Voice recognition technology has been popular in recent years. There are now a variety of apps available for both Android and iOS devices that can convert speech to text for free. These tools can be useful in various applications, such as dictation, transcription, and voice-controlled user interfaces.
Speech-to-text tools can also be used to make communication more accessible for people with disabilities or to improve productivity by allowing people to work hands-free. Additionally, they can be used in healthcare, law enforcement, and customer service to quickly and accurately transcribe spoken information.
However, there are many free speech-to-text apps in the market. So, this article will provide you with some of the best speech-to-text apps for Android and iPhone. Also, you will learn how to choose a good speech-to-text app. Keep reading to the end to know all the information.
Quick Answer: Which Free Speech-to-Text App Is Best?
If you want a free talk to text app for Android, Gboard is one of the easiest options for daily voice typing. If you need a free voice to text app for iPhone, Apple Dictation is one of the most convenient built-in choices. For users who want more flexibility for notes and transcription, SpeechTexter, Speechnotes, and Transcribe are strong options depending on platform and workflow.
Part 1: The best 6 free voice-to-text apps for Android
We've compiled a list of Android's top six free speech-to-text apps to make your life easier. Whether you're dictating a message, a social media post, or an email, these apps will make sure your words are transcribed accurately and efficiently.
(1) Gboard voice typing
Gboard is a popular free voice-to-text app with various features that allow you to use your voice to type, including speech-to-text and voice typing. The app also has a feature that allows you to slide your finger from one letter to the next instead of typing, making it perfect for when you're on the go.
Additionally, Gboard's voice typing feature allows you to type faster and includes a translation feature for easy communication with others. The app also incorporates handwriting options, enabling you to write in both printed and cursive letters.
Pros
Convenient and easy to use.
Default app in most Android phones.
It has a built-in translation feature, making it easy to communicate with people who speak different languages.
Cons
It can be less accurate than manual typing, particularly with background noise or accents..
Rating: 4 / 5
(2) Speech Texter
SpeechTexter is a speech-to-text app for Android that allows users to dictate text and have it transcribed into written form. It utilizes Google's database. Hence, you will have to download the necessary language packs to use them offline. SpeechTexter also has a custom dictionary feature where you can easily add personal information such as phone numbers and addresses.
Pros
SpeechTexter doesn’t require much storage (3MB app size).
It supports more than 70 languages.
Cons
Some users report problems while running the app, such as not running smoothly, microphone issues, and freezing.
Rating: 3,5 / 5
(3) Dragon Anywhere
Dragon Anywhere is a cutting-edge speech-to-text app with fast performance. It can be synced with other Dragon Professional desktop products and allows you to sync it to the Cloud and share documents with other apps like email, Evernote, and Dropbox. The software also comes with a lifetime of upgrades, so you can always have the latest features and improvements.
Pros
High accuracy and fast performance.
Can sync with other Dragon Professional desktop products.
Ability to sync to the Cloud and share documents with other apps like email, Evernote, and Dropbox.
Cons
No voice commands to start dictation.
Available only in certain regions.
Rating: 2,4 / 5
(4) English Voice Typing Keyboard
English Voice Typing Keyboard is a user-friendly free voice-to-text app designed for Android devices that allows you to dictate any text and have it transcribed into written form with high accuracy. It also allows you to edit and correct any errors in the transcribed text and has a feature to save it for future use.
Pros
Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
It can help increase typing speed and efficiency.
Lightweight and does not consume many resources.
Cons
The app's speech recognition capabilities are less accurate in certain situations, such as background noise, accents, or speech impediments.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
(5) E-Dictate App
E-Dictate is tailored to meet the needs of different groups of people, from bloggers, writers, and drivers to busy individuals, teenagers, and those who have difficulty finding letters on the keyboard. It's also perfect for visually impaired people and those who need to type quickly.
Pros
You are able to transform thousands of phrases into text.
Record your voice and convert the resulting mp3 file to text.
You can copy, change, share, export, and print notes with just one click.
Cons
Sometimes user experience delays or errors in the transcribing process.
(6) Speechnotes
Speechnotes is a user-friendly app that features a simple and easy-to-use interface. The app requires permission to access your microphone, but there is no need for any further setup. You can start dictating right away by simply clicking on the microphone button.
However, the app may struggle to recognize some words and phrases, particularly those that are less common or have specific business-related terminology. So, it is best for personal use only.
Pros
It is accessible on both PC and Android devices and does not require any downloads on PC.
Free with unlimited usage.
It offers multiple export options for the convenience of the user.
Cons
In-app advertisements for free options.
The app's accuracy level may not be as high as some others.
