speech to text app ipad

Best speech-to-text app of 2024

Free, paid and online voice recognition apps and services

Best overall

Best for business, best for mobile, best text service, best speech recognition, best virtual assistant, best for cloud, best for azure, best for batch conversion, best free speech to text apps, best mobile speech to text apps, how we test.

The best speech-to-text apps make it simple and easy to convert speech into text, for both desktop and mobile devices.

1. Best overall 2. Best for business 3. Best for mobile 4. Best text service 5. Best speech recognition 6. Best virtual assistant 7. Best for cloud 8. Best for Azure 9. Best for batch conversion 10. Best free speech to text apps 11. Best mobile speech to text apps 12. FAQs 13. How we test

Speech-to-text used to be regarded as very niche, specifically serving either people with accessibility needs or for  dictation . However, speech-to-text is moving more and more into the mainstream as office work can now routinely be completed more simply and easily by using voce-recognition software, rather than having to type through members, and speaking aloud for text to be recorded is now quite common.

While the best speech to text software used to be specifically only for desktops, the development of mobile devices and the explosion of easily accessible apps means that transcription can now also be carried out on a  smartphone  or  tablet . 

This has made the best voice to text applications increasingly valuable to users in a range of different environments, from education to business. This is not least because the technology has matured to the level where mistakes in transcriptions are relatively rare, with some services rightly boasting a 99.9% success rate from clear audio.

Even still, this applies mainly to ordinary situations and circumstances, and precludes the use of technical terminology such as required in legal or medical professions. Despite this, digital transcription can still service needs such as basic  note-taking  which can still be easily done using a phone app, simplifying the dictation process.

However, different speech-to-text programs have different levels of ability and complexity, with some using advanced machine learning to constantly correct errors flagged up by users so that they are not repeated. Others are downloadable software which is only as good as its latest update.

Here then are the best in speech-to-text recognition programs, which should be more than capable for most situations and circumstances.

We've also featured the best voice recognition software .

The best paid for speech to text apps of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Dragon Anywhere

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Dragon Anywhere is the Nuance mobile product for Android and iOS devices, however this is no ‘lite’ app, but rather offers fully-formed dictation capabilities powered via the cloud. 

So essentially you get the same excellent speech recognition as seen on the desktop software – the only meaningful difference we noticed was a very slight delay in our spoken words appearing on the screen (doubtless due to processing in the cloud). However, note that the app was still responsive enough overall.

It also boasts support for boilerplate chunks of text which can be set up and inserted into a document with a simple command, and these, along with custom vocabularies, are synced across the mobile app and desktop Dragon software. Furthermore, you can share documents across devices via Evernote or cloud services (such as Dropbox).

This isn’t as flexible as the desktop application, however, as dictation is limited to within Dragon Anywhere – you can’t dictate directly in another app (although you can copy over text from the Dragon Anywhere dictation pad to a third-party app). The other caveats are the need for an internet connection for the app to work (due to its cloud-powered nature), and the fact that it’s a subscription offering with no one-off purchase option, which might not be to everyone’s tastes.

Even bearing in mind these limitations, though, it’s a definite boon to have fully-fledged, powerful voice recognition of the same sterling quality as the desktop software, nestling on your phone or tablet for when you’re away from the office.

Nuance Communications offers a 7-day free trial to give the app a try before you commit to a subscription. 

Read our full Dragon Anywhere review .

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2. Dragon Professional

Should you be looking for a business-grade dictation application, your best bet is Dragon Professional. Aimed at pro users, the software provides you with the tools to dictate and edit documents, create spreadsheets, and browse the web using your voice.   

According to Nuance, the solution is capable of taking dictation at an equivalent typing speed of 160 words per minute, with a 99% accuracy rate – and that’s out-of-the-box, before any training is done (whereby the app adapts to your voice and words you commonly use).

As well as creating documents using your voice, you can also import custom word lists. There’s also an additional mobile app that lets you transcribe audio files and send them back to your computer.   

This is a powerful, flexible, and hugely useful tool that is especially good for individuals, such as professionals and freelancers, allowing for typing and document management to be done much more flexibly and easily.

Overall, the interface is easy to use, and if you get stuck at all, you can access a series of help tutorials. And while the software can seem expensive, it's just a one-time fee and compares very favorably with paid-for subscription transcription services.

Also note that Nuance are currently offering 12-months' access to Dragon Anywhere at no extra cost with any purchase of Dragon Home or Dragon Professional Individual.

Read our full Dragon Professional review .

Otter is a cloud-based speech to text program especially aimed for mobile use, such as on a laptop or smartphone. The app provides real-time transcription, allowing you to search, edit, play, and organize as required.

Otter is marketed as an app specifically for meetings, interviews, and lectures, to make it easier to take rich notes. However, it is also built to work with collaboration between teams, and different speakers are assigned different speaker IDs to make it easier to understand transcriptions.

There are three different payment plans, with the basic one being free to use and aside from the features mentioned above also includes keyword summaries and a wordcloud to make it easier to find specific topic mentions. You can also organize and share, import audio and video for transcription, and provides 600 minutes of free service.

The Premium plan also includes advanced and bulk export options, the ability to sync audio from Dropbox, additional playback speeds including the ability to skip silent pauses. The Premium plan also allows for up to 6,000 minutes of speech to text.

The Teams plan also adds two-factor authentication, user management and centralized billing, as well as user statistics, voiceprints, and live captioning.

Read our full Otter review .

Verbit aims to offer a smarter speech to text service, using AI for transcription and captioning. The service is specifically targeted at enterprise and educational establishments.

Verbit uses a mix of speech models, using neural networks and algorithms to reduce background noise, focus on terms as well as differentiate between speakers regardless of accent, as well as incorporate contextual events such as news and company information into recordings.

Although Verbit does offer a live version for transcription and captioning, aiming for a high degree of accuracy, other plans offer human editors to ensure transcriptions are fully accurate, and advertise a four hour turnaround time.

Altogether, while Verbit does offer a direct speech to text service, it’s possibly better thought of as a transcription service, but the focus on enterprise and education, as well as team use, means it earns a place here as an option to consider.

Read our full Verbit review .

5. Speechmatics

Speechmatics offers a machine learning solution to converting speech to text, with its automatic speech recognition solution available to use on existing audio and video files as well as for live use.

Unlike some automated transcription software which can struggle with accents or charge more for them, Speechmatics advertises itself as being able to support all major British accents, regardless of nationality. That way it aims to cope with not just different American and British English accents, but also South African and Jamaican accents.

Speechmatics offers a wider number of speech to text transcription uses than many other providers. Examples include taking call center phone recordings and converting them into searchable text or Word documents. The software also works with video and other media for captioning as well as using keyword triggers for management.

Overall, Speechmatics aims to offer a more flexible and comprehensive speech to text service than a lot of other providers, and the use of automation should keep them price competitive.

Read our full Speechmatics review .

6. Braina Pro

Braina Pro is speech recognition software which is built not just for dictation, but also as an all-round digital assistant to help you achieve various tasks on your PC. It supports dictation to third-party software in not just English but almost 90 different languages, with impressive voice recognition chops.

Beyond that, it’s a virtual assistant that can be instructed to set alarms, search your PC for a file, or search the internet, play an MP3 file, read an ebook aloud, plus you can implement various custom commands.

The Windows program also has a companion Android app which can remotely control your PC, and use the local Wi-Fi network to deliver commands to your computer, so you can spark up a music playlist, for example, wherever you happen to be in the house. Nifty.

There’s a free version of Braina which comes with limited functionality, but includes all the basic PC commands, along with a 7-day trial of the speech recognition which allows you to test out its powers for yourself before you commit to a subscription. Yes, this is another subscription-only product with no option to purchase for a one-off fee. Also note that you need to be online and have Google ’s Chrome browser installed for speech recognition functionality to work.

Read our full Braina Pro review .

7. Amazon Transcribe

Amazon Transcribe is as big cloud-based automatic speech recognition platform developed specifically to convert audio to text for apps. It especially aims to provide a more accurate and comprehensive service than traditional providers, such as being able to cope with low-fi and noisy recordings, such as you might get in a contact center .

Amazon Transcribe uses a deep learning process that automatically adds punctuation and formatting, as well as process with a secure livestream or otherwise transcribe speech to text with batch processing.

As well as offering time stamping for individual words for easy search, it can also identify different speaks and different channels and annotate documents accordingly to account for this.

There are also some nice features for editing and managing transcribed texts, such as vocabulary filtering and replacement words which can be used to keep product names consistent and therefore any following transcription easier to analyze.

Overall, Amazon Transcribe is one of the most powerful platforms out there, though it’s aimed more for the business and enterprise user rather than the individual.

8. Microsoft Azure Speech to Text

Microsoft 's Azure cloud service offers advanced speech recognition as part of the platform's speech services to deliver the Microsoft Azure Speech to Text functionality. 

This feature allows you to simply and easily create text from a variety of audio sources. There are also customization options available to work better with different speech patterns, registers, and even background sounds. You can also modify settings to handle different specialist vocabularies, such as product names, technical information, and place names.

The Microsoft's Azure Speech to Text feature is powered by deep neural network models and allows for real-time audio transcription that can be set up to handle multiple speakers.

As part of the Azure cloud service, you can run Azure Speech to Text in the cloud, on premises, or in edge computing. In terms of pricing, you can run the feature in a free container with a single concurrent request for up to 5 hours of free audio per month.

Read our full Microsoft Azure Speech to Text review .

9. IBM Watson Speech to Text

IBM's Watson Speech to Text works is the third cloud-native solution on this list, with the feature being powered by AI and machine learning as part of IBM's cloud services.

While there is the option to transcribe speech to text in real-time, there is also the option to batch convert audio files and process them through a range of language, audio frequency, and other output options.

You can also tag transcriptions with speaker labels, smart formatting, and timestamps, as well as apply global editing for technical words or phrases, acronyms, and for number use.

As with other cloud services Watson Speech to Text allows for easy deployment both in the cloud and on-premises behind your own firewall to ensure security is maintained.

Read our full Watson Speech to Text review .

1. Google Gboard

If you already have an Android mobile device, then if it's not already installed then download Google Keyboard from the Google Play store and you'll have an instant text-to-speech app. Although it's primarily designed as a keyboard for physical input, it also has a speech input option which is directly available. And because all the power of Google's hardware is behind it, it's a powerful and responsive tool.

If that's not enough then there are additional features. Aside from physical input ones such as swiping, you can also trigger images in your text using voice commands. Additionally, it can also work with Google Translate, and is advertised as providing support for over 60 languages.

Even though Google Keyboard isn't a dedicated transcription tool, as there are no shortcut commands or text editing directly integrated, it does everything you need from a basic transcription tool. And as it's a keyboard, it means should be able to work with any software you can run on your Android smartphone, so you can text edit, save, and export using that. Even better, it's free and there are no adverts to get in the way of you using it.

2. Just Press Record

If you want a dedicated dictation app, it’s worth checking out Just Press Record. It’s a mobile audio recorder that comes with features such as one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing across devices. The great thing is that it’s aimed at pretty much anyone and is extremely easy to use. 

When it comes to recording notes, all you have to do is press one button, and you get unlimited recording time. However, the really great thing about this app is that it also offers a powerful transcription service. 

Through it, you can quickly and easily turn speech into searchable text. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can then edit it from within the app. There’s support for more than 30 languages as well, making it the perfect app if you’re working abroad or with an international team. Another nice feature is punctuation command recognition, ensuring that your transcriptions are free from typos.   

This app is underpinned by cloud technology, meaning you can access notes from any device (which is online). You’re able to share audio and text files to other iOS apps too, and when it comes to organizing them, you can view recordings in a comprehensive file. 

3. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is yet another easy to use dictation app. A useful touch here is that you don’t need to create an account or anything like that; you just open up the app and press on the microphone icon, and you’re off.   

The app is powered by Google voice recognition tech. When you’re recording a note, you can easily dictate punctuation marks through voice commands, or by using the built-in punctuation keyboard. 

To make things even easier, you can quickly add names, signatures, greetings and other frequently used text by using a set of custom keys on the built-in keyboard. There’s automatic capitalization as well, and every change made to a note is saved to the cloud.

When it comes to customizing notes, you can access a plethora of fonts and text sizes. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store , but you can make in-app purchases to access premium features (there's also a browser version for Chrome).   

Read our full Speechnotes review .

4. Transcribe

Marketed as a personal assistant for turning videos and voice memos into text files, Transcribe is a popular dictation app that’s powered by AI. It lets you make high quality transcriptions by just hitting a button.   

The app can transcribe any video or voice memo automatically, while supporting over 80 languages from across the world. While you can easily create notes with Transcribe, you can also import files from services such as Dropbox.

Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can export the raw text to a word processor to edit. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to make an in-app purchase if you want to make the most of these features in the long-term. There is a trial available, but it’s basically just 15 minutes of free transcription time. Transcribe is only available on iOS, though.   

5. Windows Speech Recognition

If you don’t want to pay for speech recognition software, and you’re running Microsoft’s latest desktop OS, then you might be pleased to hear that speech-to-text is built into Windows.

