For me, inspiration strikes when I least expect it. A brilliant idea pops up under the shower, in the cab, or during a leisurely walk. But capturing those fleeting thoughts has been a real challenge.
Juggling multiple tasks—from writing blog posts to designing graphics—also hinders productivity. Constant context switching saps energy and slows me down.
That’s how I discovered the usefulness of voice technology software. Imagine a world where your thoughts can be transformed into text instantly. Speech-to-text technology has made this a reality. With a speech-to-text app, you can capture your ideas on the fly. No more lost thoughts!
Modern speech recognition software boasts impressive accuracy rates, often exceeding 99.9% for clear audio.
After rigorous testing and research by the ClickUp team, I have compiled the 10 best speech-to-text tools to help you achieve efficiency in your content creation journey.
But first, let’s discuss the features that you should look out for in good speech-to-text software.
10 Best Speech-to-Text Software in 2024
- What You Should Look for in Speech-to-Text Software
- The 10 Best Speech-to-Text Software to Use
- 1. ClickUp—Best for transcription and audio projects
- 2. Lovo—Best for ultra-realistic text-to-speech
- 3. ReadAloud—Best for easy listening on the go
- 4. Speechify—Best for all-in-one text-to-speech and dictation
- 5. Capti Voice—Best for education and dyslexia support
- 6. Voice Dream Reader—Best for immersive reading with accessibility
- Voice Dream Reader limitations
- 7. WordTalk—Best for a simple and free reading experience
- 8. WellSaid Labs—Best for Hollywood-quality narrations
- 9. NaturalReader—Your everyday text-to-speech companion
- 10. TTS Reader—Your no-frills text-to-speech tool
- Use ClickUp and Go from Speech to Text in Seconds
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat You Should Look for in Speech-to-Text Software
Experimenting with different speech-to-text tools taught me a valuable lesson: finding the right fit is crucial.
Here’s what you should prioritize when picking a speech-to-text tool:
- Accuracy: The best dictation software understands natural speech accents, even amid background noise. It would help if you didn’t have to spend hours cleaning up a messy transcript—the software should get it right the first time
- Ease of use: Don’t get bogged down by a clunky interface. The best speech-to-text software should be intuitive and user-friendly. You want to focus on capturing your ideas rather than wrestling with complex settings
- Compatibility: Look for a compatible system to ensure that the creative process runs smoothly and without interruption. Integration with your existing workflow is a must
- Price: Speech-to-text options range from free to premium. Consider your needs and budget. Free options are great for basic tasks, while feature-rich paid software is a better fit for complex projects
- Export options: Choose a tool that allows you to export your transcripts in various formats, such as .txt, .docx, or .pdf, for easy integration with your existing workflow
- Advanced editing tools: Powerful editing features such as speaker identification, timestamping, and noise reduction are valuable features for transcribing interviews, meetings, or lectures
- Security: If you’re dealing with sensitive information, ensure the speech-to-text software offers robust security features, including data encryption and access controls
By prioritizing these factors, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect speech-to-text transcription software—whether for Windows, iOS, or Android.
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best Speech-to-Text Software to Use
Now that you have a wish list for your ideal features, it’s time to explore the exciting world of speech-to-text apps and software.
The following list features free and premium choices:
1. ClickUp—Best for transcription and audio projects
ClickUp is much more than just a project management software. It can also be an audio/video recording and AI-powered transcription tool.
Let’s check out its multiple features that can optimize your speech-to-text needs:
ClickUp Clips
This isn’t just about recording audio; it’s about capturing ideas in the moment and seamlessly with your workflow. With ClickUp Clips, you can record and share short video messages directly within the ClickUp platform.
Here’s how it can assist you:
- Record a Clip using ClickUp, and the built-in AI automatically transcribes the content. This includes timestamps and snippets, making it easy to scan highlights, jump to specific sections, and copy relevant text
- Share Clips effortlessly with your team. You can embed them in ClickUp, generate public links, or download the video files for various use cases
- Leave comments directly on Clips to start conversations. ClickUp displays the timeline of all comments, allowing accessible replay of specific sections
- Transform any Clip into an actionable ClickUp Task. Embed it in task descriptions, assign owners, and manage ideas shared during discussions
- Leverage multiple languages to transcribe meetings with international colleagues and customers
- Integrate seamlessly with everything you already do in ClickUp. Just click the video icon to create a Clip right within any conversation. There is no need to switch tools or upload files
What’s more? ClickUp Brain indexes Clip transcripts, making the content instantly searchable. Ask AI questions, and it will search through the transcriptions to bring up buried knowledge for your entire team.
