Dictation apps and software are becoming increasingly crucial, especially for those who want to create large amounts of text-based content or take quick notes. Decades ago, no one would have thought about the possibility of speaking while your device converts your voice to text in real-time. However, with the proliferation of various digital gadgets and solutions, dictation tools have become a huge part of our day-to-day life.
If you are looking for help in choosing the best dictation software, continue reading this post as we review some of the best options out there. You can go through our list and decide the best one for your needs.
6 Best Dictation Software
- Otter – Best Dictation Software in Terms of Value
- Apple dictation – Best Dictation Software for Apple Users
- Gboard – Best Dictation Software for Android Phone Lovers
- Voice Finger – Best Dictation Software for the Disabled
- Speechnotes – Best Free Online Dictation Software
- Google Docs Voice Typing – Best Dictation Software for Google Docs Users
1. Otter – Best Dictation Software in Terms of Value
PRICING: starts at $8.33 a month
If you are looking for an efficient dictation app to speed up your work and achieve more within a short time, then you want to have your eyes fixed on Otter. This software solution is well-known among businessmen and instructors, and the reason for this is not far-fetched – it simply gets the job done. Otter is powered by artificial intelligence and can accurately read your voice and transcribe it into text in real-time. Also, the accent doesn’t matter, as long as you are speaking in English; the software captures the voice and puts it in plain, readable text.
With this software solution, you don’t have to worry about the accuracy of the text, you only need to focus on your speech or conversation and let the app do what it does best. This solution can help business team members and team leaders take notes during a live presentation without losing concentration. That way, they can be more productive and save lots of time.
KEY FEATURES
- Live recording and transcription
- Search Playback recordings
- Advanced search and export
- Custom vocabulary
- Team vocabulary
- Otter assistant
- Single sign-on
REASONS TO BUY
- It’s easy to use
- Great experience overall
- Has free version
REASONS TO AVOID
- The resulting text may require some proofreading
- The AI sometimes gets some words wrong
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2. Apple dictation – Best Dictation Software for Apple Users
PRICING: free
One thing you’d notice about Apple device users is the obsession to stand out from the rest. If you love the exclusivity that comes with Apple devices, you would love their dictation app. It is a popular and efficient dictation app that is available for MAC and IOS users. It enjoys lots of rave reviews from users, and some rank it among the top ten highest performing dictation apps. Apple dictation is a powerful AI-powered tool and it’s perfect for those who are not tech-savvy. It has lots of voice commands and you can even create your own custom commands, too.
You don’t speak English? No problem. Even the basic version of Apple dictation supports up to 31 languages. While you cannot use this as a professional dictation app, you can always use it to automate specific commands to save you time.
KEY FEATURES
- Multiple dictation languages
- Audio recording
- Easy text sharing
- iCloud synchronization
- Transcribing of audio files
- Support for the impaired
REASON TO USE
- It’s easy to use
- It’s free
REASON TO AVOID
- Not ideal for professional use
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3. Gboard – Best Dictation Software for Android Phone Lovers
PRICING: free
Third-party keyboards are getting more attention from mobile phone users, and the reason for that is not far-fetched – they are packed with loads of extra features. Your phone already comes with a default keyboard to help you type texts and chat with friends and loved ones. However, if you need added features, such as more Emojis, GIFs, voice-to-text, and more, you may need to install a third-party keyboard like Gboard. It is available on the Google play store for free and you can download, install, and get started with it in minutes.
It was originally developed for android users but there’s also a version for IOS users now. With the dictation keyword enabled on your device, you can transcribe your speech into text in real-time. With over 5 billion downloads and an average rating of 4.5 on Playstore, Gboard dictation is one of the best dictation software out there.
KEY FEATURES
- Built-in Google search
- Dictation
- Expressive GIFs and Emojis
- Multilingual typing
- One hand mode
- Predictive answers
REASONS TO USE
- Highly responsive
- Powerful emoji search
REASON TO AVOID
- Nonexistent customization option
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4. Voice Finger – Best Dictation Software for the Disabled
PRICING: $9.99
When it comes to dictation software, Voice Finger is on another level. This software solution is a little more advanced than many solutions out there. This is because it was developed with the impaired in mind. The software allows users to control and operate the computer without any physical contact. Students with mobility problems can use this as a reliable writing aid because it can easily capture their voice and transcribe it into readable, well-structured text. While other dictation software assumes users can still type and edit out some errors, Voice Finger does everything by following your voice prompt. It is reasonably priced and you can get a full license for about $9.99.
KEY FEATURES
- Audio capture
- Automatic transcription
- Multi-languages
- Voice recognition
- Automatic form fill
- Call analysis
REASONS TO BUY
- Extremely responsive
- Great for the impaired
REASON TO AVOID
- It can be overwhelming for new users
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5. Speechnotes – Best Free Online Dictation Software
PRICING: free
Sometimes we all want some cool tools and resources that can help us perform everyday functions without paying a dime. Well, if you are in that shoe, you may want to take a look at Speechnotes – a free dictation app. Speechnotes is available on the Google Playstore for free and is compatible with recent Android versions. It also works perfectly on desktops. It has been downloaded more than 5 million times on Playstore, with an average rating of 4.0, which is a testament to its overall efficiency and quality.
With Speechnotes, you don’t have to bother yourself with churning out large blocks of text; the software solution simply gets the job done. While most dictation software would stop listening when you pause to catch your breath for a few seconds, Speechnotes keeps working.
KEY FEATURES
- Voice typing
- Smart capitalization
- Spellcheck
- Google drive exporting
- Auto-save
- Key-typing
REASONS TO USE
- Excellent performance
- It’s free
REASON TO AVOID
- Questionable security
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6. Google Docs Voice Typing – Best Dictation Software for Google Docs Users
PRICING: free
Google Docs voice typing is in-built voice recognition and dictation functionality that comes with Google Docs, and just like many other Google products, it’s free to use. Sometimes when you want to get your thoughts out in the form of a quick blog post or any other form of written content, the last thing you want to do is type for hours. You can easily say the words you want to write and the software will capture them and you will see them being typed out in Google docs in real-time
KEY FEATURES
- Voice typing
- Spellcheck
- Auto-save
- Export to Google Drive
REASONS TO USE
- It’s free
- Supports multiple languages
- It’s super easy to use
REASON TO AVOID
- Can only work online
» MORE: Best Voice Recognition Software
References and Links
- https://www.techradar.com/best/dictation-software
- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-dictation-software/
- https://zapier.com/blog/best-text-dictation-software/
- https://www.laptopmag.com/best-picks/best-dictation-software
- https://www.thebalancesmb.com/best-dictation-software-4169711
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