Windows Speech Recognition, as it’s imaginatively named – and note that this is something different to Cortana, which offers basic commands and assistant capabilities – lets you not only execute commands via voice control, but also offers the ability to dictate into documents.

The sort of accuracy you get isn’t comparable with that offered by the likes of Dragon, but then again, you’re paying nothing to use it. It’s also possible to improve the accuracy by training the system by reading text, and giving it access to your documents to better learn your vocabulary. It’s definitely worth indulging in some training, particularly if you intend to use the voice recognition feature a fair bit.

The company has been busy boasting about its advances in terms of voice recognition powered by deep neural networks, especially since windows 10 and now for Windows 11 , and Microsoft is certainly priming us to expect impressive things in the future. The likely end-goal aim is for Cortana to do everything eventually, from voice commands to taking dictation.

Turn on Windows Speech Recognition by heading to the Control Panel (search for it, or right click the Start button and select it), then click on Ease of Access, and you will see the option to ‘start speech recognition’ (you’ll also spot the option to set up a microphone here, if you haven’t already done that).

Aside from what has already been covered above, there are an increasing number of apps available across all mobile devices for working with speech to text, not least because Google's speech recognition technology is available for use. 

iTranslate Translator  is a speech-to-text app for iOS with a difference, in that it focuses on translating voice languages. Not only does it aim to translate different languages you hear into text for your own language, it also works to translate images such as photos you might take of signs in a foreign country and get a translation for them. In that way, iTranslate is a very different app, that takes the idea of speech-to-text in a novel direction, and by all accounts, does it well. 

ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes  is another speech-to-text app that uses Google's speech recognition software, but this time does a more comprehensive job of integrating it with a note-taking program than many other apps. The text notes you record are searchable, and you can import/export with other text applications. Additionally there is a password protection option, which encrypts notes after the first 20 characters so that the beginning of the notes are searchable by you. There's also an organizer feature for your notes, using category or assigned color. The app is free on Android, but includes ads.

Voice Notes  is a simple app that aims to convert speech to text for making notes. This is refreshing, as it mixes Google's speech recognition technology with a simple note-taking app, so there are more features to play with here. You can categorize notes, set reminders, and import/export text accordingly.

SpeechTexter  is another speech-to-text app that aims to do more than just record your voice to a text file. This app is built specifically to work with social media, so that rather than sending messages, emails, Tweets, and similar, you can record your voice directly to the social media sites and send. There are also a number of language packs you can download for offline working if you want to use more than just English, which is handy.

Also consider reading these related software and app guides:

• Best text-to-speech software
• Best transcription services
• Best Bluetooth headsets

Which speech-to-text app is best for you?

When deciding which speech-to-text app to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as free and budget  options may only provide basic features, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid-for platform is better suited to you. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your speech-to-text app.

To test for the best speech-to-text apps we first set up an account with the relevant platform, then we tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each speech-to-text platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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Brian has over 30 years publishing experience as a writer and editor across a range of computing, technology, and marketing titles. He has been interviewed multiple times for the BBC and been a speaker at international conferences. His specialty on techradar is Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, covering everything from office suites to IT service tools. He is also a science fiction and fantasy author, published as Brian G Turner.

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VoxRec - Voice to Text Transcription for iPhone/iPad/Apple Watch

Record and transcribe your meetings into text - instantly.

VoxRec is a voice recorder with built-in speech to text service. It uses state of the art AI to convert your voice memos into written notes. Automatically delivered to your Inbox or your cloud folder.

Available for iPhone, iPad, & Apple Watch

High-accuracy speech to text from just $0.07/min

How often do you forget important details or a great idea? Whether it’s a fast-paced meeting, doctor consultation or random creative ideas - record them as voice memo, review them as text. Save Time. Save Money.

Why people transcribe with VoxRec

Over 40,000 professionals use our app to save time in their work. We asked a few to tell us how they use the voice to text features. This is what they said...

Project Manager

Jonathan H.

University Professor

Personal / Legal Assistant

Health Care / Doctor

Creative Writer

Meditation Coach

United States

United Kingdom

I tried many voice-to-text apps until I found VoxRec. Now I use the app to transcribe every meeting. My meetings take up to two hours, are fast-paced with a lot of action points. VoxRec helps me produce more accurate and timely meeting minutes.

Download our voice to text app and transcribe 30 minutes free!

Get a complimentary 30 minutes of speech-to-text service when you register.

More than a transcription app

Productivity features will help you work with your recordings and transcriptions to achieve even more than ever before in the same time.

Transcript via Email

Within minutes.

Your voice memos are transcribed and automatically delivered to your email in a jiffy

Always Secure

Always synced.

All meetings, notes, voice memos and transcripts backed up to your cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive)

Industry Leading

A.i. transcription.

Transcription by human takes hours. Get more out of your interactions and meetings by letting VoxRec transcribe your discussions.

VoxRec app is FREE to download. Our recording features are completely FREE. We offer monthly subscriptions or pay as you go options for the speech-to-text service.

Playback highlight

Follow the speaker and the discussion with visual word highlight during playback. Tap at any word to start playback.

Format & Edit

Add notes to recordings, edit transcripts, format or highlight text directly on your iPhone or iPad.

Tag important time

When discussion turns serious, mark important moments in the recording. Return to them with one tap.

Backup & Sync

Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud. Your recordings and transcripts will be securely archived.

30 minutes FREE of speech to text

Appstore reviews.

With thousands of ratings and hundreds of reviews worldwide, we have selected a few that best represent the experience of our app and the transcription service.

Huge timesaver

I love this app. It’s great for on-the-go thoughts. You can record a to-do list, compose an email, write a paper, and so much more! You just record your voice and it transcribes it for you!

Love this app!

This works great for drafting a novel. I can record, the app transcribes and then emails it to me! If the app gets it wrong and I can’t remember what I said it’s super easy to go back in the transcription and listen to the right spot.

Very powerful

I’ve been looking for an app like this. I often get frustrated with listening to voice recordings because a lot of recordings are filled with parts that are not relevant to me. The transcription feature helps me to skip back and forth. This helps me focus on important parts and save time. Lots of other useful features too.

Einfache UI zum Audio aufnehmen

Mit der App kann man einfach etwas aufnehmen und automatisch transkribieren lassen. Das spart Zeit. Man kann den Text selektieren und dann genau zu der Stelle in der Aufnahme springen. Praktisch!

Funktioniert auch in Deutsch

Es ist das erste mal das ich solch eine App verwende und ich finde sie sehr hilfreich. Ich denke ich werde sie in Zukunft in Meetings einsetzen um ein Protokoll anzufertigen und meine spontanen Gedanken festzuhalten. Die App funktioniert auch in Deutsch hervorragend. Das finde ich klasse weil viele Apps auf Englisch optimiert sind.

Saves so much time! Allows me to achieve what I otherwise wouldn’t due to ptsd and not being able to relive and express experiences slowly which happens if typing out. This way I can just speak it and it’s less difficult and less anxiety promoting. Great app, need to speak clearly of course and a little editing here and there is likely but it’s worth having definitely.

Transformational

Really getting a lot out of this app. Using it mainly to record and transcribe meetings. The accuracy is actually quite scary, and I find it allows me to focus more on the meeting knowing I will have a full transcript to refer back to. Really recommend it.

My go to Voice App

I try various Apps and then pick the best of the bunch. This is it. I’m even adding Podcasts and Screencastify audio here to listen back. Excellent. Recommended!

Straordinaria!

Quest’app mi ha facilitato con lo studio universitario, è molto facile da usare, la trascrizione è ottima e ha addirittura la funzione di segnare in tempo reale i momenti più importante della registrazione. Buonissima!

Registratore vocale e trascrizione vocale

Facile da usare, possibilità di salvare le registrazioni sui cloud e precisa trascrizione. Davvero un’ottima app! Dopo l’aggiornamento è ancora più precisa e veloce!

Say it like you mean it

We welcome all your feedback, chit-chat or suggestions. Don’t be shy, say hi!

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The 8 Best Voice-to-Text Apps of 2024

Dragon Anywhere is the best overall voice-to-text app

Stacey has worn many hats throughout her writing career, working in content marketing, nonprofit communications, and journalism at different points in her life.

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

In This Article

Best Voice-to-Text Apps of 2024

Final verdict.

• Compare Options
• Guide to Choosing Apps

Methodology

Getty Images / RapidEye-izabell

Voice-to-text apps can be helpful for accessibility needs and busy professionals alike. If you’re always on the go, transcribing interview notes, or you can think faster than you can write, these special programs can increase your efficiency and store the recordings safely and sound via the cloud. Depending on your needs, you can 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 critical factors, and some options perform much better than others in this area. These apps are becoming more mainstream, from basic software to advanced technology. 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 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.

Dragon Anywhere

• Price: $15 per month or $150 per year
• Free Trial: One week
• Accuracy 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

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

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.

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.

Google Assistant

• Price: Free
• Free Trial: N/A
• Accuracy Rate: Not disclosed

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

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

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.

The app sends messages, manages tasks, and sets reminders. 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

Transcribe - Speech to Text

• Price: $5 per hour of transcription, subscription options also available
• Free Trial: 15 minutes of transcription

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

Transcription available for over 120 languages and dialects

Easy-to-use software

Only available for Apple products

Journalists or executive assistants 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.

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

Speechnotes - Speech to Text

• Accuracy Rate: 90 percent or better

We chose Speechnotes because it allows for extremely long recordings.

Long recordings allowed

Can add in punctuation where needed

In-app advertisements as a free app

Only available in browser and on Android

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.

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. 

Voice Notes

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

Recognizes 120 languages

Only available on Android phones

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.

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

SpeechTexter - Speech to Text

• Accuracy Rate: Better than 90 percent

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

Desktop and android versions available

Over 70 languages supported

Customizable commands

Offline mode is less accurate

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 text notes, emails, and reports 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.

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.

iTranslate Converse

• Price: $6 per month or $50 per year
• Free Trial: Yes

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

Works well in noisy environments

Enables real-time communication with someone in another language

38 languages recognized

Subscription fee

Unknown accuracy rate

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.

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 $6 per month or $50 per year. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the trial to avoid being put on a paid membership.

• Price: $0-$399
• Free Trial: No
• Accuracy Rate: 99%

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

Personal A.I. builds to recognize your industry jargon

Over 100 languages recognized

May take some time to customize

Braina is a personal A.I. for Windows P.C.s with companion Android and IOS apps. The program can convert your voice into text for any website or software program, including a word processor. 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.

Braina has other helpful voice recognition features besides learning niche industry terms. For example, it can recognize over 100 languages to serve non-English users. The program also includes convenient dictation commands for deleting, tabbing, and casing.

The app has a few 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).

Dragon Anywhere is our pick for the best overall voice-to-text app thanks to its streamlined tools, high accuracy rating, and accessible computer synchronization. The app costs a bit more than 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 Android and iOS devices and features simple sharing options to multiple apps or email accounts.

Compare the Best Voice to Text Apps

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 rating
• Available languages
• Limits on words or usage
• Platform (Android or iOS)
• Exporting files
• Translation
• Customizable terms or industry language

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.

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 needed.

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The 6 Best Speech-to-Text Apps for Note-Taking

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Whether you're taking meeting minutes, interviewing someone, or researching for a project, speech-to-text apps are an excellent tool that saves time. Both students and professionals can benefit from using an app that provides speech-to-text functionality.

You can use some apps in the list below in your browser, or you can use them in an app on your phone. Depending on what you want to do with the transcribed notes, some apps may be more valuable than others. You can find the apps on Android and iOS, so your options aren't limited depending on your phone.

1. Dragon Anywhere

Dragon Anywhere provides you with dictation capabilities without any word limits. Suppose you've had bad experiences with talk-to-text apps transcribing your audio incorrectly. You don't have to worry about that with Dragon Anywhere since it has 99% accuracy with powerful voice formatting and editing.

You can use the Train Words feature to teach Dragon Anywhere how you speak. Once you have your audio transcribed, you can share your documents by email, Dropbox, and other apps. The app doesn't limit the length of your documents. You can easily adjust formatting, edit them quickly, and share them on the most common cloud-sharing platforms.

Dragon Anywhere allows you to add custom words for industry-specific terminology for better dictation accuracy. The platform has solid voice formatting and editing options, including selecting words and sentences for deletion or editing.

You can save time crafting emails and dictating your text. You can open your dictation files in Microsoft Word or save your dictation to Evernote as a new note. Furthermore, you can change between Dragon Anywhere and your desktop to complete documents. The app allows you to dictate on multiple mobile devices, as long as you log in to your accounts and synchronize all your customizations.

Download : Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases)

Gboard is a platform that accurately converts audio to text with an API (application programming interface) powered by the best of Google's AI technology and research. You can access Gboard using Google Assistant, and the app transcribes your speech with accurate captions. You benefit from Google's advanced intense learning neural network algorithms in its automatic speech recognition.

