The 5 Best Dictation Software Apps for Writers [Free & Paid]

Writing

If you’re a writer, you probably have lots of ideas, tons of research, and little time to write it down. If that sounds like you, it might be a good idea to start using some of the best dictation software to help you out.

The good news is that many apps and devices can turn your spoken words into a writing journey, and they’re usually not too expensive. And these days, the technology is way better than it used to be.

On average, people can type about 30 words per minute, but with dictation software, you could “type” up to 150 words per minute. So, if you need help getting more words onto the page, now’s a great time to start using this technology in your writing routine. This article will explore the 5 best dictation Software Apps for Writers, Free, & Paid versions.

Dictation Software

Dictation software is a tool that listens to what you say and writes it down as you speak. For instance, think about when you talk to Siri on your iPhone. As you speak, your words appear on the screen. That’s what dictation software does.

But it’s important to understand that when we talk about dictation software, we’re not referring to things like Siri, Alexa, or Cortana. These virtual assistants can understand your voice commands, but they’re not explicitly designed to transcribe everything you say. They’re suitable for simple tasks like making lists but not for writing long pieces like books.

Some dictation software is a separate app for converting speech to text. Others are built into programs like Pages or Google Docs. If you speak too quickly, most dictation software won’t be able to keep up. It would help if you spoke slowly and clearly for it to transcribe what you’re saying accurately. For some people, using dictation software can slow them down because they have to speak carefully, disrupting their flow of ideas.

What Makes a Good Dictation App?

Dictation apps come in different types. Some are built into things you already use, while others are separate apps with extra features. Even though they may look different, here’s what I considered to find the best ones:

Accuracy:

It’s crucial that the app accurately transcribes what you say. The lowest accuracy score we accepted was 92%.

Ease of Use:

Most options are easy, so this wasn’t a big challenge. They’re designed so that anyone can understand them quickly.

Voice Commands:

You can give these instructions while speaking, such as adding punctuation or starting a new paragraph. Some apps even allow more complex commands, like capitalizing all the words in a sentence.

Language Options:

We checked which languages the app supports. Most of the ones we picked support many languages; some even support a lot.

Versatility:

We looked at how well the app works in different situations, with different apps, and on different systems. It’s essential that the app can adapt well to various circumstances.

Here is the list of 5 best dictation software apps

1. Apple Dictation

1. Cost: Free
2. Software requirements: Works only on Apple devices when connected to the internet
3. Accuracy: Pretty good, but it can improve if you let Apple record your Siri commands and dictation.
4. Languages: Supports multiple languages
5. Ease of use: Super easy; you can use it with a keyboard shortcut. It’s best for short bits of talking, like under 40 seconds. It can do basic stuff like adding commas and periods.

Apple Dictation is a simple and free tool for Apple users who want to add spoken words to their work, but it’s not great for long speeches or writing like non-fiction books.

It gets better at understanding you over time, but it needs the internet to work because it sends your voice to Apple to turn into text.

2. Google Docs Voice Dictating

1. Cost: Free
2. Software requirements: Only works in the Google Chrome browser
3. Accuracy: People say it’s pretty accurate. You can edit your document while still talking to improve accuracy. For instance, you can use this tool for manuscript editing services to increase productivity.
4. Languages: Supports multiple languages, but editing commands are in English only
5. Ease of use: Easy; you don’t need to download anything extra.

Google Docs Voice Dictating is good if you already use Google Docs for writing and want a free voice-to-text tool. You can talk for a long time and edit as you go.

3. Nuance Dragon Home

1. Cost: $200
2. Software requirements: Works on Windows 7, 8.1, and 10
3. Accuracy: Very accurate, up to 99%
4. Ease of use: You must download it first, but it’s easy. It even has a feature for playing back what you’ve dictated, which is great for writers.

This is one of the best voice-to-text tools. It’s accurate and works well with many Microsoft Word and Outlook programs. Many SEO blog writing agencies use this tool for time efficiency.

4. Braina Speech Recognition Software

1. Braina Lite: Free
2. Braina Pro: $199 for lifetime access or $79 per year
3. Software requirements: Works on many devices
4. Accuracy: Very accurate, up to 99%
5. Ease of use: Simple, but you must download it and sometimes update the software.

Braina has two versions: a free one called Braina Lite and a paid one called Braina Pro. The paid version has more languages available. It works on Android and Apple devices and can be used on any website.

5. Otter

1. Cost: Free for individuals, with the option to pay $9.99/month for more transcribing time
2. Software requirements: Needs the internet, work on computers and smartphones
3. Accuracy: Good, and it keeps getting better with AI technology
4. Ease of use: Easy, with real-time recording and a search feature.

Otter is good for transcribing research interviews or team meetings. It can also record audio and store it alongside the text. The text is saved in your Otter account, so you must download it to use it in other apps.

These dictation software applications are designed to assist writers in saving time. However, if you’re not keen on writing or lack the necessary skills, Ghost Writing Founders can utilize these tools as partners to aid you.

Conclusion

The diverse range of dictation software applications caters to writers’ varying needs, offering free and paid options. From enhancing productivity to improving accessibility, these top five tools provide valuable solutions for writers seeking efficient and effective means of converting speech to text.