Do you need to transcribe an audio file to text or want to write a quick note, but your hands aren’t free? Consider using one of these speech-to-text apps on your Android phone.
Good to know: conversely, check out the best apps to transform text to speech.
1. Gboard
Price: Free
Gboard by Google makes it to the top of the list, due to its very accurate voice typing feature. Speak at a normal speed, and Gboard will be able to keep up. If you see that Gboard made a mistake, always manually edit the result.
To get started, open a chat or writing app. For instance, go to a conversation, and tap on the message box at the bottom in WhatsApp. Press on the small microphone icon (not the green microphone button) to start voice typing. The written message will appear immediately.
Note that you need to have the Show suggestions strip option activated under Text correction for the microphone icon to show up. Confirm that it’s on by going to Settings -> System -> Keyboard -> On-screen keyboard -> Gboard -> Text correction on your Android
Good to know: most third-party Android keyboard apps offer the speech-to-text feature, so make sure you search for it.
2. Write by Voice
Price: Free with premium options
If you prefer a standalone voice dictation app, try Write by Voice. This app features an intuitive interface, and you can use it to store all your speech-to-text projects.
Press the microphone to start speaking. The text should appear immediately in the main worksheet. The app allows you to easily copy all text or send it as a file to someone else. If you’re not satisfied with the result, clear all text, and start over again. The results were pretty good, but not perfect, in our experience.
When it’s time to check for errors, Write by Voice has a read-aloud option that will read the text back to you. Even better, the app supports accurate voice dictation in numerous languages. To remove ads and other limitations, it’s possible to subscribe to a premium tier.
3. Otter
Price: Free with premium options
Otter is a great app if you’re looking to transcribe conversations. It can be especially useful in meetings or to record phone calls.
Tap on the microphone icon as you start your conversation. The app will transcribe it, displaying separate phrases for each speaker. (Add participants to the conversation so that you know who is speaking.) Notes can be edited afterward. For instance, you can highlight important parts or add emojis, images, or replies.
Another highlight of this app is Otter AI, which can help you look for specific information in your notes. All these great features come at a price. While you can take advantage of 300 minutes for free, you’ll need to upgrade to a Pro account, which starts at $21 per month.
4. Speechnotes
Price: Free with premium options
Speechnotes is a feature-rich app. It allows you to dictate your notes and lets you pause as long as you want without having to tap on the mic icon again. The app doesn’t make you register for an account, so you can get started right away.
There are many languages to choose from for your dictation. Overall, the results are quite good, especially if you dictate using a steady, measured voice. The app lists shortcuts at the bottom of the display, so you can easily add a question mark or jump to the next line (as the app won’t identify these commands).
Speechnotes also makes it easy to send the notes to your friends or associates. Tap on the Send button at the top to share to various apps. You can also change the font in which the text will appear and do a word count. A premium version is available that removes ads and unlocks a custom keys option for $3.51 per month.
Tip: Sticky Notes not working in Windows? Learn how to fix it to start taking notes again.
5. OneNote
Price: Free
Created by Microsoft, OneNote is a note-taking app that brings many options for creating comprehensive notes. It even syncs your Sticky Notes from your Windows PC, allowing you to view and modify them from your mobile device.
To start a dictation, press on the mic button that appears in the bottom-right corner after you open the app. It will open a new note with voice dictation already enabled, ready for you to start speaking. The transcriptions are surprisingly accurate, complete with punctuation! On top of that, you can dictate in many languages.
You can add other elements to your notes, such as lists, tablets, images and more. Moreover, you can change the font for the text. The app also lets you record audio notes if you prefer that.
Note: Google’s Keep notes alternative also supports voice dictation.
6. Speech to Text
Price: Free with premium options.
Speech To Text is another voice dictation app you can try. It features a simple interface with a single dictation box. To start dictation, tap on the mic icon at the bottom to open a pop-up that decodes your speech pattern.
Alternatively, use the Continuous Speech to Text feature, which allows you to speak continuously. This method will generate various versions of the spoken text so that you can select the optimal variant. If the text needs additional editing, there are a few formatting options at the bottom.
After you have your text, you can copy it, or save it on your local device or within the app for later use (as TXT or PDF.) Speech To Text supports dictation in many languages. Upgrade to premium ($1.21 for 1 month) if you wish to remove ads and save unlimited notes to text as PDF.
Tip: Android has a Reading Mode function. Learn how to activate and use it.
If you need to convert speech (audio) to text on another type of device, check out this comprehensive article for suggestions. We also have options for recording audio on your Android device.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
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