You can test the app's Teach Speak-to-Text user interface to manage and create custom resources, such as standard industry terms and acronyms. One of Gboard's key features is its speech adaptation, which provides hints to improve your transcription accuracy of unique words or phrases. The feature uses classes to automatically convert spoken numbers into currencies, addresses, and years.

You can use Gboard to dictate emails, create Google Docs, and in any other app on your phone. You can transcribe video meetings to take meeting minutes. Gboard offers robust language support in over 125 languages and variations. If you're in a noisy room, the app's speech-to-text can handle the audio without needing any noise cancellation.

You can transcribe audio the app receives from the audio on your device's microphone, or you can upload pre-recorded audio from the cloud or your device. You may be interested in learning how to transcribe speech in real-time with Google Translate .

Download : Android | iOS (Free)

3. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is available as a mobile app and a web service. The online version of the platform works in your Chrome browser, so you don't have to download any programs—the company endeavors to provide the best online dictation tool. The app's creators designed it to provide an environment without distractions. The app simulates a blank sheet of white paper to spark your mind.

The app is free, and the creators claim that the accuracy is comparable to Dragon Anywhere. If you're looking for an app that allows you to use voice control other apps, Speechnotes isn't the app you're looking for, and the app is strictly a dictation app.

Features of Speechnotes include Autosave, which saves the document in real time when you make changes, so you don't have to interrupt yourself. You can save your transcription in Google Drive or download it as a document to your computer to email or print your note.

Data from Speechnotes shows that speaking instead of typing allows you to think and talk it out uninterrupted, which supports creative thinking, which is good for content creators. If you have a podcast, you might be interested in what Descript is and how you use it .

Download : Android (Free, in-app purchases)

4. Transkriptor

Transkriptor can convert audio recorded on your device or audio you've uploaded in minutes. When your transcription is ready, you get a notification on your phone, if you allow it, and receive an email.

You can transcribe interviews, video content, meetings, podcasts, and phone calls. You can save time and money using a transcription app to convert audio to text. Before talk-to-text apps, you had to hire someone to listen to audio and make notes, and now you can take advantage of the technology advancements.

Regardless of your profession, if you need to make notes, you can benefit from using Transkriptor. Whether you're a journalist, academic researcher, student, or lawyer, as long as you have to take notes, you can use the app to improve your efficiency.

You can download the text in various formats, such as SRT, TXT, or Microsoft Word, to share the text with others. To make your videos more accessible, you can create subtitles when you convert your event recordings to text. You might be interested in working with closed captions and transcriptions in Adobe Premiere .

Braina is another dictation application with speech recognition software that converts your voice into text on any website or software. For example, you can dictate in Microsoft Word or Notepad. The platform supports over 100 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, French, Spanish, Hindi, German, and English. The app is easy, fast, and accurate, helping you be more productive.

Braina is an app you can use to control your computer. You can customize your voice commands and replies to automatically launch any software, open a website, or trigger keyboard macros utilizing the app to interact with your computer via Wi-Fi from anywhere in your home.

The app goes beyond the functionality of Siri and Cortana, providing you with a powerful office productivity tool. Braina is the result of solid research the creators did in the artificial intelligence industry. Like a human brain, the app is a digital assistant that can think, understand, and learn from experience.

Otter can take notes, record meetings, and generate text that you can share. If staff need to miss meetings to meet deadlines, you can record meetings and share notes to keep members in the loop.

You can capture all your important meetings and conversations, whether they take place in person or virtually. Otter assistant integrates with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. You can save the transcriptions in a secure, central, and accessible place.

Otter allows you to customize the app's vocabulary, including names and acronyms. It doesn't matter where you are; you can record and transcribe conversations in person, on your phone, or via video.

Otter for business allows you to connect with your Google or Microsoft Calendar and automatically schedule your Otter assistant to join Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams meetings. You can pay more attention to the discussion when you know the app is recording it, and it notes everything participants say. You may be interested in learning about the best tools for transcribing video meetings to shareable documents ​​​​​.

Are You Ready to Increase Your Efficiency?

Once you find a talk-to-text app that works for you, you can take advantage of the functionality to save time on minute-taking and researching topics. Some apps allow you to control your laptop or desktop computer from your phone, as long as you connect your device to your Wi-Fi network.

You can try different apps to see which one you feel more comfortable with. Depending on what you want to use the app to achieve, you can find an app that you can use to take notes, write emails, and write documents.

• Productivity
• Speech to Text
• Speech Recognition

The Best Dictation and Speech-to-Text Apps for Writers (2024)

by Guest Blogger | 0 comments

If you're more comfortable talking through your ideas than typing them out, you may want to try one of these speech to text apps for writers. Dictation and transcription provide quick solutions for everything from working through interviews to recording story ideas and chapters. Check out our guide by guest writer Jamie Biggs and see which one is the best fit for you! 

Welcome to one of our favorite community members and writers Jamie Biggs who loves to use dictation as she writes. You can read more about Jamie at the end of her article, and for a full run-down of the Best Book Writing Software, see our post here . 

What is dictation software?

Dictation software is a type of speech-to-text technology that allows you to create written documents without having to type or write them out. The voice recognition software converts your speech into text and then saves the document in an easily shareable format.

It’s perfect for writers, students, and professionals who need to get their ideas down quickly. With dictation software, you can save yourself time by speaking your thoughts rather than writing them out.

Why use dictation?

Want an edge in writing? I gave speech-to-text dictation a try, and find it’s a must-have for anyone who wants to up their creativity game and work smarter.

Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, prepping interview transcripts for ghostwriting, or just trying to get your ideas out of your head fast, dictation software can expedite the process.

Many people find it easier to express their thoughts and ideas aloud, and speaking is quicker than typing (in most cases). It's perfect for writers who want to record their story ideas, and it can also be a useful tool to overcome writer’s block. When you’re having trouble organizing your thoughts, speaking those ideas instead of facing a blank page can be helpful.

Dictation is also an effective way to decrease physical strain. Typing for long periods can lead to physical discomfort or repetitive strain injuries. If you're spending hours behind a keyboard, consider trying it out. Dictation software provides an alternative method of text input, helping to ease strain on the fingers, hands, and wrists.

And of course, the convenience of writing on the go. Dictation software on mobile devices allows you to capture ideas or notes while on the move without needing to stop and type. We can capture writing during a walk outside, commuting to and from work, or even while waiting in line at a gas station using an app on your phone. 

Features of a strong dictation app

There are a few features that I looked at when testing these apps out. Here are the features I found most important: 

Accuracy: The most critical factor in any dictation app is its ability to accurately convert spoken words to written text. A great app needs accurate voice recognition for diverse accents and speech styles.

Real-time Transcription: Real-time transcription can provide writers with instant feedback on their dictation, enabling them to identify areas where they need to improve their writing skills.

Punctuation and Formatting: An app’s punctuation and formatting controls can make it possible for you to speak naturally without naming each punctuation mark.

Customization: The ability to control saving, sharing, and navigating through voice commands is available on some dictation apps. Customization options, such as language models or personalized dictionaries, can also improve accuracy. Adding an unusual name or unfamiliar word to your personalized dictionary will save you editing time.

Let's take a look at the best dictation apps I tried for writers. Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. 

The best dictation apps for writers:

Dragon naturally speaking (dragon professional individual).

Dragon NaturallySpeaking (now called Dragon Professional Individual) has been a leading force in the speech-to-text software market for a long time. The tool provides high accuracy, advanced punctuation and formatting options, support for multiple languages, and can be easily integrated with writing tools.

Initially, there is a learning curve for using this software. You will need time to train it to recognize your voice and speech patterns accurately. Learning how to use voice commands effectively can also take time.

Nuance Communications, the makers of Dragon NaturallySpeaking no longer supports iOS. They offer it for Windows only. However, they have an Apple application called Dragon Anywhere Mobile that is available on both iOS and Android devices. It is a scaled-down version of the Windows application.

I don't have a Windows PC and have not used the Dragon Professional Individual version for Windows. However, I use the Dragon Anywhere Mobile App on my iPad Pro.

The menu is easy to navigate and aside from a couple of missed words, it does a good job transcribing my voice.

Dragon is a little pricey compared to the other apps, but its level of accuracy and customization options might make it an investment worth making as a writer.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking – single user license Price: $699.00

Dragon Anywhere Mobile App Price: $150 yearly subscription or $15 monthly subscription

Here are some of the main pros and cons for the Dragon Apps: 

Otter.ai transcribes speech in real-time, making note-taking easy during interviews, or brainstorming sessions. Writers can easily record and organize content with this feature and not forget important details.

Otter.ai integrates with writing apps, allowing easy transfer of transcribed text. Writers can keep their writing workflow while using speech-to-text technology for productivity and creativity.

You can access Otter.ai by visiting their website (otter.ai) using a web browser on your computer. It is also available for both iOS and Android devices.

I found Otter.ai to be user-friendly, and it accurately transcribed speech. It automatically added punctuation, and did not require me to give punctuation commands as I dictated. 

The app added a time stamp with every start and stop. It was designed for meeting transcription and can identify multiple speakers within the meeting.

Writer’s will need to copy and paste the transcribed text into an editing software application to edit and remove the time stamps. If you are on a budget, the Basic subscription is a great place to start.

Otter.ai is available as a monthly or annual subscription based on monthly transcription minutes. BASIC – 300 monthly transcription minutes; 30 minutes per conversation. Price: Free

PRO – 1200 monthly transcription minutes: 90 minutes per conversation. Price: $99.99 yearly subscription or $16.99 monthly subscription

Otter.ai is a strong place to start if you're new to speech-to-text apps, as you can try those free features before committing to the larger subscription. 

Speechnotes

Speechnotes offers a user-friendly interface for quick and effortless dictation. Real-time transcription provides instant feedback, improving productivity and usability.

This website application was easy to navigate allowing me to immediately jump in and begin. You have the option to speak punctuation as you go, or to go back and insert by clicking the needed punctuation from the side menu.

You can dictate offline with Speechnotes, but with limitations. Multiple languages are supported, catering to diverse backgrounds and accommodating native language dictation.

It also offers a few ways to move your newly transcribed document from the dictation screen to upload into a Google Doc, Word Doc, or txt file. It also gives you the option to email or print your work from the same screen.

I liked this app. If you get past the ads at the bottom of the screen, then the price is definitely right.  But if ads are bothersome for you, the Premium subscription is very affordable.

Speechnotes Plans Dictation – Online dictation notepad and voice typing Chrome extension Price: Free

Dictation Premium – Premium online dictation notepad and voice typing Chrome extension. Support from the development team. No Ads. Price: $1.90 per month

Transcription – Pay as you go – no subscription Audio & Video recordings. $0.10 per minute of audio

Google Docs Voice Typing

Google Docs Voice Typing is a built-in feature of Google Docs that offers real-time transcription, offline support, and extensive language options. It also integrates seamlessly with Google's productivity suite, making it a convenient choice for writers who use Google Workspace.

Google Docs Voice Typing is a built-in feature of Google Docs, available to all Google account users at no additional cost. It's easily accessible and user-friendly for Google Docs users.

The feature transcribes spoken words into text in real-time.

Text-to-Speech with Google Voice is easy to set up from the Google Docs file menu. Select “tools” from the menu bar, and select “voice typing” from the drop down.

It is simple to use. click the microphone to start and stop transcribing. Google Voice Typing accurately transcribed for me, but required me to give punctuation voice commands which slowed the process, but you can even dictate and apply text styles using voice commands.

If you regularly use Google Docs for writing, this is can be easily added to your work in progress.

Google Docs Voice Typing Price: Free with any Google account

The price is right for this one, but it doesn't have the additional features or accuracy and sensitivity as some of the other paid app services. 

Apple Pages Dictation

Apple Pages Dictation offers users a hands-free writing experience with real-time transcription. It supports multiple languages and dialects.

There is some set-up required in order to utilize speech to text on Apple Pages. You will need to access settings from your Apple menu, click keyboard settings and turn on Dictation. Once this is completed, voice transcription is activated by double tapping the control key on the keyboard.

It has basic punctuation command capabilities like adding a comma or period. But it was not able to add a new paragraph or new line on command. I had to stop and add the new line manually and then restart by double clicking the control key again.

If you are testing the waters with speech to text, this is an option worth experimenting with if you are an Apple user. Pages comes with every Apple system.

Apple Dictation Price: Included in all Apple Devices

What is transcription?

Transcription and dictation are two related yet distinct processes. While dictation involves directly speaking into a program that instantly converts your words into text on the page, transcription follows a slightly different path.

For transcription, you provide the app with an audio file, which it then meticulously transcribes, transforming spoken content into written form. 

Why use transcription?

Using a transcription service offers a straightforward and user-friendly alternative voice recognition software. Transcription services eliminate the need to memorize and execute specific voice commands for punctuation, formatting, and editing. Instead, you simply upload your audio files, and the service handles the transcription process, delivering accurate written content.

This approach is particularly advantageous for individuals who may not be comfortable with or have the time to master complex voice commands. Transcription services cater to a wide range of users, including those without technical expertise. The process is as simple as submitting an audio file and receiving a transcribed text in return.

