Discord Voice Changers

Research Process:

• Time taken to research this article: The guide took 8 hours to research and write so that you can make an informed decision about the best dictation software.
• Total tools researched: 24
• Top tools shortlisted: 12

=> Contact us to suggest your listing here.