The 9 Best Speech-to-Text Apps for Android

Are you looking for the best speech-to-text app for your Android device? With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which app will meet your needs and provide accurate transcriptions.

Let’s explore the key features to look for in a speech-to-text app and compare some of the top apps on the market. 

Key Takeaways

• Speech-to-text apps save time by converting spoken language to written text.
• The best apps use advanced AI for precise transcription and often support multiple languages and dialects.
• Use apps with strong data protection measures to keep your transcriptions and recordings secure, especially when handling sensitive information.

What Are Speech-to-Text Apps?

Speech-to-text apps are tools that convert spoken language into written text using advanced technology, often powered by artificial intelligence or machine learning. 

These apps are designed to help users transcribe spoken words from conversations, meetings, phone calls, or other audio recordings into text automatically and accurately. 

They are widely used by professionals, students, and individuals who want to save time and improve productivity by eliminating the need for manual note-taking.

In the context of Android devices, speech-to-text apps provide a convenient way to capture spoken content on the go, whether you are conducting a meeting, recording a phone call, or simply wanting to document a conversation. 

Users can rely on these apps to create text from audio in real-time or from previously recorded audio files, making it easier to share, edit, and organize important information.

What Are the Features to Look for in a Speech-to-Text App for Android?

When searching for the best speech-to-text app for your Android device, consider these key features to ensure you find a reliable and efficient solution:

Accuracy of Transcription

A high-quality speech-to-text app should consistently deliver accurate transcriptions. Apps that utilize advanced AI and machine learning technologies often provide the most precise results. 

They can adapt to different accents, dialects, and speaking styles. Accurate transcriptions save you time and effort by minimizing the need for manual corrections.

Ease of Use and User-Friendly Interface

An intuitive and well-designed interface makes navigating and using the app a breeze. Look for apps with clear buttons, simple settings, and a clean layout that allows you to focus on dictation and transcription tasks without distractions. 

A user-friendly app should also offer features like easy sharing options, seamless integration with other tools, and quick access to your transcribed content.

Multi-Language Support

If you need to transcribe in multiple languages, choose an app that offers a wide range of language options. Some apps support dozens of languages and dialects, making them suitable for users with diverse language needs. 

Multi-language support ensures you can effectively use the app for transcription tasks in different linguistic contexts.

Data Security and Privacy Measures

Your audio recordings and transcriptions may contain sensitive information. So, prioritize apps with robust data security measures, such as encryption, secure cloud storage, and strict privacy policies. 

Apps that adhere to industry-standard security protocols and provide transparency about their data handling practices give you peace of mind knowing your information is protected.

Best Speech-to-Text App for Android at a Glance

Here’s how the top speech-to-text apps compare at a glance:

Tool	Best for	Accuracy	Pricing
Wave	Transcription, phone calls, and summaries	Very High	Free plan – 30 minutes/month Standard $12.99/month Pro $21.99/month
Gboard	Mobile users for on-the-go dictation	Moderate to High	Free
Speechnotes	Easy transcription with Google Docs	High	Free for basic use
Otter	Meetings, interviews, and collaboration	High	Free for basic Pro starts at $8.33/month, billed annually
Transcribe	Real-time transcription and editing	High	Starts at $20/year
SpeechTexter	Simple interface and multi-language	High	Free
Speechmatics	Accent support and speaker labeling	High	Custom pricing
Rev	AI and human transcription options	High	Pay-as-you-go starts at $0.035/minute
Dragon Anywhere	Professional dictation and customization	High	Starts at $15/month

Wave is one of the best speech-to-text apps for Android. It offers high accuracy, flexible pricing plans, and advanced features like customizable summaries, background recording, and cross-device synchronization.

1. Wave

Wave is a highly accurate transcription and summarization app that seamlessly records and transcribes conversations, phone calls, and other audio content. It offers secure storage, ensuring your data remains private.

Wave allows you to create tailored summaries of your transcriptions, making it easy to manage and review important information. This feature is useful for professionals who need to quickly digest key points from meetings or interviews.

With Wave’s background recording capability, you can capture audio even when the app is not actively running on your device. This means you won’t miss a moment of important conversations, even if you forget to open the app.

Wave’s cross-device synchronization ensures that your transcriptions and summaries are always up-to-date and accessible from any device. This feature is invaluable for users who work on multiple devices or collaborate with team members.

The app’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and manage your recordings, transcriptions, and summaries. Moreover, its advanced AI technology ensures that your transcriptions are highly accurate, reducing the need for manual editing and saving you time.

