Speech-to-Text Software and Apps: The Complete Guide

What is the best speech to text software?

The best speech to text software or app depends on what you need it for. For example, if you want something to record meetings or lectures, the voice typing function in Google Docs is probably your best bet. On the other hand, if you want something to take notes with, most devices’ built-in voice recorder app will do just fine.

Let’s look at some of the best speech to text software and apps available.

Dragon Anywhere is an excellent app that allows you to work wherever you are. It’s designed for both iOS and Android devices, so it’s compatible with most smartphones and tablets on the market. This software allows you to talk your way through daily tasks just like Dragon Mobile Assistant, but it also gives you access to a mobile dictation feature that allows you to speak instead of typing if you wish.

Google Gboard is a keyboard application that comes pre-installed on most Android devices, and it has voice typing capabilities built in. It also gives you access to the latest and greatest version of Google Translate, which allows you to do things like speak directly into your device when it’s in use. So it may be worth checking out if you’re looking for something equipped to handle multiple tasks.

Windows 10 offers a built-in speech recognition feature that can be used to do all kinds of things on your device. So whether you want to write an email, turn off the lights in your home or even bake a cake, this software allows you to efficiently and quickly control any Windows machine. Moreover, it’s largely hands-free and works perfectly with Cortana!

Apple Dictation is an iOS app that allows you to dictate text on your smartphone. You can use this software to send messages, update social media accounts or even search for information – all without typing a single letter! Apple also released Siri several years ago, making it simple for users to control things with their voice.

Otter Voice Notes is one of the best choices for anyone looking to record lectures, meetings or other information. This app comes equipped with an audio recorder and a transcription feature to convert your words into text easily! It also works across multiple platforms to be used on both Android devices and computers alike.

Briana Pro is another great option for users looking for speech recognition software. It works with text, video and photo apps to give you multiple options for converting voice to text. This app also includes a scheduler, memo manager and many other useful features that make it worth checking out!

IBM Speech to Text is a powerful app that allows you to speak instead of type. It comes with a virtual keyboard, text-to-speech feature and much more! This software works across multiple devices, so it’s perfect for anyone who plans on using their phone or computer throughout the day.

Speechnotes Pro is one of the best options for students or professionals looking to take detailed notes. This app allows you to type, record voice memos and even sync your speech to text with OneNote. It’s an excellent option for anyone who needs help taking notes in lectures or meetings.

Transcribe has many different features that make it an excellent choice for users who need speech to text software. It comes with timed recordings, transcription tools and much more! This app also offers cloud storage capabilities to keep all of your files in one place across multiple devices.

Just Press Record is a simple option that gets the job done without bells and whistles. This app features offline transcription for any files you record, adjustable playback speeds and much more! It’s an excellent choice for recording lectures, meetings or interviews.

Read more: Free speech to text software and services

How to set up speech to text software on your device

• Make sure the microphone is on
• Check settings to make sure it’s working correctly
• Go to speech options and select language (some devices may not have this option)
• Go to dictation options and select ‘enable eech to text’
• Now, all you need to do is turn on dictation and speak clearly into your device.

You should now be able to use the speech to text feature on your device. If you follow these steps, it shouldn’t take too long to get used to using the speech to text app on your device. Remember, practice makes perfect! A good way of practising is using speech to text software during meetings at work or when you’re in lectures.

How to use speech to text in Google Docs?

• To begin, open Google Docs and select ‘voice typing’ from your settings menu (the gear icon at the top right)
• Once you’ve enabled voice typing, all you need to do is press the red microphone button or say, “OK, Google.”
• Now, speak directly into your device, and Google Docs will automatically convert your words into text! It’s that simple.

Note: you can use speech to text in Google Docs even if you lack an internet connection. This feature works offline for Android users. .

How to convert speech to text on Mac?

• Select ‘System Preferences’ from the Apple menu
• Click on ‘Dictation’ or ‘Speech’ (depending on your operating system)
• Select ‘On’ under Dictation and Text to Speech options, then click enter
• Once voice typing is enabled, press fn and hold down until you see a microphone. You can then say what you want to type, and your words will appear on the screen!

How to convert speech to text on iPhone?

• Go to Settings>General>Accessibility
• Under ‘Speech’, select ‘Voiceover’. Then, toggle the switch to the right of Voiceover and Siri until it turns green and says ‘On’. Now, press and hold the home button until you hear a beep. Then, say what you want to type, and it will appear on the screen!

It’s not always easy to switch from typing to speaking, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. Remember, practice makes perfect! Speech to text apps are wonderful when you have an important paper or email that needs to be written.

How to use speech to text in Windows 10?

• Select ‘Settings’ from the Start menu
• Click on ‘Ease of Access’, then click on ‘Text to Speech’.
• Toggle the switch next to ‘Let Cortana read text messages, instant messages, and event descriptions back to me’ until it turns green
• Now you can say what you need to type, and your words will appear on the screen.
• If you want to use speech to text in other programs, such as Microsoft Word, open the application and press ctrl + windows key + S to turn it on or off.
• Alternatively, you can press windows key + H to turn Cortana’s transcribing abilities on or off.

How to dictate text

If you plan on using speech to text, it is important to learn how to speak for it. Instead of trying to speak the words you are typing, speak the sentence as a whole. Speak clearly and enunciate your words.

Contractions

If you want to dictate text with contractions, say each word as it’s written in a contraction out loud as if it were a sentence. For example, “I’m going now” would be spoken as “I am going now”. There isn’t usually an issue with dictating contractions, but it is important to make sure the program you are using will recognise them.

Articles

If you want to dictate text with articles, say “a” or “an” before the word first. For example, if I wanted to type out ‘I saw a dog’, I would speak it as “I saw a [pause] dog”. Some programs will automatically add the article in, while others won’t. If an article is not added when it should be, go back and edit your text to include the articles where they need to be.

Long phrases

If you are speaking phrases that are longer than the program you are using is set to recognise, say each word as it’s written and add in punctuation manually where necessary.

Accents

If you have a thick accent, some programs will not recognise what you’re saying very well. If this is the case, keep the recording of your voice. You can then listen back to it or even share it with someone else to help fix the mistakes manually.

Read more: How to dictate text

Key Takeaway: Speech to Text Software and Apps

The future of speech to text software is here. We no longer have to be slaves to live transcribers who may or may not get the message right. Instead, speech to text software makes it possible for us to control our writing effortlessly.