3 Best Speech to Text Apps: Reviews & Comparisons

You are here for the best speech-to-text app because typing is so last century, right? Notes, emails, the great American novel—it’s all such an easy task for the right speech-to-text app. These apps are built on advanced speech recognition software, which transcribes spoken words into text seamlessly.

But with so many great options available, how do you choose just one? Don’t worry; this article will introduce you to the best speech-to-text apps of 2024. You’ll save time, energy, and those annoying typos that always seem to sneak their way into your best work!

And if you like an AI assistant who makes transcription and taking notes during meetings or lectures easy and helps you achieve a better work-life balance, I’ve got an amazing assistant for you (hint: it’s Jamie; we will get into the details later).

Let’s get into it!

Why Waste Time Typing?

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What to Look for in a Speech-to-Text App

Accuracy

The accuracy of a speech-to-text app is the most important feature. If the app can’t understand you, there’s no reason to use it. Look for apps that do well with your accent, pronunciation, and technical terms. You shouldn’t have to correct the app every few words.

Ease of Use

Is the transcription app hard to figure out or navigate? It should be as simple as opening the app and transcribing. Bonus points if it transcribes without constant interruptions so you can focus on other things while using it. And definitely look for apps that process audio quickly. You don’t want to be stuck waiting around for hours for audio to process. The goal is to have a seamless transcription.

Platform Compatibility

Your speech-to-text app should work on multiple platforms. Look for apps that are available on your platform, whether it’s Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. A native transcription app makes transcription easier because you can access it online and offline. Making transcription flexible to any environment.

Special Features

What really sets a good app apart from a great app are the extra features. Sharing transcription options is nice, like being able to send a link to shared text instead of an attachment. Other nice features include support for multiple languages and real-time collaboration. Another benefit would be for the transcription app to have speaker identification and an AI assistant to have real-time assistance with the stored notes. Additionally, voice commands enhance the functionality of speech-to-text apps by allowing users to insert punctuation, execute commands, and navigate features seamlessly.

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Best Speech-to-Text Apps of 2024

Best for iOS: Transcribe

Transcribe is an AI transcription tool for individuals and professionals who need fast and accurate transcription. With support for 120+ languages, integration with popular tools and a simple user experience it’s the go to transcription solution.

Key Features

• AI Transcription: Converts speech to text with support for 120+ languages.
• File Format: MP3, MP4, WAV, MOV, AVI and more for easy upload.
• Live Transcription: Record and transcribe conversations or meetings with editing tools.
• Zoom: Transcribe Zoom meetings and get instant notes.
• Collaboration & Cloud: Team sharing and store up to 1,000 files with no time limits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Supports 120+ languages with high transcription accuracy.
• Compatible with multiple file formats (MP3, MP4, WAV, etc.).
• Real-time transcription and built-in editing tools.
• Seamless integration with Zoom for meeting transcriptions.
• Accessible on iOS, macOS, and web browsers.

Cons

• Struggles with low-quality or noisy audio.
• Limited transcription hours in basic plans.
• Requires manual editing for complete accuracy.
• Higher costs for heavy users or teams.
• No free unlimited transcription option.

Pricing

Pro Plan: $14.99/month

Business Plan: $59.99/month

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Best for Android: Write by Voice - Speech to Text App

Write by Voice-Speech to Text app by UXAPPS LTD converts your spoken words to text in seconds. With over 10 million downloads and only 3.31 MB in size, it’s perfect for those looking for a simple and efficient speech-to-text. Works on Android 5.0 and above and has features for messaging, note taking and document creation.

Key Features

• Accurate Speech-to-Text: Powered by Google’s voice recognition for multi-language support.
• File Export: Export documents in TXT, PDF, DOCX and ODT formats.
• Offline Mode: Works offline by installing language packs.
• Customizable: Dark mode, pinch-to-zoom font resizing and editing history.
• Continuous Speech Recognition: Long speech sessions without interruptions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Small app size (3.31 MB).
• Unlimited documents with history undo/redo.
• Long speech and multilingual support.
• Professional document export (PDF, DOCX).
• Offline mode with language packs.

Cons

• Ads in the free version may be interrupted.
• Performance depends on Google’s voice recognition.
• Noise affects transcription accuracy.
• Some features behind in-app purchases.
• Free mode limited error message customization.

Prices

• $1: Small feature unlocks/upgrade.
• $9: Premium features/bundle.

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Best for Desktop: Jamie AI

Jamie AI is a speech-to-text software with meeting transcription and note-taking and is packed with real-time conversational intelligence. With its Executive Assistant Sidebar, Jamie is an all-in-one solution for when you need to retrieve past information, draft emails, and search the web for brainstorming or fact-checking.

Jamie values privacy, providing you with a bot-free transcription experience during meetings, and deletes audio right after transcription. Jamie is perfect for anyone who needs human-like, accurate transcriptions, privacy, and productivity.