In contrast, mastering speech-to-text commands requires familiarization with a set of commands, which might vary across different platforms or software. It involves a learning curve that might not align with everyone's preferences or requirements.

Ultimately, utilizing a transcription service streamlines the process, making it accessible to users of varying technical skill levels. It allows individuals to focus on content creation, without the need to navigate intricate command structures, resulting in a smoother and more efficient transcription experience.

Do you need any special recording equipment?

In most cases, special recording equipment isn't necessary for using voice dictation and transcription. Modern voice dictation software is designed to work with the built-in microphones of devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets. These microphones are generally sufficient for capturing your spoken words accurately. However, if you're in an environment with significant background noise, using an external microphone or a noise-canceling headset can improve the accuracy of the transcription.

For professionals who require high-quality recordings, such as podcasters or journalists conducting interviews, investing in a good-quality external microphone might be beneficial to ensure clear and crisp audio. Additionally, using a quiet environment without excessive ambient noise can enhance the accuracy of voice dictation.

Ultimately, while specialized recording equipment can enhance the quality of your recordings, it's not a strict requirement. 

The best transcription services for writers

Writers are increasingly turning to transcription services as invaluable tools to streamline their work processes and enhance productivity. Here are four online transcription services, features and benefits to consider.

Rev is a popular transcription service that provides accurate and quick transcription for audio and video files. They offer human-generated transcriptions and have options for different turnaround times.

Rev's interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate. select the type of order you would like to place and then upload your file.

Rev Services Pricing:

TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe offers both automated and human-powered transcription services. They specialize in providing accurate transcriptions for various industries.

Uploading an audio file was simple and straightforward, drag and drop.

TranscribeMe Services Pricing:

Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe offers both automated and human-assisted transcription services. They also provide options for translating transcripts into different languages.

The website is easy to navigate and upload your audio file. They offer the first 5 minutes of your audio file transcribed for free, giving you an opportunity to test drive their service.

Happy Scribe Pricing:

Scribie is another transcription service that offers human-generated transcriptions. They focus on providing accurate transcriptions and offer a variety of turnaround options.

 I have used Scribie for my own transcription needs and found the service quick and accurate. The have recently changed their pricing to a flat rate for human verified transcripts, no longer offering the AI transcribed files option. 

Scribie pricing:

Useful tips for dictation or transcription

By following these tips, you can make your dictation and transcription processes more efficient and accurate, ensuring that your spoken content is accurately transformed into written text.

Dictation tips

• Speak Clearly and Calmly : Enunciate your words clearly and speak at a moderate pace. Avoid speaking too fast or mumbling to ensure accurate transcription.
• Punctuation and Formatting Commands : Learn and use voice commands for punctuation (“period,” “comma,” “new line”) and formatting (“bold,” “italics”) to maintain proper structure in your text.
• Practice Makes Perfect : Familiarize yourself with the voice recognition system's response time and accuracy by practicing dictation with shorter passages before tackling longer content.
• Break Down Complex Sentences : For complex sentences, break them into smaller, manageable phrases to enhance accuracy.
• Proofread and Edit : After dictating, proofread and edit the transcribed text for any errors or discrepancies that might have occurred during dictation.
• Minimize Background Noise : Choose a quiet environment to reduce background noise that could interfere with accurate transcription.

Transcription tips

• Use Quality Audio : Provide clear and high-quality audio file recordings for accurate transcription. Minimize background noise and ensure the speakers' voices are distinct.
• Speaker Identification : If multiple speakers are involved, indicate speaker changes or use timestamps to differentiate speakers during transcription.
• Provide Context : Give transcribers context by sharing any relevant information about the subject, speakers, or terminology used in the recording.
• Accent and Jargon Awareness : If you have an accent or are using industry-specific jargon, consider using a transcription service or software that's familiar with these nuances.
• Review and Edit : After receiving the transcription, review and edit it for any errors or inconsistencies. Sometimes, context-based errors can occur.
• Time Management : Transcribing can be time-consuming. Consider using transcription services or software to expedite the process, especially for longer recordings.
• Backup and Security : Keep your audio recordings secure and backed up to prevent loss of valuable content.
• Regular Breaks : If you're transcribing for extended periods, take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and maintain accuracy.

Speech to text apps for writers can be incredibly useful tools, allowing them to quickly transcribe their spoken words into written form. By following these simple tips, you can make sure that your dictation and transcription processes are more efficient and accurate.

Pick a favorite paragraph or scene from your work in progress and convert it using a speech-to-text software or a transcription service.

When you’re finished, share your experience in the Pro Practice Workshop here . Not a member yet? Join us here !

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How to use formatting and punctuation while dictating, apple dictation privacy.

If you have a complex idea you'd like to jot down quickly on your iPhone or iPad, you can simply speak it with your voice thanks to Apple's built-in dictation feature. Here's how to use it.

Any time you're in an app where you can input text with the keyboard, you can use voice dictation instead of typing. To do so, tap the text input field so that your on-screen keyboard pops up. Next, tap the small microphone button located to the left of the space bar.

(If you don't see the microphone icon on your keyboard, make sure that  Dictation is enabled on your device . To do so, launch Settings, then navigate to General > Keyboard and turn "Enable Dictation" on. And if your on-screen keyboard doesn't appear , then you likely have an external Bluetooth keyboard connected.)

After tapping the microphone button, the on-screen keyboard will be replaced with a moving waveform made out of lines that change based on how loudly you're talking. As you speak, words will appear on the screen once your device has recognized them.

When you're all done speaking, tap the keyboard button at the bottom of the screen, and dictation mode will end.

The on-screen keyboard will reappear, and you can use it to add to or edit your dictation input. If you ever need to get back into dictation mode, just tap the microphone button again.

While using dictation on the iPhone, you might wonder how to do things like start a new line or enter punctuation. In those cases, you'll need to speak out your commands or the names of the punctuation characters. Here are some examples.

• Numbers: If you'd like to enter a number as a numeral instead of as a word, say "numeral" before you speak the number. For example, saying "numeral 4" will print a "4" on the screen rather than the word "four."
• Punctuation and Symbols: If you want to use punctuation, say the name of the punctuation character. For example, "period," "comma," "question mark," "exclamation mark," and "hyphen" all produce their special equivalent characters on the screen instead of the words themselves. Similarly, you can say "asterisk," "ampersand," "hashtag," and more to get the proper symbols on the screen.
• Line Breaks: To go to a new line (like pressing Return on a keyboard), say "new line." You can also say "new paragraph" to insert a new paragraph break.
• Emoticons: You can speak out several old-school emoticons, such as "smiley face" :-), "frowny face" :-(, and "winky face" ;-), and they will appear on the screen as the proper symbols.
• Capital Letters: To capitalize a single letter, say "cap," then the letter. To turn on capitalizing the first letter of every word, say "caps on" (and disable with "caps off"). To make the next word entirely capitalized, say "all caps" before you speak the word. And to switch caps lock on, say "all caps on." You can disable it by saying "all caps off."

When you dictate on your iPhone or iPad, be aware that recordings of your voice and other data are being sent to Apple if you are connected to the internet. That's because Apple's ever-improving voice recognition algorithms in the cloud can generally do a better job than an on-device solution. Apple claims that this dictation data is not linked to your Apple account and is not sold or used to build a marketing profile.

If you are offline, dictation will still work, but only in your region's main language. Still, you might find that it doesn't work as well as the online version. If absolute privacy is an issue, you can avoid using dictation or disable dictation completely in Settings by visiting General > Keyboard and switching "Enable Dictation" to "off."

Still, Dictation on the iPhone is a powerful feature to have, and it works very well compared to dictation technologies of the past, so experiment and have fun!

Related: How to Remove the Microphone Button from Your iPhone Keyboard

• Apple iPhone

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Starting September 12, 2024, Zapier customers will no longer be able to access Zapier services from a sanctioned country. We understand this may be inconvenient and appreciate your understanding as we navigate these regulatory requirements.

Transcribe App and Online Editor

Your personal assistant for note taking and transcribing. our voice transcription service saves you time and helps you focus on what’s important..

Automatic transcription

Transcribe is your AI-powered speech-to-text service. Use the Transcribe app and online editor to automatically generate notes from meetings, interviews, videos and more.

More than 120 languages

Turn audio and video into searchable, editable and shareable content in more than 120 languages.

Spanish (Spain)

Spanish (Mexican)

Spanish (Colombian)

Traditional Chinese

Variety of formats

Import files from any app or cloud storage system. Supported formats include mp3, m4a, wav, m4v, mp4, mov and avi.

Document export

Export transcribed text into a document with timestamps and polish it there. Supported formats include PDF and Microsoft Word.

Zoom integration

Record your Zoom calls and get meeting notes almost instantly.

Voice recorder

Record and review conversations in real time with our live transcription service.

Dim the lights when you work late into the night.

Collaboration tools

Collaborate with your colleagues by exporting voice notes or using Teams feature.

Bonus 5 hours of transcription time

Additional time credits every month.

Additional export formats

Export to TXT, PDF, DOCX, SRT and JPG.

Cloud storage

Up to 500 files of speech recording can be backed up in the cloud.

Synchronization

Access your documents from any device (iPhone, iPad, MacOS or a web browser).

Edit on your phone, PC or Mac

Proofread and polish the transcription on whichever device you prefer.

Priority support

Speedier replies and help when you need it.

Bonus 30 hours of transcription time

Ability to create teams for collaboration (up to 5 teams).

Up to 1 000 audio files with infinite storage time.

For podcasters

Transcribe podcasts into written notes.

For business

Get meeting notes in an instant.

For journalists

Transcribe interviews to get news out fast.

For academics

Save time on your academic research.

For students

Transcribe lectures and seminars.

What our users are saying

I’m a freelance writer who uses the Voice Memo app when conducting interviews. It would take me HOURS to transcribe what was recorded. And that wasted my time when I could have been writing the article. Transcribe has now freed up that time.

I am disabled and I’ve been looking for this exact technology for at least two years because I can’t type anymore. A lot of these transcriptions don’t work, but this one does. I’ve probably done 60 hours of transcribing audio memos checks and with with very few exceptions it was Word for Word perfect. And when you didn’t get the word right it was because I was mumbling, or what have you.

This converted my rambling voice memos directly into text for use in a word document. My audio quality was low: I recorded with my iPhone in my lap while driving on the highway so there is lots of background noise. Still, the imperfections in text are all from me stammering. Actually, the app cut out lots of ums and repeated words improving what I said. It still requires editing and correcting - mostly formatting - but really couldnt be improved much at all. This is mature technology. Also, the software interface is top notch, like google or even better.

Time-saver and amazing results! Thanks a lot for this help! I often have to work with texts in German, English, Italian.

Just used this app to transcribe a 24 minute interview (on Apple Voice Memos) with my dad, about our family history. Using this app vs. transcribing it myself has literally saved me hours. The transcription was good enough that all I will need to do is clean up a few minor “misreads”, and I can present a written version of this interview to my dad as a gift for Christmas. Thanks for a great app!

I am very pleased with this app. I use it primarily to transcribe short information videos. I purchase time in one hour increments which is suitable for my needs.

Experts talk about Transcribe

Best voice-to-text apps.

Voice-to-text apps can be very useful for busy professionals. If you're always on the go or you think faster than you can write, these special programs can increase efficiency and store your recordings safe and sound via the cloud.

The 6 Best Dictation Apps for iPhone

If the iPhone's built-in dictation feature doesn't cut it for you, here are a few good dictation apps for you.

