Voice-to-text apps can be very useful for accessibility needs and busy professionals alike. If you’re always on the go, transcribing interview notes, or you think faster than you can write, these special programs can increase your efficiency and store the recordings safe and sound via the cloud. Depending on your needs, you can also choose an app with customizable language for commonly used words or industry terms.

The main features to consider when looking at voice-to-text apps include accuracy, shortcuts, and available languages. Accuracy is one of the most important factors, and some options perform much better than others in this area. From basic software to more advanced technology, these apps are becoming more mainstream. Whether you want to take notes, send quick messages, or translate on the fly, the best voice-to-text apps below are ready to help.

Best Voice-to-Text Apps of 2023

  • Best Overall: Dragon Anywhere
  • Best Assistant: Google Assistant
  • Best Transcription: Transcribe
  • Best for Long Recordings: Speechnotes
  • Best for Notes: Voice Notes
  • Best for Messages: SpeechTexter
  • Best for Translation: iTranslate Converse
  • Best for Niche Industry Terms: Braina

Best Overall: Dragon Anywhere

  • Price: $15 per month or $150 per yearFree Trial: One weekAccuracy Rate: 99 percent

Why We Chose It

We chose Dragon Anywhere because of its 99 percent accuracy rating and options for voice editing and formatting.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Available for Android and iOS devices, Dragon Anywhere is a premium professional tool that’s a big deal in the world of dictation apps. It’s 99 percent accurate and comes with voice editing and formatting. You can use the app for as long as you need—there are no word limits.

Get a free USB headset when you purchase Dragon Home or Dragon Professional Individual. Right now, you can get Dragon Anywhere App for no additional cost (worth $150). Use code USB2022 at checkout.

  • No word limits

  • 99 percent accuracy

  • Multiple ways to share documents

  • Expensive compared to some other apps

  • May take time to learn the built-in commands

Dragon Anywhere allows you to customize industry lingo for even more accuracy. After transcription, share your notes by email, Dropbox, Evernote, and more. For supported versions, you can synchronize Dragon Anywhere with your desktop and do voice work on your computer as well. However, to do this, you will need to purchase a desktop version of Dragon as well.

Its accuracy and rich features come with a cost, but the bill could be a worthy business investment if you often think of ideas on the fly or need to record meetings. The application costs $15 per month or $150 per year.

Best Assistant: Google Assistant

  • Price: FreeFree Trial: N/AAccuracy Rate: Not disclosed

We chose Google Assistant because it can help you accomplish a variety of tasks.

Google Assistant does a lot, including playing music and opening maps. One of its best features? Voice recognition. You can use voice command to look up information and tell Google Assistant to perform certain functions, but it can also convert speech to text.

  • Integrated into services you already use, such as email and messaging

  • Free to use

  • Not specifically designed for note-taking

  • Must use applets to boost note-taking abilities

The app sends messages, drafts emails, manages tasks, and adds events to your calendar. While it’s not a speech-to-text app in the purest sense, it will still help organize your ideas and notes with voice recognition.

Use IFTTT (If This Then That) to maximize your Google Assistant note-taking abilities. In one applet, Google Assistant can log all of your notes into a spreadsheet. You can also search IFTTT for other productivity-boosting applets or create your own as you see fit.  

Best for Transcription: Transcribe - Speech to Text

  • Price: $5 per hour of transcription, subscription options also availableFree Trial: 15 minutes of transcriptionAccuracy Rate: Not disclosed

Transcribe - Speech to Text offers you the opportunity to transcribe any voice or video file using the help of artificial intelligence.

Journalists or secretaries who have a lot of conversations to track may find this app useful. Using A.I., Transcribe can turn any voice or video memo into a transcription in over 120 different languages and dialects. After recording, you can drop your file in this app and export your raw text into another app such as DropBox.

  • Transcription available for over 120 languages and dialects

  • Easy-to-use software

  • Pricey

  • Only available for Apple products

Keep in mind that Transcribe is only available for Apple products with Voice Memo and video since there’s no direct in-app dictation. Transcribe can also get pricey. Users receive a free trial for 15 minutes of transcription. Every extra hour costs $5 and 10 hours costs $30, but there are also subscriptions available for frequent users.

Best for Long Recordings: Speechnotes - Speech to Text

  • Price: FreeFree Trial: N/AAccuracy Rate: 90 percent or better

We chose Speechnotes because it allows for extremely long recordings.

Writers who think faster than they can type will appreciate this app. Speechnotes is excellent for organizing long notes thanks to two special features. First of all, it doesn’t stop recording—even if you pause to think or breathe—so you can keep the recording open for as long as needed. Second, you can tap a button or use a verbal command to insert punctuation marks into your work so they won’t become too unwieldy.

  • Long recordings allowed

  • Can add in punctuation where needed

  • Free app

  • In-app advertisements as a free app

  • Only available in browser and on Android

The free app has a small ad banner, but you can upgrade to a premium version to get rid of it. Other perks: It won’t clog up your phone space at 4 MB, plus it saves all your recordings as TXT files. Plus, you won’t need to open the app to use it either; you can tap on a widget to access Speechnotes. Keep in mind that Speechnotes is only available on your browser and Android. 

Best for Notes: Voice Notes

We chose Voice Notes for its efficient layout to help you store notes.

Voice Notes has speech recognition that allows you to create notes efficiently. You can then organize your notes into categories and create reminders by customizing alerts synced with your phone calendar. The interface is intuitive and easy to use; simply press the microphone button and speak to record. You’ll even be able to make your notes with the phone screen turned off.