Key Features

• Executive Assistant Sidebar: Get real-time help, just like using ChatGPT
• Works with any video conferencing platform and online or in-person meetings
• Offline Transcription: Jamie records meeting audio and transcribes offline
• Speaker Identification: Automatically labels who said what so your meeting notes
• Privacy-First Design: Fully GDPR compliant, data and audio deleted after transcription.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Sidebar helps with tasks like getting past meeting info, writing emails etc.
• Highly detailed notes including every decision and action item from your meetings.
• Transcribes quietly without a bot joining.
• Recognizes over 20+ languages and multiple accents.
• Perfect for in-person meetings or areas with no internet.

Cons

• No real-time transcription: Notes are only available after the meeting ends.
• No video transcription, only audio.
• Can’t upload pre-recorded audio for transcription.
• Free plan is limited in credits and meeting length.
• Needs updates to get the latest features.

Pricing

• Free: €0
• Standard: €24
• Pro: €47
• Executive: €99
• Company Pool: 100 credits for €100, €8 per user.

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Comparing the Top Speech to Text Apps

Feature Comparison Table

1. Accuracy

• Transcribe (iOS): High accuracy.
• Write by Voice (Android): Good accuracy.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): High accuracy.

2. Platform Compatibility

• Transcribe (iOS): Compatible with iOS, macOS, and Web.
• Write by Voice (Android): Compatible with Android 5.0+.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Compatible with all conferencing platforms.

3. Offline Mode

• Transcribe (iOS): Does not support offline mode.
• Write by Voice (Android): Supports offline mode.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Supports offline mode.

4. Special Features

• Transcribe (iOS): Offers Zoom integration and real-time transcription tools.
• Write by Voice (Android): Provides export options and customization features.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Features an "Executive Sidebar" for additional functionality.

5. Speaker Identification

• Transcribe (iOS): Does not support speaker identification.
• Write by Voice (Android): Does not support speaker identification.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Supports speaker identification.

6. Real-Time Transcription

• Transcribe (iOS): Supports real-time transcription.
• Write by Voice (Android): Supports real-time transcription.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Does not support real-time transcription.

7. Privacy

• Transcribe (iOS): Cloud storage is used, which may have privacy concerns.
• Write by Voice (Android): Privacy is dependent on Google services.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Compliant with GDPR, ensuring high privacy standards.

8. File Export Options

• Transcribe (iOS): Supports multiple formats for exporting files.
• Write by Voice (Android): Exports files in formats like PDF, DOCX, and ODT.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Shares files via email and private links.

9. Languages Supported

• Transcribe (iOS): Supports over 120 languages.
• Write by Voice (Android): Supports multiple languages (specific number not mentioned).
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Supports 20+ languages.

10. Free Plan

• Transcribe (iOS): Offers a limited free plan.
• Write by Voice (Android): Includes ads in the free plan.
• Jamie AI (Desktop): Offers a limited free plan.

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Pricing Breakdown

Transcribe (iOS)

• Pro Plan: $14.99/month
• Business Plan: $59.99/month

Write by Voice (Android)

• Small Feature Unlocks: $1
• Premium Features/Bundles: $9

Jamie AI (Desktop)

• Free Plan: €0 (limited credits and meeting length)
• Standard Plan: €24
• Pro Plan: €47
• Executive Plan: €99
• Company Pool Plan: 100 credits for €100 (€8 per user)

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Summary of Pricing

• Transcribe: Monthly plans ranging from $14.99 to $59.99.
• Write by Voice: One-time payments for feature unlocks ranging from $1 to $9.
• Jamie AI: Flexible pricing with free and paid plans ranging from €24 to €99/month or €8 per user in the Company Pool plan.

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How to Choose the Best Speech to Text App

Key Factors to Consider

Accuracy

• High accuracy even in noisy environments
• Supports your accent, technical terms and language fluency so you don’t have to correct manually

Platform

• Works on your devices and operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
• Works online and offline
• App with simple interface to start transcribing quickly without going through menus.
• App with auto transcription, quick processing and seamless navigation.

Additional Features

• Depending on your use case:
• Speaker identification (to label who is speaking)
• Real-time transcription for note-taking
• Multi-language support
• Collaboration tools and cloud sharing

Privacy

• Check the app’s privacy policy if you’re dealing with sensitive or confidential audio.
• GDPR compliant apps or on-device processing or delete audio files after transcription.

Pricing

• Choose an app that fits your budget, upfront and long term.
• Free plans or trial versions are good to test before committing to a paid plan.

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Narrow It Down By Your Needs

For Professionals - Jamie AI (Desktop)

• Meeting transcription with speaker identification and GDPR compliant privacy
• Users who need post-meeting notes and productivity tools offline and online
• Real time assistant without leaving your screen with Sidebar - Your personal executive assistant

For iOS Users - Transcribe

• Multi-language support, real-time transcription, Zoom integration
• Professionals with high volume of transcription and various audio formats

For Android Users- Write by Voice

• Lightweight, budget friendly apps for everyday use
• Note-taking, messaging, document creation on the go

Budget Friendly- Write by Voice (Android)

• One-time payment with feature unlocks from $1
• Essential features for casual users

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How to Choose

1. Define Your Use Case

• Meetings, academic, content creation, personal notes?

