The best dictation app for Windows in 2026
Windows already ships with Voice Typing, so why pay for anything? Because the built-in tool is fine for a sentence and tiring for a page. Here is how the main options compare.
| VoiceInk | Windows Voice Typing (Win + H) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, or Pro at $69 a year | Free, built in |
| Works in any app | Yes | Yes |
| Offline | Yes, on the free plan | Depends on language and settings |
| Custom vocabulary | Yes: names, brands and jargon | No |
| Live word-by-word text | Yes, on Pro | Yes |
| Cleans up your text | Refine rewrites a dictation into clean text | No |
Prices checked November 2026. Check the vendor's site for current pricing.
The short list
Windows Voice Typing: free and already there. Good for a quick line, weak on names and long dictation.
Wispr Flow: polished, cloud only, $144 a year for Pro.
Dragon Professional: powerful voice commands, about $699, Windows only.
VoiceInk: free offline plan, Pro at $69 a year or $139 once, on Windows and Mac.
Why we built VoiceInk
We wanted Wispr-level dictation without the subscription weight, and a free plan that works on a plane. Press your shortcut, speak, and the text appears where your cursor is.
Questions
Does Windows have built-in dictation?
Yes. Press Windows + H to start Voice Typing in Windows 10 and 11. It works for short text but has no custom vocabulary.
What is the best free dictation app for Windows?
VoiceInk Free gives you 15 live dictations a day, words appearing as you speak, plus an offline mode and custom vocabulary, with no expiry and no card.
What is the cheapest alternative to Wispr Flow on Windows?
VoiceInk Pro is $69 a year, less than half of Wispr Flow Pro at $144, and VoiceInk sells a $139 lifetime plan.
Don't type. Speak.
Free forever with 15 live dictations a day. Pro is $69 a year, or $139 once for life.
Download VoiceInk free