Rating 3 / 5
Part 2: The best 6 free voice-to-text apps for iOS
Just like Android, iOS also has a reliable voice-to-text app. Here are the top six free voice-to-text apps for iOS:
(1) Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is a speech-to-text app that works well and is built into iPhones 6s and up and iPads. This app also has great tools for punctuation and formatting. You can format and add punctuation like periods, commas, dollar signs, quotation marks, colons, and much more with just a few simple punctuation and formatting commands.
Pros
Ability to work offline.
Voice Control is a way to talk to your iPhone.
Dictation can be faster than typing for some people.
Cons
Limited availability in some countries.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
(2) Transcribe
The Transcribe app for iPhone is a highly-efficient tool for converting spoken words into written text. It supports various languages, including dialects, and can transcribe voice memos and videos. One of the key features of Transcribe is its built-in text search function, which allows for easy retrieval of previous transcriptions.
Pros
There are no ads.
Ability to export transcriptions to various platforms, such as messaging apps, email, Facebook, and notes.
User-friendly interface.
Cons
No disclosed accuracy rate.
Rating: 4 / 5
(3) Evernote
Evernote is a versatile and widely-used application primarily designed for note-taking but also serves various other functions. In addition to creating text-based notes, users can also clip articles from the web, scan documents, and add multimedia content such as images, videos, and audio recordings to their notes. This feature set makes Evernote a powerful tool for organization and productivity.
Pros
Convert scanned handwritten notes.
The transcription is faultless.
A multitude of essential templates.
Cons
Cannot save data offline.
Rating: 4 / 5
(4) Dictate2us
Dictate2us is a reputable transcription service provider that prides itself on its fast turnaround time. They offer a 24/7 transcribing service, which means that you can get your audio transcribed within an hour.
The process is simple: you must upload your recording to their platform, and a human transcriber will transcribe the audio for you. The transcription will then be reviewed by an editor for errors, and the final product will be sent to you as a Google doc file.
Pros
Fast turnaround time, with the ability to transcribe audio within an hour.
Human transcribers and editors ensure high accuracy.
The final transcription is delivered in a Google doc file, which is easy to edit and share.
Cons
The costs can add up quickly if you need to transcribe a lot of audio.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
(5) Rev Voice Recorder
Rev Voice is a transcription service that boasts exceptional accuracy and quick turnaround times. According to the company, they can transcribe a 30-minute recording with 99% accuracy or more and do it under 12 hours.
The app comes with a clean, user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to navigate. Along with transcription, it offers an audio recording feature, and you can use it to record audio and also trim the audio. The app allows you to record audio in the background, and it automatically pauses when you receive a call.
Pros
Get faster results with its AI Transcripts.
It’s equipped with an audio-trimming tool.
Auto-backup using Dropbox.
Cons
The app charges some fees for human transcriptions.
Rating: 4,1 / 5
(6) Tanscribe Voice Texting Pro
Transcribe Voice Texting Pro is a great tool for personal use and does a great job of transcribing the text, especially in a business context. You can use speech-to-text to take notes automatically, save them, and share them with everyone on the team.
Pros
Caters to people who have special needs.
Users can highlight text in the app.
Cons
No way to put pictures in notes.
Rating: 3 / 5
Quick Comparison of the Best Free Speech-to-Text Apps
If you're choosing a speech to text app free for Android or iPhone, expand the table below to compare offline support, best use cases, and the main limitations of each app.
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View the full comparison table of all 12 speech-to-text apps
App Platform Offline Use Best For User Pain Point Solved Main Limitation Gboard voice typing Android Limited Daily talk to text and messaging Fast voice typing without installing a separate keyboard workflow Accuracy may drop in noisy environments or with accents SpeechTexter Android Yes, with language packs Lightweight dictation and offline use Helpful for users who want offline speech input and multi-language support Some users report freezing or microphone issues Dragon Anywhere Android No Professional dictation workflows Good for users who care more about speed and cloud sync than casual texting Limited regional availability and no voice command to start dictation English Voice Typing Keyboard Android No clear offline focus Simple voice typing for beginners Easy option for users who want a lightweight app voice to text setup Speech recognition may be weak in noisy or complex speaking conditions E-Dictate App Android Not highlighted Voice note conversion and text export Useful for users who want to turn voice recordings or MP3 files into text Occasional delays or transcription errors Speechnotes Android / PC No Unlimited free dictation and export options Great for users who want a speak to text app free without usage caps Ads and average accuracy for difficult vocabulary Apple Dictation iPhone / iPad Yes Built-in iPhone dictation Best for users who do not want to install a separate app for speech to text Limited outside the Apple ecosystem and in some regions Transcribe iPhone No Searchable transcripts and exports Useful for users who need to find old notes quickly or share transcripts easily No disclosed public accuracy benchmark Evernote iPhone No Note-taking and productivity workflows Helpful for users who want speech input plus note organization in one place Cannot save data offline Dictate2us iPhone / Service-based No Fast human transcription Best for users who care more about accuracy than DIY dictation speed Costs rise quickly for frequent transcription Rev Voice Recorder iPhone No Recording plus transcription Good for users who want to record first and turn audio into text later Human transcription costs extra Transcribe Voice Texting Pro iPhone Not emphasized Business notes and accessibility use Helpful for users who want note sharing and text highlighting No image support in notes
Best Free Speech-to-Text Apps by Use Case
Best For
Best free talk to text app for Android: Gboard
Best free voice to text app for iPhone: Apple Dictation
Best offline dictation option: Apple Dictation
Best lightweight Android dictation app: SpeechTexter
Best for unlimited free use: Speechnotes
How to Choose
Choose Gboard if you want fast everyday voice typing on Android.
