You’re a journalist and you’re busy. That’s practically a tautology. How can you be a journalist these days and...
Tanya Mozias Slavin
April 21, 2020
Trying to transcribe speech-to-text on the spot while keeping up with the conversation is a recipe for missed details and distracted discussions. And while going back to listen to recorded audio might seem like the right solution, it quickly becomes a hassle.
That’s where speech-to-text converter apps come in. They use listening technology to transform spoken words into written text for you.
But with such a wide selection, it’s tricky to find the software with all the voice-to-text features you need — let alone one that works. Read on to learn about your options and how Otter measures up to other dictation and speech recognition apps.
Why speech-to-text apps are a game changer
Whether you’re a content creator producing Reels, a student taking notes, or a researcher transcribing interviews, you have more important tasks than transcribing audio files by hand. Speech-to-text apps use advanced AI and speech recognition technologies to process audit input, breaking it down into written form in real time.
But transcription isn’t the only thing the best automatic transcription software can do. These apps can recognize different speakers, distinguish key information, and structure notes into clear, actionable summaries.
Plus, additional text features like keyword searches let you quickly review important information and focus on critical insights — without sifting through hours of raw audio or handwritten notes. With these tools, streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and enhance information management.
Top 4 speech-to-text apps for 2025
Looking for the best apps to transform your audio content into organized transcriptions? Here’s a list of the best of the best — and what makes Otter stand out.
1. Otter
Otter’s speech-to-text capabilities are fast and accurate. Here’s a guide to the features that take it to the next level.
Transcribe From a Variety of Formats
Virtual meetings are here to stay. But everyone has different preferences for where and when they happen. Some use Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, to check in, and others might combine in-person meetups with out-of-town colleagues. That means you need software that can transcribe audio from several different platforms.
Otter can transcribe discussions directly in your virtual meeting using OtterPilot or for in-person meetings using your web browser or the Otter mobile app, converting audio to text from calls, webinars, and online meetings — no matter the platform. You can even use the Otter app’s ability for voice typing to record ideas on your commute or note down a sales speech as you practice in the mirror. Otter automatically transfers audio inputs into well-organized text to revisit and improve later.
Plus, Otter can transcribe more than meetings — simply upload audio or video files in 30 different file formats, including:
Real-Time Transcription
Otter delivers real-time transcription, so you don’t have to wait for audio to convert into text. This lets you focus all your energy on the meeting without the distraction of manual note-taking, reducing the risk of missing important details.
Easy Organization
When you record every meeting, lecture, or sales pitch, those important files quickly pile up. If you aren’t careful, your transcriptions quickly get lost in the cloud.
Otter makes it easy to create new channels and safely organize audio, transcripts, and meeting insights. It has integrations with Google Drive and Dropbox, and once you set up your preferred storage and sharing method, it syncs automatically.
Plus, with Otter AI Chat you can query your entire history of notes to find information for you — all you have to do is ask. And if you’re using Chat in Channels to collaborate with other team members, everyone can leverage the power of AI to ask questions and gain Otter’s insights about past conversations.
Highlighting
Your preferred note-taking style might include colored pens, doodles, and annotations — all tools that can help you highlight important points and remember details more easily. The best speech-to-text apps should adapt to your note-taking style, not the other way around.
Otter enriches text and meeting notes with highlights, reactions, comments, and images. This helps you add context and emphasize ideas, using the note-taking techniques that make the most sense to you. Plus, collaborators can contribute additional pictures, reactions, or follow-up ideas to keep the conversation going.
OtterPilot
You can’t make it to every online meeting on time. And sometimes, you can’t make it at all. But rather than depend on colleagues to bring you up to speed or send detailed meeting transcriptions, OtterPilot acts as a virtual body double. It can stand in and automatically join Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet calls to transcribe, summarize, and share meeting notes with you.
Speaker ID
Otter uses advanced AI and voice recognition technology to learn and identify individual voices. By analyzing each speaker’s unique characteristics, Otter accurately matches speech to every individual in the meeting room. And once it recognizes a voice, it automatically tags names in the texts so you know who was talking — even if you weren’t there to see it. This feature makes notes and transcriptions easier to edit and read, improving usability.
Otter AI Chat
Meeting notes can be much more than points of reference. They’re powerful tools to continue brainstorming. Otter AI Chat uses advanced language models to interact directly with your transcripts — just ask it questions related to the notes. It creates punctuation-perfect summaries, emails, or action item lists that highlight key decisions or follow-up steps.
App Integrations
You don’t have to sacrifice the software you already love. Otter integrates with popular productivity tools like:
- Virtual Meetings: OtterPilot can join your Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams to make sure you have a record of any meeting — even the ones you miss.
- Dropbox: Dropbox is one of the most used file-sharing software out there. Dropbox also integrates directly with Otter, but for even easier collaboration, drag an Otter file to your Dropbox folder and it shares with everybody who has access.
- Google/Microsoft Calendar: Both calendar apps connect with Otter so you and your teammates are never out of the loop.
- Slack: This integration sends notifications straight to your Slack account so you don’t have to switch platforms to keep tabs on Otter conversations. It also lets you share summaries and notes in Slack channels with ease.
Free Audio-to-Text Converter
Otter’s free subscription is a great way to test out our speech recognition software without the commitment. It includes speech recordings, transcriptions, real-time summaries, Otter AI Chat, and up to 300 monthly transcription minutes for audio and video files. The free version offers access to almost every speech-to-text feature, while the paid tiers guarantee you have no limits on use.
2. Dragon Anywhere
Dragon Anywhere is a dictation and voice-to-text app available on iOS and Android. Smartphone dictation comes in handy for interviews and solo brainstorming sessions, and it makes sharing via text and email easy.
Pros: In reviews, users note Dragon Anywhere’s accuracy despite issues picking up quick conversations and jargon-specific words. But you can add customized words and pronunciation to the app’s vocabulary for specific words, names, or voice commands.
Cons: Dragon is a smartphone dictation app, meaning it lacks robust features like AI chat or advanced software integrations. Likewise, some syncing is only available on iOS.
3. Descript
Descript has long been a top choice for podcasters, video editors, and content creators. Its speech-to-text software is designed to simplify storytelling, generating transcriptions for both audio and video tracks.
Pros: Descript saves time for creators who want an all-in-one video editing app. The most useful feature is that when you cut filler words from a video transcript, Descript automatically removes them from the uploaded audio or video.
Cons: The app centers video content, making it impractical for other types of work. Experienced content creators may not need the advanced editing features, opting instead for speech-to-text software that suits more dictation and transcribing needs.
4. Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is free for iOS users, and it even comes pre-installed on several Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. Users can dictate speech using Apple Notes and copy and paste into their platform of choice, like email or Google Docs.
Pros: Apple users rejoice — this tool works with all Apple products for a seamless experience. It also has noteworthy dictation accuracy, voice commands, and features like voice typing commands and dictation to edit text.
Cons: As to be expected, Apple Dictation software isn’t compatible with non-Apple software or hardware. The dictation keyboard command won’t work in Google Docs or Microsoft Teams, which have their own speech recognition and dictation tools. It’s a quick fix if you’re an iPhone user, but isn’t a long-term solution.
Unlock the best in transcription with Otter.ai
Voice typing, transcription, and dictation are just the beginning. Otter's speech-to-text software is your one-stop shop for transforming audio files into productivity-boosting notes. From real-time meeting transcripts to AI-driven emails and action item lists, Otter empowers you to capture and utilize information like never before. Experience Otter for yourself today.
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