Wave’s speech-to-text capabilities support multiple languages. This feature is essential for users who operate in multilingual environments or need to transcribe conversations in different languages. Wave ensures that users get accurate and contextually appropriate transcriptions, regardless of language.

Pricing

Wave offers a flexible pricing structure that allows users to choose a plan that fits their needs. Whether you are an occasional user or someone who requires unlimited transcription and recording time, Wave has a plan that suits every budget.

Plan	Monthly Cost	Recording Time	Key Features
Free	$0	30 minutes	Audio/phone call recording Background recording (Android only)
Standard	$12.99	5 hours	Unlimited recording length High-quality transcription Background recording (Android only)
Pro	$21.99	Unlimited	Unlimited summary customizations Podcast & YouTube video imports Web-based dashboard access

With Wave’s pricing plans, users can start for free and upgrade as their needs grow, making it accessible for personal and professional use.

Pros and Cons of Wave

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of Wave:

Pros	Cons
Delivers precise transcriptions, even in noisy environments and with diverse accents. Near-instant transcription and summarization. Supports multiple languages for diverse linguistic needs. Syncs across Android and other platforms for easy access. Ensures secure data storage. Tiered pricing plans make it accessible to a wide range of users.	Only 30 minutes of recording time per month on the free plan. Requires an internet connection to process transcriptions. Advanced features like unlimited summary customizations are limited to the Pro plan.

Wave offers accurate transcription, customizable summaries, and secure, cross-device synchronization to meet your needs. Get Wave today to streamline your transcription process and focus on what matters.

2. Gboard

Gboard, the default keyboard for Android devices, offers a built-in dictation feature that allows you to easily convert speech to text. With support for over 900 languages and dialects, Gboard is a versatile option for users who need to transcribe in multiple languages.

In addition to voice typing, Gboard allows you to glide your finger from letter to letter for a faster typing experience.

Express yourself with a wide selection of GIFs, stickers, and emojis, making your transcribed messages more engaging and fun. It also seamlessly integrates with Google Translate, enabling you to translate your transcribed text into another language without leaving the app.

Gboard is a simple yet effective solution for speech-to-text needs, especially for Android users who want a free, versatile tool that supports a broad range of languages while integrating seamlessly with other Google services.

3. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is a user-friendly speech-to-text app that offers accurate transcription and automatic transcript saving. The app follows Google’s privacy policies, ensuring your data remains secure.

Speechnotes allows you to sync your transcriptions with Google Docs and share them with others, making collaboration easier.

The app’s clean and intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and use, even for first-time users.

Speechnotes offers transcription in various languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German. This is an ideal choice for users seeking a straightforward and secure speech-to-text app that integrates with Google services for easier cloud storage and sharing.

4. Otter

Otter is a powerful speech-to-text app for meetings, interviews, and lectures. It uses AI to provide real-time transcription and speaker identification, making it easier to follow along and review important points later.

Otter allows you to share transcripts with others, making it simple to collaborate on projects or distribute meeting notes to team members.

The app automatically highlights critical phrases and topics, making it easier to find and review important information within the transcript.

Otter is available on both Android and iOS devices, as well as through a web interface, ensuring you can access your transcriptions from any device.

Otter is an excellent option for professionals and teams who need advanced transcription tools with collaboration features, making meetings and discussions more productive and organized.

5. Transcribe

Transcribe is a popular speech-to-text app that offers real-time transcription and support for multiple languages. Its user-friendly interface and range of features make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to convert speech to text on their Android device.

Transcribe allows you to easily edit and format your transcriptions, ensuring your text is polished and professional.

You can export your transcriptions as text files, making it simple to share or use them in other applications.

Transcribe offers an offline mode, enabling you to transcribe audio even without an internet connection.

Transcribe is a reliable choice for transcribing audio in real-time. It offers the added flexibility of offline access and customizable editing options.

6. SpeechTexter

SpeechTexter is a free, easy-to-use speech-to-text app that supports various languages. Its simple interface and accurate transcription make it an attractive option for Android users.

SpeechTexter’s clean and straightforward layout makes it easy for you to navigate and use the app effectively.

You can save and share your transcriptions with others to streamline your workflow and facilitate collaboration.

SpeechTexter supports numerous languages, making it a versatile choice for users with diverse language needs.

7. Speechmatics

Speechmatics is a powerful speech recognition technology that delivers exceptional accuracy and supports various accents and dialects. With an accuracy rate of over 90%, Speechmatics provides reliable transcriptions for your Android device.

Speechmatics excels in recognizing various accents, including British and Jamaican accents.

The app’s speaker diarization feature detects and labels different speakers within the audio, making it easier to follow multi-speaker conversations and attribute quotes accurately.