10 iPhone Speech-to-Text Apps 2021

If you don't want to type long texts yourself, a transcription service will be the best solution for you.

iPad User Guide

• iPad models compatible with iPadOS 18
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad (10th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
• Setup basics
• Make your iPad your own
• Keep in touch with friends and family
• Customize your workspace
• Do more with Apple Pencil
• Customize iPad for your child
• What’s new in iPadOS 18
• Turn on and set up iPad
• Wake, unlock, and lock
• Set up cellular service
• Connect to the internet
• Sign in and manage your Apple Account
• Subscribe to iCloud+
• Find settings
• Set up mail, contacts, and calendar accounts
• Learn the meaning of the status icons
• Charge the battery
• Show the battery percentage
• Check battery usage
• Use Low Power Mode to save battery life
• Read and bookmark the user guide
• Adjust the volume
• Learn basic gestures
• Learn advanced gestures
• Find and use your apps in App Library
• Switch between apps
• Zoom an app to fill the screen
• Quit and reopen an app
• Drag and drop
• Open two apps in Split View
• Switch an app window to Slide Over
• View an app’s windows and workspaces
• Multitask with Picture in Picture
• Move, resize, and organize windows
• Access features from the Lock Screen
• Perform quick actions
• Search on iPad
• Get information about your iPad
• View or change cellular data settings
• Travel with iPad
• Change or turn off sounds
• Create a custom Lock Screen
• Change the wallpaper
• Adjust the screen brightness and color balance
• Customize the text size and zoom setting
• Change the name of your iPad
• Change the date and time
• Change the language and region
• Add, edit, and remove widgets
• Move apps and widgets on the Home Screen
• Customize apps and widgets on the Home Screen
• Lock or hide an app
• Organize your apps in folders
• Remove or delete apps
• Use and customize Control Center
• Change your default web browser or email app
• Rotate your iPad screen
• View and respond to notifications
• Change notification settings
• Set up a focus
• Allow or silence notifications for a Focus
• Turn a Focus on or off
• Customize sharing options
• Type with the onscreen keyboard
• Dictate text
• Commands for dictating text
• Move the onscreen keyboard
• Select and edit text
• Use predictive text
• Use text replacements
• Add or change keyboards
• Add emoji, Memoji, and stickers
• Take a screenshot
• Take a screen recording
• Write and draw in documents
• Add text, shapes, stickers, and more
• Fill out forms, sign documents, and create signatures
• Interact with content in a photo or video
• Identify objects in your photos and videos
• Lift a subject from the photo background
• Take photos
• Take Live Photos
• Take a selfie
• Take a Portrait mode selfie
• Record videos
• Change advanced camera settings
• Adjust HDR camera settings
• View, share, and print photos
• Use Live Text
• Scan a QR code
• Scan documents
• Subscribe to Apple Arcade
• Play with friends in Game Center
• Connect a game controller
• Use App Clips
• Update apps
• View or cancel subscriptions
• Manage purchases, settings, and restrictions
• Install and manage fonts
• Buy books and audiobooks
• Annotate books
• Access books on other Apple devices
• Listen to audiobooks
• Set reading goals
• Organize books
• Create and edit events in Calendar
• Send invitations
• Reply to invitations
• Change how you view events
• Search for events
• Change Calendar settings
• Schedule or display events in a different time zone
• Keep track of events
• Use multiple calendars
• Use reminders in Calendar
• Use the Holidays calendar
• Share iCloud calendars
• Use the basic calculator
• Use the scientific calculator
• Solve math with Math Notes
• Work with graphs in Math Notes
• Convert units or currency
• See previous calculations
• See the world clock
• Set an alarm
• Use the stopwatch
• Add and use contact information
• Edit contacts
• Add your contact info
• Share Contacts on iPad
• Add or remove accounts
• Hide duplicate contacts
• Sync contacts across devices
• Import contacts
• Export contacts
• Get started with FaceTime
• Make FaceTime calls
• Receive FaceTime calls
• Create a FaceTime link
• Take a Live Photo
• Turn on Live Captions
• Use other apps during a call
• Make a Group FaceTime call
• View participants in a grid
• Use SharePlay to watch, listen, and play together
• Share your screen in a FaceTime call
• Request or give remote control in a FaceTime call
• Collaborate on a document in a FaceTime call
• Use video conferencing features
• Hand off a FaceTime call to another Apple device
• Change the FaceTime video settings
• Change the FaceTime audio settings
• Change your appearance
• Leave a call or switch to Messages
• Block a FaceTime call and report it as spam
• Modify files and folders
• Find files and folders
• Organize files and folders
• Send files from the Files app
• Set up iCloud Drive
• Share files and folders in iCloud Drive
• Transfer files from iPad to a storage device, a server, or the cloud
• Share your location
• Add or remove a friend
• Locate a friend
• Get notified when friends change their location
• Notify a friend when your location changes
• Add your iPad
• Get notified if you leave a device behind
• Locate a device
• Mark a device as lost
• Erase a device
• Remove a device
• Add an AirTag
• Share an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPad
• Add a third-party item
• Get notified if you leave an item behind
• Locate an item
• Mark an item as lost
• Remove an item
• Adjust map settings
• Turn off Find My
• Get started with Freeform
• Create a Freeform board
• Draw or handwrite
• Solve handwritten math problems
• Add text in sticky notes, shapes, and text boxes
• Add shapes, lines, and arrows
• Add diagrams
• Add photos, videos, and other files
• Apply consistent styles
• Position items on a board
• Navigate and present scenes
• Send a copy or PDF
• Print a board
• Share boards and collaborate
• Search Freeform boards
• Delete and recover boards
• Change Freeform settings
• Get started with Health
• Fill out your Health Details
• Intro to Health data
• View your health data
• Share your health data
• View health data shared by others
• Download health records
• View health records
• Log menstrual cycle information
• View menstrual cycle predictions and history
• Log a pregnancy
• Track your medications
• Learn more about your medications
• Log your state of mind
• Take a mental health assessment
• Customize your Sleep Focus
• Turn Sleep Focus on or off
• View your sleep history
• Check your headphone audio levels
• Use audiogram data
• Back up your Health data
• Intro to Home
• Upgrade to the new Home architecture
• Set up accessories
• Control accessories
• Control your home using Siri
• Use Grid Forecast to plan your energy usage
• View electricity usage and rates on iPad (participating U.S. providers only)
• Set up HomePod
• Control your home remotely
• Create and use scenes
• Use automations
• Set up security cameras
• Use Face Recognition
• Configure a router
• Invite others to control accessories
• Add more homes
• Get music, movies, and TV shows
• Get ringtones
• Manage purchases and settings
• Use iPad like a magnifying glass
• Customize controls
• Get descriptions of visual information around you
• Detect people around you
• Detect furniture around you
• Detect doors around you
• Detect text around you and have it read out loud
• Set up shortcuts for Live Recognition
• Add and remove email accounts
• Set up a custom email domain
• Check your email
• Unsend email with Undo send
• Reply to and forward emails
• Save an email draft
• Add email attachments
• Download email attachments
• Annotate email attachments
• Set email notifications
• Search for email
• Organize your email in mailboxes
• Flag or block emails
• Filter emails
• Use Hide My Email
• Use Mail Privacy Protection
• Change Mail settings
• Delete and recover emails
• Add a Mail widget to your Home Screen
• Print emails
• Use keyboard shortcuts
• Explore 3D maps
• Get travel directions
• Change or add stops to your route
• View a route overview or a list of turns
• Change settings for spoken directions
• Get driving directions
• Report traffic incidents
• Get cycling directions
• Get walking directions
• Save walks or hikes
• Get transit directions
• Get traffic and weather info
• Estimate travel time and ETA
• Download offline maps
• Search for places
• Add places and notes to your library
• Mark places with pins
• Share places
• Rate places and add photos
• Organize places with custom guides
• Find nearby attractions, restaurants, and services
• Get information about places
• Explore places with guides
• Look around places
• Take Flyover tours
• Clear location history
• Delete recent directions
• Choose a default travel mode and units
• Report an issue with Maps
• Measure dimensions
• View and save measurements
• Measure a person’s height
• Set up Messages
• About iMessage
• Send and reply to messages
• Unsend and edit messages
• Keep track of messages
• Forward and share messages
• Group conversations
• Watch, listen, or play together using SharePlay
• Share screens
• Collaborate on projects
• Use iMessage apps
• Take and edit photos or videos
• Share photos, links, and more
• Send stickers
• Create and send Memoji
• React with Tapbacks
• Style and animate messages
• Draw and handwrite messages
• Send and save GIFs
• Request, send, and receive payments
• Send and receive audio messages
• Turn read receipts on or off
• Change notifications
• Block, filter, and report messages
• Delete messages and attachments
• Recover deleted messages
• Subscribe to Apple Music
• Get personalized recommendations
• Mark items as favorites
• Add music and listen offline
• Create an Apple Music Profile
• Share music with friends
• See what friends are listening to
• Search for music
• Find music shared with you
• Find new music
• Use the music player controls
• Use Siri to play music
• Play lossless audio
• Play Spatial Audio
• Listen to radio
• Play music together using SharePlay
• Play music together in the car
• Adjust the sound
• Queue up your music
• Shuffle or repeat songs
• Apple Music Sing
• Show song credits and lyrics
• Tell Apple Music what you enjoy
• Intro to playlists
• Create, edit, and delete playlists
• Collaborate on a playlist
• Join a collaborative playlist
• Add a reaction to a collaborative playlist
• Get started with News
• Use News widgets
• See news stories chosen just for you
• Read and share stories
• Follow your favorite teams with My Sports
• Subscribe to Apple News+
• Browse and read Apple News+ stories
• Use Offline Mode to read downloaded News content
• Manually download Apple News+ issues
• Find puzzles in Apple News+
• Solve crossword and crossword mini puzzles
• Solve Quartiles puzzles
• Search for stories in News
• Save stories in News
• Clear your reading history in News
• Customize the News tab bar
• Subscribe to individual news channels
• Get started with Notes
• Create and format notes
• Use Quick Notes
• Add drawings and handwriting
• Enter formulas and equations
• Add photos, video, and more
• Record and transcribe audio
• Scan text and documents
• Work with PDFs
• Search notes
• Organize in folders
• Organize with tags
• Use Smart Folders
• Share and collaborate
• Export or print notes
• Change the Notes view
• Change Notes settings
• Use passwords on iPad
• Find your password for a website or app
• Change the password for a website or app
• Remove a password
• Recover a deleted password
• Create a password for a website or app
• Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites
• Sign in with Apple
• Share passwords
• Automatically fill in strong passwords
• Change weak or compromised passwords
• View your passwords and related information
• Find your Wi-Fi password
• Share passwords securely with AirDrop
• Make your passwords available on all your devices
• Automatically fill in verification codes
• Sign in with fewer CAPTCHA challenges
• Use two-factor authentication
• Use security keys
• Delete, share, or copy a photo
• View and edit Photo Booth photos in the Photos app
• Get started with Photos
• View photos and videos
• See photo and video information
• Find photos and videos by date
• Find and name people and pets
• Find group photos
• Browse photos by location
• Find recently saved photos
• Find your travel photos
• Find receipts, QR codes, recently edited photos, and more
• Find photos, videos, and more by media type
• Customize the Photos app
• Filter and sort the photo library
• Back up and sync your photos with iCloud
• Delete or hide photos and videos
• Search for photos and videos
• Get wallpaper suggestions
• Watch memories
• Personalize your memories
• Play videos and slideshows
• Feature someone less
• Create Photo albums
• Edit and organize albums
• Filter and sort photos and videos in albums
• Share photos and videos
• Share long videos
• Create shared albums
• Add and remove people in a shared album
• Add and delete photos and videos in a shared album
• Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Use iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Add content to an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Edit photos and videos
• Crop, rotate, flip, or straighten photos and videos
• Undo and revert photo edits
• Trim video length, adjust speed, and edit audio
• Edit Cinematic videos
• Edit Live Photos
• Edit portraits
• Make stickers from your photos
• Duplicate and copy photos and videos
• Merge duplicate photos
• Import and export photos and videos
• Print photos
• Find podcasts
• Listen to podcasts
• View podcast transcripts
• Follow your favorite podcasts
• Use the Podcasts widget
• Organize your podcast library
• Download, save, remove, and share podcasts
• Subscribe to podcasts
• Listen to subscriber-only content
• Change download settings
• Get started with Reminders
• Set reminders
• Make a grocery list
• Add details
• Complete and remove items
• Edit and organize a list
• Search your lists
• Organize multiple lists
• Use Smart Lists
• Print a list
• Work with templates
• Change Reminders settings
• Browse the web
• Search for websites
• See highlights
• Customize your Safari settings
• Change the layout
• Create multiple Safari profiles
• Open and close tabs
• Organize your tabs with Tab Groups
• View your tabs from another Apple device
• Share Tab Groups
• Use Siri to listen to a webpage
• Bookmark a website
• Bookmark a website as a favorite
• Save pages to a Reading List
• Find links shared with you
• Annotate and save a webpage as a PDF
• Automatically fill in forms
• Get extensions
• Hide distractions when browsing
• Hide distractions when reading
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your cache and cookies
• Enable cookies
• Browse the web privately
• Sign in with passkeys in Safari
• Check stocks
• Manage multiple watchlists
• Read business news
• Add earnings reports to your calendar
• Use a Stocks widget
• Translate text, voice, and conversations
• Translate text in apps
• Translate with the camera view
• Subscribe to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, or a channel
• Find shows, movies, and more
• Personalize the Home tab
• Buy, rent, or pre-order items
• Stream content and control playback
• Watch sports
• Watch multiple live sports streams
• Manage your library
• Add your TV provider
• Change the settings
• Make a recording
• View a transcription
• Play it back
• Edit or delete a recording
• Keep recordings up to date
• Organize recordings
• Search for or rename a recording
• Share a recording
• Duplicate a recording
• Check the weather
• Check the weather in other locations
• View weather maps
• Manage weather notifications
• Use Weather widgets
• Learn the weather icons
• Find out what Siri can do
• Tell Siri about yourself
• Have Siri announce calls and notifications
• Add Siri Shortcuts
• About Siri Suggestions
• Change Siri settings
• Introducing Apple Intelligence
• Set up Family Sharing
• Add Family Sharing members
• Remove Family Sharing members
• Share subscriptions
• Share purchases
• Share locations with family and locate lost devices
• Set up Apple Cash Family and Apple Card Family
• Set up parental controls
• Set up a child’s device
• Get started with Screen Time
• Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
• Set up Screen Time
• Set communication and safety limits and block nudity
• Set up Screen Time for a family member
• Set up Apple Pay
• Use Apple Pay in apps and on the web
• Use Apple Cash
• Use Apple Card
• Remove payment cards
• Change Wallet & Apple Pay settings
• Power adapter and charge cable
• Use AirPods
• Use EarPods
• Use headphone audio-level features
• Apple Pencil compatibility
• Pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation)
• Pair and charge Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
• Pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C)
• Pair and charge Apple Pencil Pro
• Enter text with Scribble
• Draw with Apple Pencil
• Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil
• Quickly write notes
• Wirelessly stream videos and photos to Apple TV or a smart TV
• Connect to a display with a cable
• HomePod and other wireless speakers
• iPad keyboards
• Switch between keyboards
• Enter characters with diacritical marks
• Use shortcuts
• Choose an alternative keyboard layout
• Change typing assistance options
• Connect Magic Trackpad
• Trackpad gestures
• Change trackpad settings
• Connect a mouse
• Mouse actions and gestures
• Change mouse settings
• External storage devices
• Connect Bluetooth accessories
• Play audio from your iPad on a Bluetooth accessory from your iPad
• Apple Watch with Fitness+
• Polishing cloth
• Work across devices using Continuity
• Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
• Hand off tasks between devices
• Cut, copy, and paste between iPad and other devices
• Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPad
• Allow phone calls and text messages on your iPad
• Share your internet connection with Personal Hotspot
• Use iPad as a webcam for Apple TV
• Insert sketches, photos, and scans on Mac
• Use iPad as a second display for Mac
• Use a keyboard and mouse or trackpad across your Mac and iPad
• Connect iPad and your computer with a cable
• Transfer files between devices
• Transfer files with email, messages, or AirDrop
• Transfer files or sync content with the Finder or iTunes
• Automatically keep files up to date with iCloud
• Get started with accessibility features
• Use accessibility features during setup
• Change Siri accessibility settings
• Quickly turn accessibility features on or off
• Overview of accessibility features for vision
• View a larger version of text you’re reading or typing
• Change display colors
• Make text easier to read
• Reduce onscreen motion
• Use iPad more comfortably while riding in a vehicle
• Customize per-app visual settings
• Hear what’s on the screen or typed
• Hear audio descriptions
• Turn on and practice VoiceOver
• Change your VoiceOver settings
• Use VoiceOver gestures
• Operate iPad when VoiceOver is on
• Control VoiceOver using the rotor
• Use the onscreen keyboard
• Write with your finger
• Keep the screen off
• Use VoiceOver with an external keyboard
• Use a braille display
• Type braille on the screen
• Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
• Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
• Get live descriptions of your surroundings
• Use VoiceOver in apps
• Overview of accessibility features for mobility
• Use AssistiveTouch
• Use an adjustable onscreen trackpad on iPad
• Control iPad with the movement of your eyes
• Adjust how iPad responds to your touch
• Auto-answer calls
• Change Face ID and attention settings
• Use Voice Control commands
• Adjust the top or Home button
• Use Apple TV Remote buttons
• Adjust pointer settings
• Adjust keyboard settings
• Control iPad with an external keyboard
• Adjust AirPods settings
• Adjust double tap and squeeze settings for Apple Pencil
• Intro to Switch Control
• Set up and turn on Switch Control
• Select items, perform actions, and more
• Control several devices with one switch
• Overview of accessibility features for hearing
• Use hearing devices
• Use Live Listen
• Use sound recognition
• Set up and use RTT
• Flash the indicator light for notifications
• Adjust audio settings
• Play background sounds
• Display subtitles and captions
• Show transcriptions for Intercom messages
• Get live captions of spoken audio
• Overview of accessibility features for speech
• Type to speak
• Record your personal voice
• Use Vocal Shortcuts
• Overview of cognitive accessibility features
• Lock iPad to one app
• Control what you share
• Set a passcode
• Set up Face ID
• Set up Touch ID
• Turn on Lock Screen features
• Keep your Apple Account secure
• Control app tracking permissions
• Control the location information you share
• Control access to information in apps
• Control access to contacts
• Control how Apple delivers advertising to you
• Control access to hardware features
• Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
• Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay
• Use a private network address
• Use Advanced Data Protection
• Use Lockdown Mode
• Receive warnings about sensitive content
• Use Contact Key Verification
• Turn iPad on or off
• Force restart iPad
• Update iPadOS
• Back up iPad
• Reset iPad settings
• Restore all content from a backup
• Restore purchased and deleted items
• Sell, give away, or trade in your iPad
• Install or remove configuration profiles
• Important safety information
• Important handling information
• Find more resources for software and service
• FCC compliance statement
• ISED Canada compliance statement
• Apple and the environment
• Class 1 Laser information
• Disposal and recycling information
• Unauthorized modification of iPadOS
• ENERGY STAR compliance statement

