The short version
Win+H costs nothing, comes with Windows, and for a quick message in a supported language it does the job. Microsoft says it uses online speech recognition and needs an internet connection. VoltType is worth a look if you need dictation that works offline on Windows, or a language Win+H does not offer.
This page sticks to what Microsoft documents about its own tools. For our feature-by-feature table, see VoltType vs Windows Voice Typing.
What Microsoft says voice typing is
From Microsoft's page “Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC”:
- It runs online. “Voice typing uses online speech recognition, which is powered by Azure Speech services.”
- It needs the internet. “To use voice typing, you'll need to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone, and have your cursor in a text box.”
- You start it with Windows key + H, or the microphone button on the touch keyboard, and stop it by saying “Stop listening”.
- Settings include automatic punctuation, a profanity filter, the default microphone and how long it waits before acting on a command.
- Commands such as “delete that”, “select that”, “press Enter” and a long list of punctuation words, which differ by language.
- Languages: the page lists 46 entries for Windows 11, counting regional variants separately (English appears six times, for example). Serbian, Macedonian, Greek, Ukrainian and Arabic are not on that list.
The same page describes Fluid dictation, a newer feature on Copilot+ PCs that corrects grammar, punctuation and filler words as you speak. Microsoft says it is “powered by on-device small language models (SLMs)” and is available in all English locales. That is the clean-up step; the page still describes voice typing itself as online speech recognition.
Voice access, the other built-in tool
Windows 11 also has voice access. Microsoft's getting-started page says it lets you control your PC and author text using your voice “without an internet connection”, and that it is available in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. Its languages are split into ready-to-use ones and ones where you download a speech pack first. Voice access is built for controlling the whole PC by voice, which is a different job from dictating a letter.
Where VoltType is different
Offline on Windows
On Pro, VoltType runs its speech model on your own PC in 25 languages. After a one-time download of about 670 MB, Offline mode works with no connection, and your audio is transcribed on your own PC. We explain the details in how offline dictation works.
More languages
Pro covers all supported languages: 25 on your device and the other 74 in the cloud. For those 74, your voice is sent over the internet to be turned into text. If your language is Serbian, Macedonian or Greek, for example, that matters.
It learns your words
Correct a name once and VoltType writes it your way from then on. You can also format as you speak: “new line”, “new paragraph”, “comma”, “scratch that” work in 26 languages (see the command words).
More than dictation
VoltType also writes notes from what you say and records meetings, and there is an Android app with its own keyboard. Win+H stays a typing tool.
Where Win+H is enough
If you dictate now and then, in a language on Microsoft's list, and you are fine with your speech going to Microsoft's online service, use Win+H. It costs nothing and you already have it. Try it for a week. If you find yourself wanting offline dictation or a language it lacks, come back.
Can I use both?
Yes. VoltType has its own keys: hold Ctrl + Space to talk, or press Ctrl + Shift + D to start and stop. Win+H keeps working. Plenty of people keep Win+H for one-liners.
What VoltType costs
Free runs in the cloud: 3,000 words a month for dictation, Notes and meetings together, no card. Pro puts dictation on your device. Prices are on the pricing page. If audio must not leave the room, read private dictation next. There is also a shorter side-by-side table.
Sources
- Microsoft Support, “Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC”: support.microsoft.com, read 22 October 2026.
- Microsoft Support, “Get started with voice access”: support.microsoft.com, read 22 October 2026.
- VoltType: pricing, how to check Offline mode yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows voice typing work offline?
Microsoft's support page says voice typing uses online speech recognition and that you need to be connected to the internet to use it (read 22 October 2026).
Is voice access the same as voice typing?
No. Voice access is a Windows 11 feature (version 22H2 and later) for controlling your PC and authoring text by voice, and Microsoft says it works without an internet connection. Voice typing (Win+H) is the dictation tool and runs online.
Can I run Win+H and VoltType on the same PC?
Yes. VoltType has its own keys: hold Ctrl + Space to talk, or press Ctrl + Shift + D to start and stop. Win+H keeps working.
Is VoltType free?
There is a free plan in the cloud: 3,000 words a month, no card. Offline mode is part of Pro. Plans and prices are on the pricing page.
Start dictating — free
Free: 3,000 cloud words a month for dictation, Notes and meetings together (up to 2 Notes and 5 meeting minutes). No card.
Pro, with prices on the pricing page: on your device — 25 languages offline, Notes and meetings on your device, 74 more languages in the cloud.
Windows 10 / 11 · Also on the web and Android · Offline mode on Windows and Android with Pro