Speechmatics offers extensive advanced punctuation, simplifying the transcription process and enhancing readability.

You can deploy Speechmatics in the cloud or on-premises to suit your organization’s infrastructure and security requirements. This adaptability makes Speechmatics a suitable choice for businesses and individuals alike.

While Speechmatics does not offer a free option, its on-demand and enterprise pricing plans cater to different usage levels and budgets. The app’s essential features, high accuracy, and accent support make it a strong contender for the best speech-to-text app for Android.

8. Rev

Rev offers a unique combination of AI-powered and human transcription services, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs and budget. With support for 37 languages worldwide, Rev is an excellent choice for users who require transcription in multiple languages.

Its AI-powered transcription service boasts an impressive accuracy rate of over 95%, ensuring that your transcriptions are reliable and require minimal editing.

If you need higher accuracy levels, Rev’s human transcription service delivers an unparalleled 99.9% accuracy rate. This is useful for critical applications where every word matters, such as legal or medical transcriptions.

Rev continuously innovates and plans to introduce new AI-powered features like automatic summaries and conversation assistants. These features will help you quickly digest the main points of your transcriptions and provide an interactive experience for managing audio content.

Rev’s mobile app for Android makes it easy to record and transcribe audio on the go. With a single tap, you can capture interviews, meetings, or ideas and access both AI and human-generated transcripts directly from your smartphone or tablet. 

The app’s user-friendly interface and seamless integration with Rev’s transcription services make it a top contender for the best speech-to-text app for Android.

9. Dragon Anywhere

Dragon Anywhere is a professional-grade speech-to-text app with high accuracy and advanced features. It allows you to dictate documents, send emails, and fill out forms using your voice, making it an efficient alternative to typing on your Android device.

Dragon Anywhere boasts high accuracy rates. The app adapts to unique voices and speech patterns over time, further improving its accuracy.

You can use voice commands to control the app, edit text, and apply formatting options like bold, italic, and underline. This hands-free approach streamlines workflow and allows you to create polished documents without manual input.

Dragon Anywhere lets you add custom words and phrases to its vocabulary, enabling it to recognize and transcribe industry-specific terms and vocabulary accurately. This feature is useful for professionals in fields with specialized terminology.

The app seamlessly integrates with popular cloud storage services like Dropbox and Evernote, enabling you to sync your dictated documents across devices and share them with colleagues or clients. This integration ensures that your work is always accessible and up-to-date, regardless of where you are.

How Do Speech-to-Text Apps Compare to Traditional Transcription Services?

Speech-to-text apps offer several advantages over traditional transcription services. 

Instant Results

These mobile-friendly solutions deliver instant results, allowing you to access transcribed content immediately after dictation. 

In contrast, human-based transcription services often require longer turnaround times, ranging from several hours to days, depending on the length and complexity of the audio.

Cost-Effective

Speech-to-text apps are generally more affordable than hiring human transcriptionists. Many apps offer free or low-cost subscription plans, making them accessible to many users. 

Traditional transcription services, on the other hand, typically charge higher fees to cover the costs of human labor and expertise.

Flexibility and Convenience

With speech-to-text apps installed on your Android device, you can dictate and transcribe audio anytime, anywhere. This allows you to capture ideas, take notes, or create content on the go without the need for a dedicated transcription setup. 

Mobile apps seamlessly integrate into your daily workflow, enabling you to maximize productivity and efficiency.

Multilingual Support

Many speech-to-text apps support multiple languages and dialects, making them suitable for users with diverse language needs. This feature is valuable for individuals and businesses that operate in international contexts or collaborate with partners and clients from different linguistic backgrounds.

While traditional transcription services provide human-level accuracy and may be preferable for certain specialized fields, such as legal or medical transcription, speech-to-text apps offer a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient solution for most everyday transcription needs. 

As AI and machine learning technologies continue to advance, the accuracy and functionality of these apps will improve, making them an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional transcription methods.

Frequently Asked Questions  

How Accurate Are Speech-to-Text Apps Compared to Human Transcriptionists?

While speech-to-text apps have significantly advanced in recent years, their accuracy varies depending on the specific app and its underlying technology. 

However, for most everyday transcription needs, the accuracy of top-performing speech-to-text apps is sufficient. 

Can Speech-to-Text Apps Handle Multiple Speakers and Accents?

Many speech-to-text apps now offer features designed to handle multiple speakers and various accents, although the effectiveness of these features may vary between apps.

Are there Free or Low-Cost Speech-to-Text Apps for Android?

Yes, several free and low-cost speech-to-text apps are available for Android devices.