ClickUp Brain
ClickUp Brain, the AI-powered assistant, takes things a step further. It can assist with content creation by suggesting topics, writing outlines, or even generating initial drafts based on the proposed audio content.
It can also help you:
- Craft messages efficiently by using shorthand. The AI will create well-phrased responses with the perfect tone
- Generate meeting minutes by transcribing the audio and summarizing key points. This saves time and ensures accurate documentation of decisions made
- Automatically convert voice into text and use AI to answer questions from meetings and video clips
Alongside ClickUp Brain, you can use ClickUp Whiteboards as a collaborative space to brainstorm, map out ideas, and even capture audio snippets. Imagine recording a quick explanation of a concept, transcribing it with ClickUp Brain, and then visually representing it on a whiteboard. With ClickUp, It’s almost like magic!
ClickUp Brain Max: capture ideas the instant they appear
Talk to Text in ClickUp Brain Max: Dictate anywhere—on your desktop and across apps—and Brain Max turns speech into clean text, then drops it into Docs, tasks, or comments with timestamps and auto-formatting
Model switching (Brain & Brain Max): Choose the right model for the moment (e.g., speed vs. nuance) directly in ClickUp Brain—and Brain Max inherit the same flexibility
Stay in flow: Voice-capture a thought, have AI tidy it up, and convert it into an actionable task without leaving your workspace
ClickUp best features
- Use ClickUp Goals to define your speech-to-text project goals and break them into actionable steps. You can even create custom metrics to track transcription accuracy, turnaround time, and other relevant KPIs
- Leverage ClickUp’s Universal Search to search across your entire workspace, including tasks, Docs, and Clips for older transcriptions
- Organize and structure your thoughts with ClickUp Docs. Outline your business messaging strategy, collaborate with your team, and even link to relevant Clips for additional context
- ClickUp Integrations offer a wide range of third-party tools, such as Loom, Otter.ai, and Fireflies.ai, including tools that offer speech-to-text or text-to-speech functionalities
- Leverage built-in security and privacy features
ClickUp limitations
- New users might experience a learning curve due to ClickUp’s extensive features
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp AI: Add to any paid plan for $7 per member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
Also read: How to Use AI for Documentation
2. Lovo—Best for ultra-realistic text-to-speech
Lovo.ai, a web-based AI tool, can create professional-sounding voiceovers. It’s useful for anyone who wants to generate realistic-sounding audio to match their business tone for presentations or explainer videos.
It includes many voices in over 100 languages and various accents. It is fantastic for global teams, allowing you to tailor voiceovers to the specific language and tone needed for each project.
Lovo.ai goes beyond just providing voice typing. It can also fine-tune speech rate, pitch, and emphasis to match the desired style, professional or casual, perfectly. This level of control ensures clear and impactful communication.
Lovo best features
- Generate content outlines in an instant, add royalty-free images in HD to your videos, edit the videos, and add subtitles, all within the Lovo platform
- Integrate with other tools, such as Google Drive and Evernote, and convert documents and webpages to audio directly within your existing workflow
- Collaborate efficiently with LOVO Teams, securely storing and accessing projects in the cloud
- Developers can leverage LOVO’s versatile API to incorporate advanced AI voices into their applications or services
Lovo limitations
- An internet connection is essential as Lovo is a web-based app with no option of installing desktop software
- Creating a custom voice model with Lovo can involve some trial and error and may require a significant investment of your time
Lovo pricing
- Free
- Basic: $29/user per month
- Pro: $48/user per month
- Pro+: $149/user per month
Lovo ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (150+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (55+ reviews)
3. ReadAloud—Best for easy listening on the go
ReadAloud is a browser extension that transforms web pages into audiobooks.
It’s free to use, making it a budget-friendly option for anyone wanting to explore text-to-speech functionality. This is a big plus for casual users or students who might only need some of the bells and whistles of paid tools.
While it doesn’t offer a dictation feature, ReadAloud excels at making online content more accessible, especially for those who prefer listening over reading.
ReadAloud best features
- Handle a variety of content, including documents, webpages, emails, and PDFs
- Listen to text in the background while you work on other tasks or when you switch to other browser tabs
- Integrate the tool seamlessly with your web browser and just click a button to have it read any webpage article, news story, or blog post aloud
- Choose from a variety of natural-sounding male and female narrator voices to personalize your listening experience
ReadAloud limitations
- ReadAloud has no offline listening option and requires an internet connection to function
- Poorly formatted documents or websites might not translate smoothly into an audiobook experience
ReadAloud pricing
- Free browser extension
ReadAloud ratings and reviews
- G2: Not available
- Capterra: Not available
4. Speechify—Best for all-in-one text-to-speech and dictation
Speechify caught my attention with its extensive focus on artificial intelligence and personalization.