Commands for dictating text on iPad

When you dictate text, you can say commands for punctuation, formatting, capitalization, and more. In some languages, you can insert emoji using your voice while dictating. The commands listed below are always available while you’re dictating text.

Punctuation

For some languages, Dictation automatically adds certain punctuation as you dictate text.

Format text

Change, insert, and delete text

The commands above are available in U.S. English on supported models .

Insert emoji

How To : The 5 Best Apps for Transcribing Lectures & Converting Speech to Text on iPhone or Android

The transcribing app can be an invaluable tool, especially if you're a student or are in a profession that relies on audio journals or interviews. These apps can convert important recordings like lectures and meetings into text for you to carefully read through to better comprehend.

With the abundance of transcribing apps available for iPhones and Android devices, however, choosing one that'll meet all your school and work needs has the potential to break your wallet. With this in mind, we've tested dozens of these apps and found the five best transcribing apps available for both Android and iOS.

Table of Contents

Comparison chart.

• Methodology

App 1: Otter

App 2: transcribeme, app 3: temi, app 4: voicea, app 5: rev voice recorder.

Key Comparison Points

• Price: The price of the app itself.
• Fees/In-App Purchases: While having to pay for a transcriber app's services isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's important to distinguish between apps that offer enhanced features — like transcriptions done by actual people — that justify their cost and apps that will basically give you more of the same.
• Free Trial/Allowance: Some paid transcriber apps will let you try out their services for free on some sort of time-based trial. Trials are a great way to check how good these apps are in terms of overall service, so you can have a more informed decision on whether they're worth your time and money.
• Supported Languages: For people taking linguistics classes, it would be ideal if your transcription app worked with more than one language. Most apps on this list, however, are English-only.
• Account Required: For security purposes, most transcribing apps require you to create an account, though some apps give you the option to sign in using either your Google, Facebook, or Office365 accounts for added convenience.
• Speech-to-Text: This element covers the various ways transcriber apps can record audio, from direct dictation, to conversion of audio and video files. Naturally, the more options an app has, the better.
• Transcription Method: Transcriber apps on the whole basically rely on two methods of transcribing your recordings — either via human-based transcriptions where you have a person manually transcribe your recordings, or AI-based transcriptions.
• Turnaround Time: The amount of time it takes for your to receive your transcribed recording. Besides overall accuracy, fast turnaround times are also ideal — no one wants to wait days to receive their transcripts.
• Share Options: There are times where you'll need to transfer a copy of your transcripts and recordings to another location or share with a colleague. Though almost all transcriber apps allow for this as far as transcripts go, some have the added ability to share your audio files alongside your transcripts.
• Save Options: Transcriber apps usually store your audio recordings and transcripts within the app itself, though some provide further options such as automatically sending copies of your transcripts to your email account.
• Transcription Accuracy: This element is perhaps the most important feature of transcription apps. We evaluated these apps by having them transcribe the same recording under the same circumstances, then we scored them based on the percentage of words they got right.
• Punctuation: While often taken for granted, punctuation within a transcript significantly aids in readability. Without punctuation, your transcript becomes one gigantic sentence, which can leave you more confused.
• Import Sound Files: There'll be times where you'll need to transcribe a video or audio recording done outside the Voice Memo app that a colleague shared with you, and having a transcribing app that's capable of converting it from an MP3 or other sound file to a text document will come in handy.
• Edit Transcript: Once the transcript is completed, whether or not you can manually edit words the AI or human transcriber misinterpreted.
• Voice Learning: If the app can learn a specific speaker's voice to improve accuracy in the transcription.
• Denote Speakers: Whether or not the app will let you differentiate between multiple speakers in a transcript by adding a notation with each speaker's name.
• Search Through Text: Whether or not the app will allow you to search through the final text transcript.
• Dark Mode: If you're studying late at night, you'll really appreciate a transcribing app with an available dark mode to keep those blinding white backgrounds at bay.
• Calendar Support: Though not a big feature in the grand scheme of things, a transcribing app that features calendar support gives you an awesome way of reminding yourself of events and tasks that may require you keep your recorder handy.
• 3D Touch Support: When used in conjunction with a supported transcriber app, this iPhone feature gives you added accessibility and lets you instantly record audio on the fly.
• Siri Integration: Apple's virtual assistant has become an asset in terms of hands-free use, and when fully supported, can open your transcriber app by voice to start recording an important lecture or meeting.
• Widgets: For faster access, some apps support Today View widgets on iOS.
• Record Using Bluetooth Device: Whether or not you can record audio from an external Bluetooth device such as a microphone.

How We Chose These Apps

Before we started on the task of comparing transcribing apps, we first laid out some ground rules. Because a majority of transcribing apps offer a fee-based payment system for the services they provide, we had to sort out which apps provided you the most bang for the buck in terms of pricing and overall speech-to-text accuracy.

To determine transcription accuracy in particular, we devised a test based off a speech that was exactly 100 words long. The speech was then dictated in high quality on a separate device, in two separate recordings — one done in a normal tone of voice, with the other recording featuring a heavy accent. The first 50 words of both recordings were then dictated at a normal pace, with the latter half being spoken at a faster speed.

From there, we opened each app on our test phones and played the recordings from three feet away for the apps to record and transcribe. We then calculated a score based on how many words were missed or erroneously transcribed, and determined the average score gathered from the numbers for each test. The top five apps in these tests made the initial cut, then we ranked them based on features in the chart above.

Otter beat out all the other apps on this list by a wide margin, largely thanks to the great balance it achieves between free and premium content. While its transcription options aren't as wide ranging as other services out there, the app more than makes up for it with the sheer amount of features it brings to the table.

• Install Otter: Android (free) | iPhone (free)

For starters, Otter provides the most generous free allowance of all the apps on this list by giving you 600 minutes to use every month. Unused minutes do not roll over into the next month, but having an allotment of 10 hours to freely use every 30 days makes Otter the perfect companion app for students and professionals alike.

Of course, you can also opt to subscribe to the service, which gives you the option of either paying $19.99 monthly or $99.99 annually depending on your needs. Doing so increases your total minutes from 600 to 6,000 while unlocking numerous features such as Dropbox integration and bulk export.

You don't need to pay for the service to take advantage of most features, however. This is in addition to the fact that Otter comes with the most features out of any apps on this list. These include native dark mode support for easier nighttime viewing, the ability to import recordings outside the app for transcription, calendar integration, and more.

To make the app even more versatile, you can train Otter to recognize your voice for even more accurate transcriptions, thanks to its "Record voiceprint" functionality. This feature is especially important for the app, as unlike other apps like TranscribeMe, Otter solely relies on AI to transcribe speech to text. That said, the service actually performed extremely well and scored an impressive 99% overall on tests performed using normal and heavy accents.

For added accessibility, Otter is also features full 3D Touch support so you can start a voice recording or perform a quick search without having to open the app. And thanks to full Siri integration, you can initiate a recording hands free via Siri, though the option isn't available on Android using Google Assistant.

Besides the lack of AI integration and the option for human-based transcriptions, Otter's transcription service only supports English. As such, you'll need to use another app like TranscribeMe if you need to transcribe in another language like Spanish of French.

In all, Otter's intuitive and feature-packed UI completely overshadows the few limitations it has and makes it an ideal app for both professionals and students that need to quickly record and transcribe. So if you're in the market for an app to reliably convert speeches and voice notes to text, Otter should be on top of your list.

TranscribeMe is a great all around speech-to-text app that's sure to meet all your transcribing needs. This app can fit into almost any budget, regardless of whether you're a student with limited finances or a high-powered lawyer who needs the most accurate transcriptions possible. The app is free to download, and gives you the most variety in terms of transcription services.

• Install TranscribeMe: Android (free) | iPhone (free)

For payment and security purposes, the app requires you to create an account in order to use its transcription services. Thankfully, TranscribeMe gives you the ability to log in using either your Facebook or Google account, which means one less password to try to remember.

In addition to in-app dictation support, TranscribeMe gives you the ability to import audio recordings done within the Voice Memos app, along with other audio files for speech-to-text conversion. Unfortunately, the "Import Recording" function wasn't functioning during our testing, and had to mark it as such on the chart. As such, this aspect will be updated as soon as we verify its functionality.

