The best dictation software in 2026
Start with the free dictation built into your device. It's good enough for most people. Pay for an app if you dictate for hours, want the same dictation in every program, or want filler words and rambling cleaned up automatically. Here's what fits which need.
How this guide was made: it's based on each maker's published features, prices and privacy information, last checked on October 23, 2026. We haven't tested these apps hands-on yet, and we'll say so on any page where we have. Prices change often, so check the maker's site before you buy. How we compare
Picks by need
| If you want… | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Free, nothing to install | The dictation built into your device | Every Mac, Windows PC, iPhone and Android phone has it. How to turn it on |
| The same dictation in every app, on every device | Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Typeless | They run on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, and clean up what you say |
| Privacy and offline use | Superwhisper, Spokenly, MacWhisper | Free plans that run speech recognition on your own device |
| The cheapest paid option | Spokenly | A $29 one-time plan for local models |
| Business privacy controls (HIPAA) | Willow Voice, Wispr Flow | Both offer a Business Associate Agreement for healthcare teams |
| Custom voice commands on Windows | Dragon Professional | Long-standing, Windows only, expensive |
| Hands-free control of the whole computer | Talon Voice, or the free Voice Control (Mac) and Voice Access (Windows) | Built for accessibility and coding with RSI |
Everything side by side
| App | Works on | Free option | Paid from | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in dictation | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, ChromeOS | Free | — | Apple: many languages on device. Windows voice typing: no. |
| Wispr Flow | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | 2,000 words a week on desktop | $12/mo billed yearly ($15 monthly) | No, cloud only |
| Aqua Voice | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | 1,000 words in total | $10/mo billed yearly ($12 monthly) | Not stated |
| Typeless | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android | Limited words each week | $12/mo billed yearly | Not stated |
| Willow Voice | Mac, Windows, iPhone | Basic plan | About $12–15/mo | Optional offline mode |
| Superwhisper | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Unlimited with on-device models | $8.49/mo, $84.99/yr or $249.99 once | Yes |
| Spokenly | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone | Unlimited with on-device models | $29 once (local) or $9.99/mo (cloud) | Yes |
| MacWhisper | Mac | Free tier | One-time Pro licence | Yes |
| Monologue | Mac, iPhone, iPad | 1,000 words | $12/mo billed yearly ($15 monthly) | Transcribes on the Mac |
| Dragon Professional | Windows | — | About $699 once, from retailers | Not stated |
| Talon Voice | Mac, Windows, Linux | Free, funded by donations | — | Yes |
How to choose
- Try the free built-in dictation first. If it's accurate enough and you only dictate now and then, you're done.
- Decide whether you need every app. Built-in dictation already works in most apps, but paid apps add automatic cleanup, a learning dictionary and the same experience across all your devices.
- Decide where your audio should go. Cloud apps (Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Willow) send audio to their servers. Local apps (Superwhisper, Spokenly and MacWhisper on their free plans) keep it on your device.
- Use the free tier for a week before paying. Every paid app above has a free plan or trial.
What's changed recently
- Dragon Anywhere, Nuance's mobile app, stopped being sold on July 1, 2026, according to its App Store listing. There has been no Dragon for Mac since 2018. See Dragon alternatives.
- Windows Speech Recognition has been replaced by Voice Access on Windows 11.
Guides by platform and need
- FreeThe best free dictation options in 2026, from the dictation built into Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android to free apps with unlimited on-device dictation.
- MacThe best Mac dictation in 2026, from free Apple Dictation to Superwhisper, MacWhisper, Spokenly, Wispr Flow and Monologue. No Dragon for Mac.
- WindowsThe best Windows dictation in 2026, from free voice typing and Voice Access to Wispr Flow, Aqua Voice, Spokenly and Dragon Professional.
- iPhoneThe best dictation apps for iPhone in 2026, from free built-in dictation to Wispr Flow, Willow, Aqua Voice and Superwhisper. Dragon Anywhere is gone.
- For writersHow writers can dictate drafts faster, and the tools that suit long-form writing, from free Google Docs voice typing to Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice.
- Dragon alternativesDragon Anywhere is no longer sold and there's no Dragon for Mac. The best Dragon alternatives in 2026 for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, free and paid.
Sources
Prices and features are from each maker's own site, linked in the table, checked October 23, 2026. Dragon pricing is from retailer listings because Nuance doesn't publish a price. The Dragon Anywhere end of sale is from its App Store listing.