Choose Apple Dictation if you want built-in speech to text on iPhone.
Choose SpeechTexter if offline language pack support matters more.
Choose Transcribe or Evernote if your workflow is more focused on notes, search, and organization.
Part 3: Pro tips for choosing a speech-to-text app
If you are looking for a speech-to-text app to help you transcribe audio or dictate text, you might be overwhelmed by the many options available. It's normal to find it difficult to choose one.
So, here are some pro tips for choosing a speech-to-text app for your needs:
(1) Accuracy
One of the most crucial aspects to consider when choosing the best free voice-to-text app is its accuracy rate. Look for apps that have been tested and found to have high accuracy rates, as this will ensure that your transcriptions are as accurate as possible.
(2) Multi-language support
Look for apps that support a wide range of languages and dialects, as this will ensure that you can transcribe audio in any language you need. Some apps may only support a limited number of languages, while others may support a wide range of languages, including less common languages or dialects.
(3) High customer rating
A high customer rating is an important factor to consider when choosing a speech-to-text app. A high rating indicates that the app is well-liked by its users and has a good track record of performance.
Bonus part: What's the recommended speech-to-text software?
After comparing each free voice to text app in this guide, one thing becomes clear: mobile tools are great for quick everyday use, but they are not always the best fit for more demanding tasks. If you only need an android talk to text app for messages, short notes, or casual dictation, a free mobile option is usually enough. That is where tools like a built-in app speech to text keyboard or a lightweight speak to text app free solution make the most sense.
However, the workflow changes when you move beyond short voice input. If you need to turn longer audio into text, create subtitles from video, or handle content on a larger screen, a PC-based solution is often more practical. In that case, instead of relying only on an app for speech to text on your phone, it makes more sense to use dedicated desktop software with broader media support and editing tools.
So, if you are looking for more than a speech to text app free option and want a tool that can help with video-based transcription, subtitle generation, and file conversion, UniConverter is a natural next step. It is especially useful for users who have outgrown basic app voice to text workflows and want to manage speech-to-text tasks more efficiently on PC.
UniConverter is recommended because it does not just convert speech into text. It also helps users work directly with media files, which is important if your goal is to create subtitles from video content rather than simply dictate notes. For readers who started this article searching for apps for talk to text, this is the point where the need often shifts from simple mobile input to more complete desktop editing and subtitle production.
FAQs about Free Speech-to-Text Apps
1. What is the best free voice to text app for everyday use?
The best free voice to text app depends on your device and workflow. For quick daily typing, built-in tools usually feel the most convenient because they reduce setup time. If you mainly send messages, write short notes, or use voice input casually, the easiest option is often better than the most feature-heavy one.
2. Is there a good free talk to text app for Android without paying for extras?
Yes, there are several good options if you want a free talk to text app for Android. Some are better for lightweight voice typing, while others are more useful for longer dictation, note export, or offline use. The right choice depends on whether you care more about speed, language support, file export, or a cleaner ad-free experience.
3. Which speech to text app free option is best for long notes or meetings?
For long notes or meeting capture, it helps to choose a speech to text app free option that makes reviewing and organizing transcripts easier afterward. Search tools, note storage, export support, and the ability to handle longer recordings can matter more than simple voice typing. In these cases, a note-focused or transcript-focused app may be a stronger choice than a keyboard-based dictation tool.
4. Are free speech-to-text apps accurate enough for work?
They can be accurate enough for many work tasks, but results still depend on accent clarity, background noise, microphone quality, and subject matter. Free tools often perform well for general English and common phrases, but they may struggle with technical vocabulary, names, or fast overlapping speech. For business use, it is still smart to review the transcript before sharing or publishing it.
5. What should I look for in an app for speech to text if I travel or work offline?
If offline access matters, look for an app for speech to text that supports downloaded language packs or built-in offline dictation. This is especially useful when you travel, work in unstable network conditions, or want more privacy while dictating. You should also check whether offline mode works for full transcription or only for shorter voice input tasks.