In terms of service, TranscribeMe gives you a variety of transcription methods to suit almost any budget. Unlike other apps on this list, the app lets you choose between AI or human-based transcriptions, depending on your needs. Unfortunately, the app doesn't offer any free trials for their service, which means you'll have to pay for transcriptions off the bat.

While opting for AI-based transcriptions somewhat offsets the lack of free trials with a cost of $0.10 a minute, more precise, human-based conversions can vary depending on what service you choose, along with other options — like faster turnaround time — requested. A standard transcript for a recording that's set to be delivered within one business day will set you back around $2.50 a minute.

Of course, you can bring the rates down by either choosing a cheaper service like "First Draft" that only passes through one layer of transcription, setting the turnaround time to a longer time frame, or a combination of both. Bear in mind that in doing so, your transcriptions will take longer to receive.

In terms of transcription accuracy, TranscribeMe does extremely well. Human transcriptions are very accurate, averaging out at nearly a hundred percent. AI-based "Machine Express" transcriptions are a little hit or miss, and although it did extremely well when converting a recording with a normal accent, it didn't fare as well and resulted in glaring errors when transcribing speech featuring a heavy accent.

Unfortunately, TranscribeMe is not without its downsides, chief among these being the price for its services. While using its AI-based Machine Express option will cost you a reasonable $6.00 per hour, human-based transcriptions can start at around $75 an hour and run up to $240 an hour for the premium Verbatim option. Also bear in mind that turnaround time is calculated in business days, so weekends don't count.

Clearly, TranscribeMe's premium services are more geared towards companies and professionals who need the absolute best and can afford it. Even still, the app's Machine Express option does a great job in accurately transcribing recordings, making it a solid choice for individuals with tighter wallets.

Temi is the third app on this list, and like TranscribeMe, the app is free to download and charges a time-based fee to use its services. Temi, however, deviates from its competitors' formulas in some key aspects.

• Install Temi: Android (free) | iPhone (free)

To start, Temi charges a flat fee of $0.10 a minute for text-to-speech conversions to keep its services streamlined, which equates to $6.00 an hour. This puts the app on par with TranscribeMe's Machine Express service, but with some notable features not available to its counterpart.

Unlike other apps on this list, Temi highlights text it might not have transcribed accurately, making it easy to spot any potential errors which you can then correct thanks to the app's built-in editing feature. This is essential, as Temi offers no human-based transcription services, opting instead to rely solely on AI to handle all transcriptions.

That being said, Temi did very well on our tests and transcribed recordings of both normal and heavy accents with 98% accuracy with very minor errors. Beyond that, turnaround time for transcriptions averaged out at around five minutes. While not as fast as other apps on this list, overall accuracy of the conversions more than made up for the slightly longer timeframe.

Though it lacks many features like the ability to import audio files from outside the app, calendar support, and assistant integration, Temi's easy to understand UI and streamlined pricing more than compensate for any shortcomings it has. And thanks to its free trial, you can give the app a try right now to see if its services suit your needs.

Voicea features an intuitive UI that lets you hit the ground running with regards to recording audio and generating transcriptions. Formerly known as Voicera, the app has since changed up the way it does things alongside the rebrand.

• Install Voicea: Android (free) | iPhone (free)

Like most of the apps on this list, Voicea requires you to create an account in order to use the app, but it lets you use your login credentials from either Google, Office365, Slack, or Salesforce for convenient access. Like Otter, Voicea also features calendar support, giving you a way to remind yourself of any upcoming events like lectures that you want to record and transcribe.

Voicea did well in transcription accuracy when compared to most transcriber apps, though it ranked the lowest out of all the apps on this list at 96%. Another weakness we found was the app's sole reliance on dictation and its inability to import audio files from other apps like Voice Memos. Because of this, the app is less than ideal for moments when you need to transcribe audio files like lectures obtained from a classmate.

Despite its limitations, however, Voicea is still an awesome transcribing app that's more than capable of handling your speech-to-text needs. And thanks to its monthly allowance, fast transcription times, and built in calendar support, this app is ideal for students who rely on schedules and reminders to stay up to date with events and tasks like recording upcoming lectures.

Rev Voice Recorder is a great alternative for those seeking professional transcription services at a slightly lower price compared to TranscribeMe's premium transcription services. Like all the other apps on this list, Rev Voice Recorder is free to download from both the Google Play and iOS App Stores.

• Install Rev Voice Recorder: Android (free) | iPhone (free)

Rev Voice Recorder offers a free trial to try out its services. Basically, your first transcription of up to 10 minutes is free of charge. Keep in mind that this free offer is only for the first transcription, so even if your first transcript is only three minutes long, the trial period will instantly end, and you'll be charged for the second transcription.

Rev relies on a dedicated team of people for its transcription service to guarantee accuracy, and it shows. The app boasted the highest overall accuracy in our testing, and precisely transcribed both recordings done with normal and heavy accents to land it an overall score of 99%. Unlike its AI-based counterparts, the transcriptions came with perfectly placed punctuation marks to make reading a lot more digestible.

This reliance on premium, human-based transcriptions naturally comes with a price, however, as Rev Voice Recorder can be costly for transcriptions of long audio recordings. Though nowhere near the costs associated with TranscribeMe's premium services, a transcript of an hour-long recording using the app's services will cost around $60, making this app less than ideal for students with tight budgets.

Besides that, Rev Voice recorder requires you to create an in-app account for security and payment purposes. This can be problematic, as it gives you yet another account containing sensitive financial information, along with associated login credentials to have to keep track of.

That said, Rev Voice Recorder is still a great alternative to TranscribeMe, and ultimately costs less to use whenever you're in need of accurate human-based transcription. It also beats out its counterpart in terms of turnaround times, which Rev Voice Recorder guarantees will arrive within 12 hours of submission — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This article was produced during Gadget Hacks' special coverage on using your smartphone to boost productivity. Check out the whole Productivity series.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new features for TV, Messages, News, and Shortcuts, as well as important bug fixes and security patches. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.6 update.

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Best text-to-speech apps for iPhone and iPad in 2024

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Looking for a way to consume written information without having to read a word? If yes, text-to-speech apps should be the ideal choice. It is easy to convert text-based content into spoken words with these iPhone apps, so you can easily ingest information while doing something else or help those with reading or speaking disabilities.

Although there are several text-to-speech apps that perform the same function, it’s easy to get confused when choosing the right one. Here’s a comprehensive list of top-rated apps that offer exceptional text-to-speech services, each with pros and cons.

• NaturalReader
• Text to Speech
• Speech Assistant AAC

1. Peech Text to Voice Reader – Listen to articles and docs

Peech is among the most powerful text-to-voice reader apps available on the App Store. With its intuitive user interface, you can quickly scan printed pages, import several types of document formats, or paste text directly into the app and have it converted into real-sounding speech almost instantly.

With over 60 supported languages and a vast library of realistic-sounding voices, Peech offers an excellent way to convert any text into spoken words. It also lets you customize the reading speed of the voices for more control.

If these features aren’t enough, the premium subscription of Peech also lets you have access to millions of news articles and other written content from over 60+ publications in one place, truly making it an all-rounder app.

• Offers a variety of realistic-sounding voices
• It has an intuitive user interface
• Offers access to articles from 60+ publications
• The free version doesn’t offer the ability to change voices
• It doesn’t support text highlighting while listening

Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $3.99)

2. NaturalReader Text To Speech – 140+ AI-powered voices

NaturalReader is yet another text-to-speech app that can read aloud a variety of content, including PDFs, online articles, and cloud documents. It has over 140 AI-powered voices available in more than 25 languages and dialects, so users can choose the voice that sounds the best to them.

NaturalReader also offers a handful of innovative features, like the ability to capture physical books or notes using your iPhone or iPad’s camera and convert them into audio. It also has a text filtering feature that intelligently filters out distracting text elements, such as URLs and text within brackets.

NaturalReader is a versatile text-to-speech app that can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you want to listen to your favorite books, improve your productivity , or assist individuals with reading difficulties, NaturalReader is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals.

• Features a very minimal user interface
• Offers text-highlighting while listening
• Offers 140+ AI-powered voices
• Only supports a limited number of languages
• Lacks support for dark mode

Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99) 

3. Speechify Text to Speech Audio – Read aloud web, docs & PDF

Speechify is a great text-to-speech app that allows you to listen to various types of content, including documents, articles, PDFs, emails, and more. It has over 20 million users and is the highest-rated TTS app on the App Store.

One of Speechify’s best standout features is that it allows you to select from a diverse range of celebrity voices and high-quality AI voices. Additionally, it has OCR capability, so you can transform any images with text into audio. You can also adjust the playback speed of the selected voice to your liking.

Speechify’s versatility is further enhanced by its Safari extension, which lets you listen to any website you visit. The app also offers access to hundreds of timeless audiobooks, so you can listen to your favorite books on the go.

Speechify is committed to accessibility and is a valuable tool for individuals with dyslexia, ADHD, and other reading disabilities. It is also a great tool for auditory learners, productivity enthusiasts, and second language learners.

• Offers access to 50,000+ actor-narrated audiobooks
• Offers a dedicated Safari Extension
• Changing narration speed requires a subscription
• Only offers annual subscriptions

Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $7.99) 

4. Text to Speech: Audio Books – Photo reader

Text To Speech: Audio Book is a powerful yet user-friendly app that converts text-based content into engaging audio experiences. It integrates well with popular file-sharing platforms and supports OCR, so you can easily import and convert text from PDFs, eBooks, and even handwritten notes.

Besides offering precise control over the narration speed, the app also lets you create folders to organize your imported text. This makes it easy to find and listen to your content, whether you’re on the go or multitasking.

Text To Speech: Audio Book is a pretty simple tool that focuses on offering functionality and efficiency rather than the number of features. It delivers on its promise of transforming any text into high-quality spoken words without overwhelming its users with unnecessary bells and whistles.

• Offers precise control over the narration speed
• Allows creating folders to keep imported text organized
• Focuses on functionality
• The free version doesn’t allow users to switch voices
• It’s powered by ads, and the interface feels a bit clunky

Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $5.99) 

5. Speech Air Text to Speech – Create audiobooks

Speech Air – Text to speech app revolutionizes the way you take notes and access your written content. It offers seamless integration of note-taking capabilities, a familiar user interface, interactive widgets, and powerful OCR tools in a single package.

Thanks to Speech Air’s intuitive note-taking feature, you can easily capture your ideas, musings, and reminders. You can then listen to your notes later, allowing you to stay productive on the go. Plus, the app’s user interface is designed to be familiar and simple, making it easy to navigate and use.

With Speech Air, extracting text from any images or printed documents has never been easier. Thanks to its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools, you can just snap a photo or import an image, and Speech Air will convert the text into speech almost instantly.

If these features aren’t enough, Speech Air also supports interactive Home screen widgets that provide a quick and convenient way to access its built-in news reader or your existing projects. With just a tap, you can instantly dive into your favorite articles or start a new project. The app also offers iMessage stickers so you can express yourself during conversations.

• Offers easy access to articles from several publications
• Offers a built-in translator and Home Screen widgets
• Supports both light and dark modes
• Most features require a subscription
• Only a couple of free voices sound decent

Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $4.99) 

6. Speech Assistant AAC – Designed for people with disabilities

Speech Assistant AAC is an advanced text-to-speech application explicitly designed for individuals with communication challenges. It is an efficient Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tool that allows users to express their thoughts by converting written text into spoken words.

Speech Assistant AAC offers a vast array of accessibility features, including phrase prediction, customizable sentence building, and symbol-based communication. These features make it an exceptional app for communicating effectively and independently.

• Designed with accessibility in mind
• Offers powerful AAC features for improved communication
• Supports symbol-based communication
• Not suitable for general text-to-speech needs
• Advanced features may have a steep learning curve
• Slightly expensive

Price: $21.99

Wrapping up …

Whether you’re looking for an app to convert written text into spoken words or a specialized tool for accessibility and communication, these six text-to-speech apps for iPhone and iPad should have you covered. Go ahead, try them out, and let us know which app you found to be the most useful.

In case you didn’t find these apps helpful enough or don’t like using third-party apps, you will be better off using your iPhone or iPad’s Speak Selection functionality for general uses or Live Speech for accessibility-related uses.

• 5 Best TikTok alternatives for iPhone and iPad
• 7 Best speech to text apps for iPhone
• Best AI apps for iPhone and iPad

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Dragon Anywhere—professional-grade mobile dictation app

Get documents done anywhere.

Dragon Anywhere version 1.9 update

Available on Android and iOS (US & Canada)

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Mobile dictation made easy

Dragon Anywhere professional‑grade mobile dictation makes it easy to create documents of any length and edit, format, and share them directly from your mobile device when visiting clients, a job site, or your local coffee shop.

• Continuous dictation and no word limits
• Up to 99% accurate with powerful voice editing and formatting
• Correction Menu to easily correct spelling
• Train Words feature to teach Dragon how you speak
• Access customized words and auto-text across all devices
• Share documents by email, Dropbox, and more

Dragon Anywhere, available on Android and iOS

Dictate documents of any length, easily edit and adjust formatting, and quickly share on the most popular cloud‑sharing services, directly from your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Available in the US and Canada.

