We make VoltType, so read our column knowing that. Every fact about the other tools comes from the maker’s own page, linked under the table and checked on 23 October 2026. “Not listed” means we did not find it on the pages we checked, not that the tool cannot do it. Prices change often, so follow the links for them. If something has changed, tell us and we fix it.
VoltType
Dictation for Windows and Android that types into any app. On Pro, in Offline mode, your voice is transcribed on your PC or phone in 25 languages. Pro covers all supported languages in all.
Plans on the pricing pageWispr Flow
Dictation in any app on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, in 100+ languages, with a notetaker on Mac and Windows. Wispr says Flow needs an internet connection to transcribe.
Free plan and paid plansWindows Voice Typing
Built into Windows: press Win+H in a text box. Microsoft says it uses online speech recognition and needs an internet connection. 46 language and region entries on Windows 11.
Included with WindowsWindows Voice Access
Built into Windows 11 (22H2 and later) to control the PC and write text by voice. Microsoft says it works without an internet connection once the language files are downloaded. 15 language and dialect entries.
Included with Windows 11Dragon Professional v16
Speech recognition software installed on Windows 10 and 11, for live dictation and for transcribing audio files, with custom words and commands. Nuance lists an internet connection for download and activation.
Sold by NuanceOtter.ai
A meeting notetaker that joins Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, with speaker identification, in 6 languages. Live transcription needs internet; offline it keeps recording and transcribes once you reconnect.
Basic plan and paid plansThe table
| VoltType | Wispr Flow | Voice Typing | Voice Access | Dragon Pro | Otter.ai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works without internet | Yes, on Pro in Offline mode (Windows and Android, 25 languages) | No, it needs internet to transcribe | No, it needs an internet connection | Yes, after the language files download | Installed on the PC; Nuance lists internet for download and activation | Records offline; live transcription needs internet |
| Where speech becomes text | Offline mode (Pro): on your device. Cloud mode: sent over the internet to our server and to Groq, our transcription provider in the US | Online | Online speech recognition (Azure Speech services) | On-device speech recognition | Locally installed software | Online; audio recorded offline is uploaded and processed later |
| Languages | 99 on Pro; 25 of them in Offline mode | 100+ | 46 language and region entries (Windows 11) | 15 language and dialect entries | Not listed on its product page | 6 for transcription |
| Types into other apps | Yes, any app | Yes, any app | Yes, any text box | Yes, it writes text by voice | Yes | Not listed |
| Your own words | Pro: your word list; with Fix & Learn a correction is saved as a rule | Dictionary and snippets | Not listed | Not listed | Custom words and commands | Vocabulary for names and terms |
| Notes and meetings | Notes from what you say; meetings with who said what | Notetaker on Mac and Windows | Not listed | Not listed | Transcribes recorded audio files | Joins Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet; speaker identification |
| Devices | Windows, Android; web app on Mac and iPhone | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Windows 11 and Windows 10 | Windows 11, version 22H2 and later | Windows 10 and 11, Windows Server | iPhone and Android apps, desktop app, web |
| To start | Free plan: 3,000 words a month in the cloud, no card | Free plan with weekly limits | Included with Windows | Included with Windows 11 | Sold by Nuance | Basic plan: 300 transcription minutes a month |
Facts about other tools: from the pages listed under Sources, checked 23 Oct 2026. VoltType: from our own app and the pricing page. VoltType also keeps a Data log of every request the app makes; here is how to check it.
Voice Typing and Voice Access are not the same thing
Windows has two built-in tools and people mix them up. Voice Typing (press Win+H) turns speech into text in any text box; Microsoft says it uses online speech recognition, powered by Azure Speech services, so it needs an internet connection. Voice Access is for controlling the whole PC by voice and it also writes text. Microsoft says it works without an internet connection once the language files are downloaded during setup. It runs on Windows 11, version 22H2 and later, and lists 15 language and dialect entries: English (several regions), Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese.
Which one fits
- You dictate now and then, in a language on Microsoft’s list, and online recognition is fine: Windows Voice Typing (Win+H) is already on your PC.
- You want to control the whole PC by voice: Windows Voice Access.
- You want dictation without an internet connection on Windows: VoltType Pro in Offline mode (25 languages), or Voice Access in its languages.
- You switch between a Mac, an iPhone and a Windows PC and cloud dictation is fine: Wispr Flow.
- You have built up custom words and commands in Dragon: Dragon Professional.
- You want notes from Zoom, Teams or Meet calls: Otter.
Sources
- Microsoft Support, “Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC”: support.microsoft.com (online speech recognition, internet connection, 46 language and region entries on Windows 11), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Microsoft Support, “Set up voice access”: support.microsoft.com (without an internet connection, on-device speech recognition, Windows 11 22H2 and later, language list), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Wispr Flow pricing: wisprflow.ai/pricing (platforms, 100+ languages, dictionary and snippets, notetaker, free plan), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Wispr Flow for Android: wisprflow.ai/android (“Flow requires an internet connection to transcribe”), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Nuance, Dragon Professional: dragon.nuance.com (Windows 11 and 10, live speech-to-text and audio files, custom commands) and the Dragon Professional v16 data sheet (system requirements, internet for download and activation, locally installed), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Otter.ai pricing: otter.ai/pricing (6 transcription languages, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, speaker identification, vocabulary, Basic plan minutes, apps), checked 23 Oct 2026.
- Otter Help Center, “Record with Otter offline or without an internet connection”: help.otter.ai, checked 23 Oct 2026.
- VoltType: pricing, the 25 Offline mode languages, how to check the Data log yourself.
Try VoltType on Windows
Start with 3,000 words a month in the cloud, no card. Offline mode is part of Pro.
Install from the Microsoft Store →