The short version
Use Win+H if you dictate occasionally, in English or another major language, and are fine with audio going to Microsoft.
Use VoltType if you need offline dictation on Windows, many languages, spoken structure (“new paragraph”, “bullet”, “scratch that”), your own word list for names and terms (Pro), or the same dictation on your phone and in the browser.
Side by side
Where Win+H wins
It is already installed, it is free, and for a quick email in English it is good. Its punctuation is solid and its latency is low. If you have never dictated before, start with Win+H for a week; if you find yourself wanting any of the rows above, come back.
What Microsoft itself documents about Win+H, with links to its support pages: Does Win+H voice typing work offline?
Where VoltType is different
1. Offline on Windows
Win+H sends everything to Microsoft. VoltType’s offline mode runs the speech model on your PC — for professions where audio must not leave the building, that is the whole reason to switch.
2. Languages
Macedonian, Romanian, Greek, Danish, Finnish, Albanian, Serbian and dozens more work in cloud mode, and the app routes low-resource languages to the larger model automatically because it measured the difference.
3. Structure by voice
Say “bullet”, “number one”, “new paragraph”, “scratch that”, “smiley face” — in your language. The same rules run on Windows, web and Android, and every app shows the list.
4. Your own words (Pro)
On Pro, correct a name once with Fix & Learn and it is saved as a rule. Add a dictionary rule (“post gres” → Postgres) and it applies everywhere.
Accuracy: an honest note
On clean English audio both are very good. VoltType’s advantage shows up on accents, mixed vocabulary and languages Microsoft handles poorly — and in the AI cleanup that removes “um”, repeats and half-sentences before the text lands. We measured this on real recordings per language rather than quote a single marketing number.
Can I run both?
Yes. VoltType has its own keys: hold Ctrl+Space to talk, or press Ctrl+Shift+D (changeable in Settings) to start and stop. Win+H keeps working. Many people keep Win+H for one-liners and use VoltType for anything longer than a sentence.
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 is €29/month or €290/year (final price – nothing is added at checkout): 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