2. Match Features to Needs

• Compare the app’s features to your needs. For example:
• Real-time transcription? Transcribe or Write by Voice
• GDPR compliance, human-like transcription and speaker identification? Jamie AI

3. Test Free Versions

• Use free trials or free plans to test accuracy, ease of use and compatibility

4. Pricing

• Features vs budget. For professional or team use, go for higher tier plans.

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Our Pick

• For overall best experience, choose Jamie AI for its privacy-first design and productivity features.
• For affordable, accurate transcription on mobile, choose Write by Voice (Android) or Transcribe (iOS)

Choosing the right speech-to-text app is all about balancing your needs for accuracy, platform support, privacy and cost. Use the above to pick an app that fits your goals and your workflow.

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Speech-to-Text App FAQs

What is the best speech-to-text app?

The best speech-to-text app depends on your needs. If you value high accuracy, privacy, and productivity, Jamie AI is an exceptional choice. Its unique features, like the Executive Sidebar and offline transcription, make it perfect for meetings, brainstorming, and capturing key decisions.

How does speech recognition work?

Speech recognition converts spoken words into text using advanced algorithms. Jamie AI leverages cutting-edge AI to transcribe speech accurately, even in environments with multiple speakers or diverse accents.

What is a speech-to-text app?

A speech-to-text app transcribes spoken words into text for easier note-taking or content creation. Jamie AI is a speech to text app that offers speaker identification, offline and online mode, and GDPR-compliant privacy.

Are there any top-rated speech-to-text apps?

Yes, popular choices include Transcribe, Write by Voice, and Jamie AI. For professionals seeking detailed meeting notes and enhanced productivity, Jamie AI stands out with its real-time transcription and robust features.

Can speech-to-text apps transcribe spoken words accurately?

Yes, many apps, including Jamie AI, boast high accuracy. Jamie even handles complex accents and multiple speakers, ensuring that your meeting notes are reliable and error-free.

What is leading speech recognition technology?

Leading speech recognition technology uses AI and machine learning to convert speech to text. Jamie AI incorporates these technologies for accurate transcription, while maintaining privacy with its GDPR-compliant design.

Can a dictation app help me with productivity?

Absolutely! Apps like Jamie AI enable you to focus on speaking rather than typing, streamlining tasks like note-taking, drafting emails, and recording decisions during meetings.

How do I transcribe speech into text?

To transcribe speech, use an app like Jamie AI, which allows you to record live voice audio and generate accurate transcriptions. With its offline mode, you can even transcribe without an internet connection.

Can I transcribe audio files with speech-to-text apps?

Yes, apps like Jamie AI can transcribe audio files, you just have to play the audio in the background, and Jamie will capture it, and later transcribe into amazing transcription and summaries. Unlike other tools, Jamie focuses on privacy by deleting your audio after transcription, ensuring secure and reliable service.

Can speech-to-text apps handle voice memos?

Yes, voice memos can be transcribed with apps like Jamie AI. It converts your memos into organized notes, making them easy to retrieve and share.

Can these apps handle video and other media?

While many apps only handle both audio and video, Jamie AI excels at transcribing in-person or online meetings. However, Jamie is optimized for live audio transcription rather than direct video file uploads.

What makes apps like Just Press Record different from Jamie AI?

While apps like Just Press Record focus on simple audio recording, Jamie AI offers a full suite of transcription features, including speaker identification, offline transcription, and the ability to organize meeting notes for future reference.

Should I use human transcription services instead?

Human transcription services can be costly and time-consuming. With Jamie AI, you get near-human accuracy and immediate results, saving both time and money.

Can these apps work in noisy environments?

Noise affects transcription accuracy, but Jamie AI minimizes errors by using advanced AI to filter out background noise, ensuring accurate transcriptions even in less-than-ideal settings.

How do apps handle multiple speakers?

Speaker identification is crucial for distinguishing between speakers. Jamie AI excels in this area by automatically labeling speakers, making it perfect for meetings or interviews.

Do I need an internet connection to transcribe?

Not necessarily. Jamie AI offers offline transcription, allowing you to record and transcribe meetings without an active internet connection.

How reliable is voice recognition?

Voice recognition technology is highly reliable in apps like Jamie AI, which uses advanced AI to adapt to different accents and complex terminologies.

Can I find free speech-to-text options?

Yes, many apps offer free plans, including Jamie AI. However, the free plan is limited in credits and meeting lengths, making the paid versions a better option for power users.

What features help convert speech to text?

Features like real-time transcription, offline mode, and speaker identification make speech-to-text seamless. Jamie AI includes all these features, along with privacy-first transcription.

Are these apps useful for converting speech into notes?

Absolutely! Jamie AI makes converting speech into organized, actionable notes easy with features like the Executive Sidebar and searchable meeting archives.