10 Fastest Voice-To-Text Dictation Tools

A necessary task for many jobs involves typing and writing at some point. A lot of the time, typing constantly can be super frustrating and even physically uncomfortable sometimes.

Hours on end with a keyboard can also be harmful for you mentally. Luckily, dictation tools give a modern solution to the following problems…
 

Physical Discomfort From Typing

 
Typing for a long time can cause repetitive strain injuries, particularly in the hands, wrists, and shoulders. This discomfort can become a problem for productivity and overall wellbeing.
 

Time-Consuming

 
The slower pace of typing compared to speaking means that writing reports, emails, or other documents takes much longer than necessary.
 

Frequent Errors

 
Even pros make mistakes, and errors need time to correct, which throws off the flow of work, leading to inaccuracies in important documents.
 

Mental Fatigue

 
Complex or lengthy content can bring the mental load of maintaining speed and accuracy. This can result in fatigue and decreased productivity.
 

How Dictation Tools Help

 
Dictation tools, also known as speech-to-text technology, convert spoken words into text. This is the perfect alternative to manual typing, and here’s why…
 

Speed And Efficiency

 
Dictation is much faster than typing. Speech recognition software can transcribe words quickly, so there’s a faster document creation rate which helps with saving time.
 

Reducing Physical Strain

 
Speaking instead of typing helps prevent repetitive strain injuries. This is perfect for those who experience discomfort from extended typing sessions.
 

Accessibility Benefits

 
Dictation tools are useful for people who are dysgraphic or dyslexic, for example. They’re able to easily share their thoughts verbally, so writing tasks are more accessible and less daunting.
 

Capturing Passing Thoughts

 
People who think faster than they can type may often need a way to get their thoughts down quickly and accurately without the delay of typing, before the idea goes away.
 

Tools To Help Dictation Of Notes And Ideas

 
These, here, are a few built-in or downloadable tools that can help convert your speech into text:
 

1. Google Docs Voice Typing

Google Docs offers a built-in voice typing feature that works directly in your web browser. Available on Chrome, Edge, and Safari, it allows you to dictate text in Google Docs and Google Slides.

Simply turn on your microphone and start speaking to type and edit your documents. You can also use voice commands to add punctuation and format your text.

This tool supports multiple languages and is an efficient way to create text without typing. It’s especially useful for quick document creation and note-taking.

2. Windows Voice Typing

Windows Voice Typing is an integrated feature in Windows 10 and 11 that allows you to enter text by speaking. Powered by Azure Speech services, it requires an internet connection and a working microphone.

Activate it by pressing the Windows logo key + H, and start speaking when you see the “Listening…” alert. You can switch between supported languages and use voice commands to edit and format your text. This tool is ideal for hands-free typing and can be used across various applications on your PC.

3. Apple Dictation

Apple Dictation is a feature available on iPhones and iPads that lets you dictate text wherever you can type. You can easily switch between typing and dictation, and it works without an internet connection in many languages.

To use it, allow Dictation in your device settings, tap the Dictate button on the keyboard, and start speaking. Apple Dictation automatically inserts punctuation and supports voice commands for formatting.

It’s a convenient tool for quick text input and hands-free operation on Apple devices.

4. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is a free, web-based speech-to-text tool that provides quick and accurate transcriptions of your audio and video recordings.

It supports voice commands for punctuation and formatting, making it easy to create and edit text. Speechnotes works entirely online, so no downloads or installations are needed. It is perfect for dictating notes, writing documents, and transcribing recordings.

The tool also offers an Android app and a Chrome extension for voice typing across different platforms, ensuring flexibility and ease of use.

5. Flixier

This tool has an AI-powered dictation tool that quickly transcribes your voice recordings into text. It’s browser-based, so you can use it on any device with internet access. Flixier supports over 130 languages and dialects, allowing you to create transcripts in multiple formats like TXT, SRT, and VTT.

The tool integrates easily with various operating systems, eliminating the need for dedicated software installations. Flixier also includes features for video and audio editing, making it a versatile choice for content creators.

Its user-friendly interface makes sure both beginners and professionals can efficiently convert speech to text and edit their content seamlessly.
 

6. Dictation.io

 

 
Dictation.io uses Google Speech Recognition to transcribe your speech into text in real-time. This tool supports a variety of languages including English, Spanish, French, and many others.

You can use voice commands to insert punctuation marks, paragraphs, and special characters. Dictation.io operates directly in your web browser, ensuring that your data is stored locally without being uploaded anywhere. It’s a convenient choice for writing emails, documents, and other text-based content through simple voice dictation.
 

7. LilySpeech

LilySpeech is a free speech-to-text application for Windows, supporting 51 languages. Powered by Google’s speech recognition technology, it boasts 99.5% accuracy.

Simply press Ctrl+D to start dictating anywhere on your Windows desktop or laptop. LilySpeech allows customization for recognising specific words, making it suitable for specialised industries.

The lightweight application performs speech-to-text conversion in the cloud, making sure it doesn’t slow down your computer. The free version is fully functional, with a premium option available for additional features.

8. SpeechTexter

SpeechTexter is a free, multilingual speech-to-text app designed for creating notes, documents, and reports through voice dictation.

It supports over 70 languages and offers customisable voice commands for adding punctuation and frequent phrases.

This tool is perfect for those with disabilities, as it improves accessibility and learning pronunciation in foreign languages.

SpeechTexter uses Google Speech Recognition and requires no downloads or installations, making it easy to start dictating with just a microphone and an internet connection.

9. Philips SpeechLive

Philips SpeechLive is a comprehensive dictation and transcription platform. It allows users to record voice directly in a web browser or through a smartphone app. The tool converts speech to text using AI-powered software and offers options for in-house transcription or professional transcription services.

SpeechLive is designed to be efficient, helping users complete tasks faster whether in the office or on the go. It integrates smoothly with existing workflows and supports collaboration among team members.

10. Transkriptor

Transkriptor converts audio to text using advanced AI technology, supporting over 40 languages. It’s perfect for transcribing meetings, interviews, and lectures.

The tool offers automatic meeting notes, collaboration features, and supports various file formats. Users can edit transcriptions, translate them into different languages, and access the service via mobile apps, browser extensions, or virtual meeting bots.

Transkriptor prioritises security, complying with SOC 2 and GDPR standards to protect user data.