We make VoltType, so read our column knowing that. Everything about the other tools comes from their own pages, linked under the table. If something changed after 22 September 2026, tell us and we fix it.
VoltType
Runs on your PC (Windows) or phone (Android) in 25 languages. Pro adds 74 cloud languages. Shows a log of every request it makes.
Free · Pro €29/mo · Teams €49/seatWispr Flow
Polished cloud dictation for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Needs internet for every word.
$15/mo · $12/mo billed yearlyWindows Voice Typing
Built into Windows (Win+H). Sends your speech to Microsoft’s servers. 43 languages.
FreeWindows Voice Access
Built into Windows 11 for controlling the PC by voice. Works offline after setup. Seven languages.
FreeDragon Professional
The old standard for offline dictation on Windows. Sold per language. Price on request.
“Contact us”Otter.ai
A meeting notetaker in the cloud. Joins Zoom, Teams and Meet. Not a dictation tool.
Free · Pro $8.33/mo yearly · Business $19.99The table
| VoltType | Wispr Flow | Voice Typing | Voice Access | Dragon Pro | Otter.ai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works without internet | Yes, Windows and Android | No | No | Yes, after setup | Yes | No |
| Where your audio goes | Stays on your device in Offline mode. Online: our server, deleted after | Their servers | Microsoft servers | Your PC | Your PC | Their servers, stored |
| Shows you what it sent | Yes, a Data log in the app | No | No | No | No | No |
| Languages | 25 on device, 99 on Pro | 100+ | 43 | 7 | Sold per language | 6 for transcription |
| Types into any app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Learns your names and words | Yes (Pro) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes (Pro) |
| AI Notes from what you said | Yes, on device or cloud | Yes (cloud) | No | No | No | Yes (cloud) |
| Meetings, who said what | Yes, on device | Notetaker (cloud) | No | No | No | Yes (cloud) |
| Devices | Windows, Android, web (iPhone via Safari) | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Windows | Windows 11 | Windows | Web, iOS, Android |
| Free plan | 3,000 words, 2 AI Notes, 15 meeting minutes a month | Limited | Everything | Everything | None | 300 minutes a month |
| Price | Pro €29/mo or €290/yr · Teams €49/seat | $15/mo, $12/mo yearly | Free | Free | No public price | Pro $8.33/mo yearly · Business $19.99 |
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, but it uses online recognition on Microsoft’s servers. Voice Access is for controlling the PC by voice; it also writes text, it works offline once the language files are downloaded, but it covers seven languages and only Windows 11. If your work is confidential and not in one of those seven languages, neither is the answer.
Which one for you
- Words that must stay in the room (therapists, lawyers, accountants, doctors): VoltType, or Dragon if you already own it.
- A Mac and no confidentiality worry: Wispr Flow.
- Occasional dictation, English, nothing sensitive: Windows Voice Typing costs nothing.
- Controlling the PC by voice (accessibility): Windows Voice Access.
- Meeting notes from Zoom or Teams calls, nothing confidential: Otter.
Sources
- Wispr Flow pricing: wisprflow.ai/pricing and docs.wisprflow.ai (internet required)
- Windows Voice Typing: support.microsoft.com (“uses online speech recognition”, 43 languages)
- Windows Voice Access: support.microsoft.com (“without an internet connection”, Windows 11 22H2+, language list)
- Dragon Professional: dragon.nuance.com (no public price)
- Otter.ai pricing: otter.ai/pricing
- VoltType: pricing, how to check the Data log yourself
Try VoltType free
3,000 words a month on your own PC. No card.
Install from the Microsoft Store →Android app · Web app · No credit card.