This tool is a versatile option for content creators, writers, and anyone who wants to leverage the power of their voice. With one click, you can change a video into any language. The tool will also match the speaker’s voice, intonation, and speed.
You can access Speechify’s features from your computer, phone, or web browser extension. For instance, with Speechify, you can create high-quality AI clones of human voices within seconds, right in your browser, without installing anything.
Speechify also has built-in accessibility features and allows speed adjustments during a session, which makes it a valuable tool for users with learning disabilities or visual impairments.
Finally, with Speechify Studio, you can create AI-generated voiceovers for diverse use cases. This product includes voice cloning, 200+ voices, 60+ languages, emotional and speed controls, and more.
Speechify best features
- Control the narration speed to suit your comfort level while listening to the content
- Leverage offline access by taking a photo of text and letting Speechify read it to you
- Access over 40+ languages for increased versatility with Speechify premium
Speechify limitations
- Speechify’s pricing and feature set seem to be geared more toward professionals and businesses than casual users
- Mastering advanced voiceover customization options might require you to invest a significant amount of time
Speechify pricing
Speechify text-to-speech plans:
- Free: Limited
- Basic: $29/month per user
Speechify studio plans:
- Free
- Basic: $69/month per user
- Professional: $99/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Speechify ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
5. Capti Voice—Best for education and dyslexia support
Capti Voice is a mobile device-based software that caters to the needs of students, educators, and those with dyslexia or reading difficulties.
This tool includes features that enhance the learning experience, such as a built-in dictionary, translation tools, and creating bookmarks and highlights within your text.
You can transcribe and read aloud various documents in multiple formats and languages, including PDFs, ebooks, webpages, and even scanned documents. You can also download documents for offline reading and listening and continue to access learning materials even without an internet connection.
Capti Voice’s best features
- Leverage Capti Voice’s integration with OCR software to transform scanned documents and images into editable text, making physical documents and handwritten notes accessible
- Capti Voice’s compatibility with various assistive technologies, including speed control, optical character recognition, text highlighting, and font adjustments, catering to users with dyslexia or visual impairments
- Use Capti Voice’s cross-platform accessibility with mobile apps, enabling on-the-go access to text-to-speech functionalities and learning materials from any device
Capti Voice limitations
- Capti Voice has no free tier, and its pricing structure can be steeper than the basic versions
- Capti Voice might not be the most robust option for dictation compared to some of the other tools we’ve covered
Capti Voice pricing
- Individual Plan: Free with optional in-app purchases
- Educational Plans: Starting from $500 per year
Capti Voice ratings and reviews
- G2: Not available
- Capterra: Not available
6. Voice Dream Reader—Best for immersive reading with accessibility
Voice Dream Reader offers a full-fledged reading experience for anyone who enjoys listening to digital content. One of its unique features is that it pays special attention to small UX details. For example, if you rewind for 30 seconds, the app starts reading from the beginning of a complete sentence, which makes your listening experience seamless.
It can handle voice commands and a wide range of file formats. You can process PDFs, ebooks, webpages, and even plain text files and convert them to audio.
Voice Dream Reader’s best features
- Enhance accessibility with Voice Dream Reader’s integration of text-to-speech for physical books, benefiting users with visual impairments
- Optimize reading comprehension with Voice Dream Reader’s text highlighting feature, allowing for visual tracking and improved focus
- Download the software on your devices and listen to documents anytime, online or offline
Voice Dream Reader limitations
- While there’s a desktop version, Voice Dream Reader is primarily designed for mobile use
- Voice Dream Reader is only available for Mac and iOS users. It doesn’t have an Android app which might be a limitation for Windows or Linux users
Voice Dream Reader pricing
- Free Trial: 7
- After Trial: $79.99/year per user
Voice Dream Reader ratings and reviews
- G2: Not available
- Capterra: Not available
7. WordTalk—Best for a simple and free reading experience
WordTalk is a straightforward free text-to-speech app that can be handy for people with reading and writing difficulties.
It’s available as a Microsoft Word plugin under the ‘Add-Ins’ tab in Microsoft Word.
WordTalk is a solid option for basic text-to-speech needs. However, if you require advanced features, offline functionality, or broader compatibility, you should explore paid alternatives.
Its interface is uncomplicated, with clear buttons for controlling playback and highlighting text as it’s spoken. It’s perfect for users who aren’t comfortable with complex software.