  • Recognizes 120 languages

  • Free app

  • Only available on Android phones

The app can recognize up to 120 languages, just in case you need to record notes in something other than English. The app is free, though you can subscribe to a premium plan to support the developer.

Of course, there are a few caveats. Voice Notes is a popular app, but the one major limitation is that it’s only available on Android phones. Plus, you need to have Google voice search installed to use it.

Best for Messages: SpeechTexter - Speech to Text

  • Price: FreeFree Trial: N/AAccuracy Rate: Better than 90 percent

SpeechTexter is a useful tool to help you draft texts, tweets, emails, and more with your voice. 

Need to send a quick message but find your hands occupied with other tasks? Here’s a quick solution. Using Google’s backend, SpeechTexter allows you to create SMS messages, text notes, emails, and tweets with your own voice. The easy-to-use app supports over 70 languages with an accuracy rate higher than 90 percent. You can customize your own commands for punctuation as well.

  • Desktop and android versions available

  • Over 70 languages supported

  • Customizable commands

  • Offline mode is less accurate

It’s possible to use the app when you’re not connected to the Internet, though keep in mind that the accuracy lowers in offline mode and the recognition speed depends on your Internet connectivity. To use the app offline, make sure that you install language packs of your preference.

Best for Translation: iTranslate Converse

  • Price: $5 per month or $40 per yearFree Trial: YesAccuracy Rate: Not disclosed

We chose iTranslate Converse because it is designed to help you translate languages on the go in noisy environments.

Brought to you by the same developers behind the popular iTranslate app, iTranslate Converse is as close to real-time translation as you’ll get, which is convenient if you need to communicate with clients who don’t speak the same language as you or if you’re traveling abroad. All you have to do is set the two languages. Then tap, hold, and speak into your phone.

  • Works well in noisy environments

  • Enables real-time communication with someone in another language

  • 38 languages recognized

  • Subscription fee

  • Unknown accuracy rate

The app will pick up on the language that you’re speaking, then issue out a translation—yes, even in noisy environments. The app is capable of recognizing 38 languages. After your conversation is done, you can download full transcriptions. It’s not always perfect, of course, but it’s faster than going through a personal assistant app to look up translations for you.

While it has a subscription fee, iTranslate won’t stretch your budget significantly. When you download it, you’ll receive a free trial. After that runs out, you’ll be upgraded to the pro version for $5 per month or $40 per year. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the trial to avoid being put on a paid membership.

Best for Niche Industry Terms: Braina

  • Price: $0-$399Free Trial: NoAccuracy Rate: Not disclosed

Briana can help you utilize voice-to-text in a jargon-filled industry.

Braina is a personal A.I. that you can use to communicate with your computer through your Android or IOS device. The program can convert your voice into text for any website or software program, including word processing ones. It recognizes most medical, legal, and scientific terms, which makes it ideal if you work in a niche industry with technical jargon. You can also teach Braina uncommon names and vocabulary with ease.

  • Personal A.I. builds to recognize your industry jargon

  • Over 100 languages recognized

  • May take some time to customize

Other than learning niche industry terms, Braina also has other helpful voice recognition features. For example, it can recognize over 100 different languages so that it can serve non-English users just as well. The program also includes convenient dictation commands for deleting, tabbing, and casing.

The app has many price tiers; there is a free version with limited access to features, while the pro version costs $79 per year or $399 for lifetime access (which often goes on sale for $199).

Final Verdict

Dragon Anywhere is our pick for the best overall voice-to-text app thanks to its streamlined tools, high accuracy rating, and easy synchronization with computers. The app costs a bit more than some other popular options, but discounts are available on annual subscriptions, and it has no limit on words.

As a bonus, Dragon Anywhere also allows users to customize their experience for specific industry lingo and other terms. This app is also accessible for both Android and iOS devices and features simple sharing options to multiple apps or email accounts.

Guide to Choosing a Voice-to-Text App

Not sure how to choose a voice-to-text app? Consider the following factors to select the best option for your needs:

  • Accuracy ratingAvailable languagesLimits on words or usagePricePlatform (Android or iOS)Exporting files TranslationCustomizable terms or industry language

Compare the Best Voice to Text Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Voice to Text App?

Dragon Anywhere is the best voice-to-text app on our list. This app is available for both Android and iOS users, has a high accuracy rating, and makes it easy to export files to your computer, email, or other apps.

What Is the Best Free Voice to Text App?

Speechnotes, Voice Notes, Google Assistant, and SpeechTexter are all great choices for free voice-to-text apps. Choose the best option for your specific needs based on maximum length of recording, available languages, and exporting options.

What Is the Best Way to Convert Voice to Text?

Voice-to-text apps and computer programs are both helpful ways to convert your voice to text. If you need to record notes on the go or away from your computer, a mobile app is likely best for you. On the other hand, some people prefer apps downloaded to their computers to take notes during meetings or classes.

What Is the Most Realistic Speech-to-Text?

Dragon Anywhere has the highest accuracy rating of voice-to-text apps compared in this list. Additionally, this app allows users to customize specific industry language and commonly used terms to make their transcriptions more realistic.

Methodology

To find the best voice-to-text apps we compiled a list of the most popular options available. Next, we took a closer look at several factors, including the price, free trial options, accuracy rates, and more. Finally, we decided which providers were best suited for what our readers need.

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