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Maximize on‑the‑go productivity

Dragon Anywhere lets you dictate and edit documents by voice on your iOS or Android mobile device quickly and accurately, so you can stay productive anywhere you go.

Fast dictation and high recognition accuracy that continually improves as it adapts to your voice.

Robust voice formatting and editing options, including the ability to select words and sentences for editing or deletion.

Support for Auto‑texts (frequently used text passages) such as client or work order descriptions.

Simple importing and exporting to and from popular cloud document-sharing tools like Dropbox ® and note‑taking apps like Evernote ® .

No time or length limits: speak as long as you want to, capturing all the details needed for complete, accurate documentation.

Voice‑navigate through fields of a report template and apply common formatting like underline and bold.

Add custom words and industry‑specific terminology for even better dictation accuracy.

Accessing your Dragon Anywhere app is easy...

Purchase your Dragon Anywhere subscription from this online store, which will set up your user account.

Launch the Dragon Anywhere app and enter the email address and password you specified in the online store.

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If you're a busy professional who needs to take detailed notes or dictate documentation on the go, see why Dragon Anywhere is right for you.

Correction Menu (Play a video)

Use the new Correction Menu to quickly correct the spelling of words. Select, edit, and paste words using simple voice commands such as "Correct that".

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Watch these short videos and learn new tricks to help improve mobile productivity and more.

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The Train Words feature makes it quick and easy to train individual words or phrases. By doing so, teach Dragon exactly how you pronounce words to eliminate any spelling errors as you dictate.

Read our blog

Find more tips and advice on how to improve documentation tasks on the go.

• Summer-proof productivity and go mobile (Open a new window)
• The sprint towards enterprise mobility (Open a new window)
• Tackling documentation overload in case management (Open a new window)
• Visit the blog (Open a new window)

Easy document management that means business

When you're ready to share your dictation with your other devices or colleagues, simply use your voice to email your document or save it to the cloud. Import existing documents for further editing on your mobile device. With Dragon Anywhere, you can:

• Email dictated text
• Share documents to cloud storage
• Import documents from cloud storage
• Open dictation files in Word
• Save your dictation to Evernote as a new note
• Copy and paste dictated text via OS functions

Dragon Anywhere and Evernote Sync: Create and access content everywhere (Play a video)

Sync with Evernote and access your notes everywhere

All dictated notes captured using Dragon Anywhere can be synchronized with Evernote. Your notes, documents, and more are instantly available on all your devices, wherever you go.

• Import or copy notes into Dragon Anywhere so you can edit and dictate with your voice
• Powerful integration keeps your notes in sync and accessible wherever you are
• Access your content from any device
• Available on iOS only

Synchronize Dragon with your PC for seamless productivity

Get more done whether you're on the road or in the office. Custom words and Auto-text commands are automatically synchronized with your locally installed version of Dragon Professional (for supported editions) the next time you log in so you can work seamlessly by voice anywhere you go.

• Switch between your desktop and Dragon Anywhere to complete documents with the benefit of synchronized customizations
• Dictate on multiple mobile devices, provided you use your personal account to automatically synchronize all customizations
• Cloud-native Dragon Professional Anywhere customers with Nuance Management Center may additionally synchronize customizations—like Auto-texts—with Dragon Professional and Dragon Anywhere for iOS and Android

Improve enterprise mobility

Improve documentation and reporting for your mobile workforce

Empower field workers, lawyers, social workers, insurance adjusters, public safety officers, and other professionals to keep up with documentation demands even when they are away from their desks. With Dragon Anywhere you can easily integrate our cloud‑based, professional‑grade mobile dictation solution into your mobile documentation workflow and enable mobile professionals to complete documentation requirements in real‑time—by voice—via iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

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Get started with Dragon Anywhere

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What’s next blog

• Mobility trends: Real-time dictation helps speed in-field reporting (Open a new window)

System requirements

• Compatible with Android 7.0+ phones and tablets
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Ask about subscription‑based volume licensing programs and put your mobile voice to work. talk to us about optimizing mobile documentation across your enterprise with dragon anywhere..

How To Use Text-to-Speech on iPhone and iPad

• The Text-to-Speech feature is available in Accessibility settings in iOS and iPadOS.
• Speak Selection allows you to highlight text which you want to be read aloud while the Speak Screen feature reads out everything on the screen.
• Once you enable the Speak Screen feature, you can ask Siri to “Speak Screen” and it will do the needful.

There’s no denying that reading is a good habit. But, reading from a screen might not be ideal as it increases your daily screen time and also causes vision-related issues. A simple solution to this problem is to use the Text-to-Speech feature. It will read aloud the text on the screen and you can customize everything from the language, speed, accent, and more. Read along to learn how to use Text-to-Speech on iPhone and iPad. 

Enable Speak Selection To Use Text-to-Speech on iPhone and iPad

The Speak Selection is an Accessibility feature in iOS and iPadOS. Using this feature, your device can read aloud text that you select and you get total control over it. The Speak Selection feature is useful for people who can manually highlight the text that they want to convert to speech. However, if you have problems related to vision, we suggest using the Speak Screen feature which we’ve covered later in the article. 

Time needed:  3 minutes

Steps to enable Spoken Content and use it to read aloud highlight text on iPhone and iPad.

You can also tap and hold on text messages in Messages, WhatsApp, etc., and then select the Speak option to use the Text-to-Speech feature. If you don’t see the Speak option right away, it might be hidden behind the More option. Navigating to the Speak feature after holding on text will be a similar process in most applications. 

Use Text-to-Speech in Safari Browser

Don’t want to strain your eyes while reading a super interesting blog online? You can use the in-built Text-to-Speech feature in Safari on iPhone and iPad. It will read aloud the entire blog from the beginning to the end without any interruptions. 

• Open the Safari Browser on your iPhone or iPad and head to the website or webpage you want to be read out aloud to you. 
• Tap the AA icon located in the bottom left corner of the address bar. 
• Tap the Listen to Page option in the pop-up menu and your device will start reading out aloud the contents of the website/webpage. 
• If you want to adjust the speed, rewind, skip, pause, or end listening to the page, tap the Listen to Page icon located at the bottom left corner and a pop-up will display all these options. 

Enable Speak Screen To Use Text-to-Speech for PDFs, eBooks, And More

If you have vision-related problems, it might not be the best idea to spend a lot of time on your iPhone or iPad. But, many of us use these devices to read news, books, research papers, etc. In this case, you can enable and use the Speak Screen feature which will convert all the text on the screen to speech. Here’s how to use the Speak Screen feature to convert Text-to-Speech on iPhone and iPad.

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone and head to the Accessibility option. 
• Tap the Spoken Content option. 

• Now, open any PDF files, eBook, etc . on your iPhone and iPad. 
• Swipe up from the top using two fingers and the Text-to-Speech feature will start reading out aloud the contents on the screen. 

You can use this feature on most apps on your iPhone and iPad. It might take a while to get used to swiping down from the top of the screen with two fingers. You might even fail many attempts, but will eventually get used to the process. 

Ask Siri To To Use Speak Screen Text-to-Speech on iPhone and iPad

Swiping down using two fingers to activate the Speak Screen feature is not very convenient. Moreover, you might even accidentally open the Notification Center or Control Panel while trying to do so. Therefore, a simpler method to activate the Speak Screen feature is to ask Siri to do it. 

• Enable the Speak Screen toggle on the next page. 
• Now, open any app of your choice where you want to use the Text-to-Speech feature to read aloud text. 
• Activate Siri and say, “ Hey Siri, Speak Screen. ”
• Siri will start reading out text on the screen. You can control the speed, play, pause, and rewind using the Speech Controller .  

Customize Text-to-Speech Voice and Speed

Don’t like the way the Text-to-Speech voice sounds? Is it too fast to understand or so slow that it takes forever to read aloud a single sentence? Don’t worry if you’re facing any of these problems. Because, you have total control over these factors and can easily change them. Here’s how you can customize the Text-to-Speech settings on your iPhone and iPad. 

• Select a Language of your choice from the list of available options. 
• Now, tap on a voice under the preferred accent. 
• On the next screen tap the Play button to listen to that voice. 

• Go back to the Spoken Content page. 

We hope this guide helps you learn how to use the Text-to-Speech feature on your iPhone and iPad. If you have any doubts, please let us know in the comments below. 

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• Darryl Dsouza

WIN an iPhone 16 Pro!

Dictate - Voice to Text 4+

Transcribe & translate - notes, christian neubauer.

• 4.3 • 389 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

New ! Edit and dictate text simultaneously. Dictation - Speech to text allows to dictate, record, translate and transcribe text instead of typing. It uses latest speech to text voice recognition technology and its main purpose is speech to text and translation for text messaging. Never type any text, just dictate and translate using your speech! Nearly every app that can send text messages can be configured to operate with 'Dictation - Speech to text'. Dictate uses the builtin speech to text recognition engine. Dictation - Speech to text features: ► Over 40 Transcribe Languages Dictation - Speech to text supports more than 40 languages. Dictate offers 3 text zones - indicated by language flags - for which you can configure a different language in the settings. Thus you can switch between different language projects with a singe click. ► Over 40 Translation Languages Translation is as easy as pushing the translation button. You can specify the translation target language in the app settings. Then you push the translate button to get it translated. ► Audio Recording Both, your audio recordings and your text files can be accessed via the Apple 'Files' app. ► Transcription of Recorded Audio Files Using the audio file transcription you can transcribe recorded audio files - containing speech - into text at a single click. All major audio file formats are supported. ► iCloud Synchronization Having enabled iCloud, your text is automatically synchronized across all your devices running Dictate, e.g. iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple Watch. ► Support for Impaired People Dictate now supports the system font size setting and provides configurable button sizes for visual impaired users. Also VoiceOver is carefully configured. ► Easy Text Sharing In order to send your dictated text messages quickly, there is a "Share"-button that allows to launch the target app, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Flickr, Email or whatever else is capable of receiving text from the system. ► Subscriptions Dictate offers a 7-day free trial, which converts into regular subscription unless you cancel 24h before end of trial period. ► Important Notes Concerning Subscriptions All above Dictation - Speech to text subscriptions renew within 24 hours before the current period ends, and you will be charged through your iTunes account. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Manage or cancel your subscription from iTunes Account settings. See our Terms & Conditions (https://www.ibn-software.com/app-terms-conditions) and Privacy Policy (https://www.ibn-software.com/app-privacy-policy).

Version 4.09

Fixed offline dictation issues. Fixed performance issues.

Ratings and Reviews

389 Ratings

Mainly good – a couple of bugs

I use this app to dictate my daily diary and it generally works well. (1) It does struggle with unfamiliar words and it would be useful if there was a facility whereby you could say a codeword and then spell out the new word and have it added automatically to a dictionary. I have tried adding special words to the dictionary manually, but it doesn’t make any difference. also specific spellings aren’t remembered Lucy versus Lucie for example. (2) something weird happens when you’re manually typing – you can’t scroll to the bottom of the screen properly so you can’t see what you’re typing, and if you move the cursor up a paragraph you then can’t move it back down again and you cannot continue typing anymore.

Probably the Best Dictation App Ever

If you're looking for a dictation app that is easy to use, accurate, and comes with great translation capabilities, then you should definitely try out this app. It's probably the best one available on the market right now. One of the things that makes this app so appealing is its ease of use. It has a simple interface that is easy to navigate and makes dictation a breeze. You won't have to spend hours trying to figure out how to use this app, and you'll be dictating like a pro in no time. Accuracy is also a top feature of this dictation app. The app is able to accurately transcribe your words into text, which is essential when using dictation software. You won't have to worry about the app making mistakes or getting your words wrong. Another great feature of this dictation app is its translation capabilities. The app is able to translate your dictation into other languages, which is perfect for those who need to communicate with people who speak different languages. The translations are accurate and reliable, making this app an essential tool for travelers and people who work in international business. Overall, if you've tried other dictation apps and haven't been satisfied, then you should definitely opt for this one. It's easy to use, accurate, and comes with great translation capabilities. So, if you're in need of a reliable and efficient dictation app, then give this one a try.

Very good, impressive App

I have tried a number of these dictation apps, and ‘Dictate’ is one of the better ones. If you want a simple, straightforward, and easy to use, piece of software to do the job without all the bells and whistles, then this is for you. Press the record button, speak and your words magically appear on the screen. Edit final text, then save and export. Job done! I would have given it 5 stars, however the UI is a bit basic, and I would have liked to see a list of all my previous dictated pieces, edited or otherwise, to be listed in the App itself for quick and easy access. Other than that, a great piece of kit.

App Privacy

The developer, Christian Neubauer , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

• Dictate Pro (1 month, iOS) £4.99
• Dictate Pro (1 year iOS/macOS) £17.99
• Dictate Pro (1 year, iOS) £12.99
• Pro (1 month, iOS/macOS) £5.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.

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