WordTalk best features
- Expand your vocabulary with WordTalk’s integration of talking dictionaries, enabling instant audio definitions for enhanced learning
- Simply click where you want WordTalk to start reading, then choose from options such as reading the entire document, a paragraph, a sentence, or a single word
- Convert text to speech and save it as a WAV or MP3 file
WordTalk limitations
- Currently only available for Windows operating systems, and Mac or Linux users will need to explore alternative options
- Customization options for the voice itself (speed, pitch, etc.) are minimal, and complex vocabulary can lead to minor errors
WordTalk pricing
- Free plugin
WordTalk ratings and reviews
- G2: Not available
- Capterra: Not available
8. WellSaid Labs—Best for Hollywood-quality narrations
WellSaid Labs takes text-to-speech and voice control to a new level, offering crystal-clear, hyper-realistic AI voices of sound studio quality. Their massive library of voices is impressive, from natural-sounding to downright quirky.
What truly sets them apart is their level of control. This includes granular editing tools that let you fine-tune every aspect of your narration—from pacing and emphasis to breaths and pauses.
If you’re serious about creating high-quality audio content, put WellSaid Labs on your shortlist, elevate your production value, and make your storytelling shine.
WellSaid Labs’ best features
- Simplify your workflow by integrating WellSaid Lab directly into popular editing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro for seamless audio synthesis
- Create custom voices tailored to your specific needs. This feature is valuable for branding and personalized experiences
- Access your voice projects from anywhere. WellSaid Labs operates and stores files in the cloud, making collaboration and sharing straightforward
WellSaid Labs limitations
- Mastering the advanced editing tools has a learning curve and can take some time and practice
WellSaid Labs pricing
- Studio Trial: Free for one week
- API Trial: Free for two weeks
- Maker: $49/month per user
- Creative: $99/month per user
- Business: $199/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
WellSaid Labs ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
9. NaturalReader—Your everyday text-to-speech companion
NaturalReader can benefit people with dyslexia or visual impairments with its text-to-speech functionality and dyslexia-friendly fonts.
With NaturalReader, you can create audiobooks from articles, PDFs, or ebooks in a snap! The narration is natural and feels like a human reading the text.
Whether you’re a student catching up on readings, a busy professional conquering emails on the go, or someone who prefers listening to speech patterns and spoken words rather than reading words, NaturalReader has you covered.
NaturalReader best features
- Instantly clone any voice using AI. It is perfect for personalized experiences and branding
- Access over 50 languages and 200+ AI voices
- Leverage new multi-lingual voices powered by Large Language Models (LLM)
NaturalReader limitations
- For advanced features such as voice customization, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid subscription
- Though it has a mobile app, Natural Reader seems to be primarily designed for desktop
Natural Reader’s pricing
- Free
- Premium: $9.99/month per user
- Plus: $19/month per user
Natural Reader’s ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
10. TTS Reader—Your no-frills text-to-speech tool
A web-based solution, TTS Reader is a cloud-based platform that tackles a variety of text-to-speech needs. It cuts through the clutter of apps, fancy features, and premium subscriptions.
TTS Reader integrates with popular web browsers and cloud storage. Whether working on a document in Google Drive or reading an article online, TTS Reader lets you easily convert the text to speech.
TTS Reader’s best features
- Prepare text offline with TTS Reader for uninterrupted playback during commutes or in areas with limited connectivity
- Copy and paste your text, hit play, and enjoy clear audio output without downloading software or fiddling with complicated settings
- Listen to translations in your native tongue. TTS Reader offers support for a vast number of languages, making it an excellent tool for those working with international documents or collaborating with people worldwide
TTS Reader limitations
- Poorly formatted documents or text with many typos might translate into a bumpy listening experience
- Available only as a Chrome extension
TTS Reader pricing
- Free
- Premium: $10.99/month per user
TTS Reader ratings and reviews
- G2: Not available
- Capterra: Not available
Summarize this article for me pleaseUse ClickUp and Go from Speech to Text in Seconds
These AI-enabled transcription and dictation softwares have been a lifesaver for me to capture meeting minutes, brainstorming, and dictating tasks. But the tools you choose should work together, not against each other. That’s where project management powerhouses such as ClickUp come in handy.
ClickUp integrates seamlessly with many popular speech technology apps. Without switching between apps or software, you can capture ideas, dictate tasks, and generate notes directly within the ClickUp platform.
Imagine dictating a meeting summary and automatically having it populate as a ClickUp Task with assigned members and deadlines. This level of integration simplifies your process and keeps you focused on high-impact activities.
Ready to experience the power of ClickUp for yourself?
Sign up for a free ClickUp account today!
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