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The Best Free Transcription Software for Mac and PC 2019 This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing my recommendations for the best free transcription software based on my experience as a professional audio transcriptionist. VoiceSys offers a free trial. VoiceSys is transcription software, and includes features such as archiving & retention, audio file management, audio transmission, transcription reporting, voice capture, and voice recognition. With regards to system requirements, VoiceSys is available as SaaS, Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android software. Best speech-to-text software in 2021: Free, paid and online voice recognition apps and services. You can also organize and share, import audio and video for transcription, and provides 600.
With Clubhouse exploding into a major social media platform, we can’t underestimate the power of voice. Not any more. Maybe that’s a global pandemic thing, but we’re certainly longing for more verbal communication these days. And what if this longing could make us more productive at work? Well, it’s possible with dictation software.
If you’ve never tried dictating text instead of typing it, we encourage you to do it right now and see whether it saves your time (spoiler: it does). And if you’re thinking “nay, dictated text is a mess,” you should see our collection of text editing tools — they will help you polish texts in no time. So why not give it a try?
What is dictation software?
Dictation software uses speech recognition technology to convert spoken words into text. Basically, it’s something that could help Isaac Asimov write 1000 books (and not 500 as he did) in the twentieth century. Thanks to high accuracy and great speed of speech-to-text conversion, dictation software works great for note-taking, writing lengthy texts, even chatting in messengers.
The first solid version of dictation software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking was released in 1997. There have been some attempts to create such programs before but most of them failed or were very inefficient. In fact, before 1997, one had to dictate very slowly, pausing after every word so that software could process it.
Today, voice-driven technology is thriving. Lots of software use voice chats, text-to-speech, and advanced voice assistants. Dictation features have been on the rise, too. For sure, lots of apps and websites you use daily have powerful dictation capabilities. Google Docs, Apple text editors, and, of course, Siri make it easy to turn words into typed text.
Why you need dictation software
The most obvious benefit of choosing dictation over typing is speed. According to Mobius, good dictation software for Mac can process around 150 words per minute, while even the most professional keyboard ninjas can type 80 words per minute max. Not impressed? Here are more ways in which dictation tools can help you:
- Save time for important stuff. Like, a good sleep. Seriously, producing text through dictation is extremely time-effective and helps you achieve more while doing less.
- Capture ideas on the go. You know what they say, best ideas come in the shower. And if you have your phone at hand, you can use Siri to capture those ideas without leaving the shower.
- Great assistance for people with disabilities. Of course, voice dictation software is not only a productivity hack, it’s also a great accessibility tool. If for any reason you can’t use your hands for typing, dictation tools are a huge help.
- Avoid poor ergonomics effects. Eye and skin problems, strain injury — these are all the results of bad ergonomics. Dictation allows you to work even when standing or walking, which has great effects on your overall health and well-being.
Best dictation software for Mac users
Ok, Google. Dictation software Macintosh. What are the best tools to try in 2021? We checked a few free and paid apps, and here’s our conclusion: If you’re a Mac user, you don’t need to buy any dictation tools at all. Modern free dictation software for Mac gives you incredible quality, and it’s already there on your computer. You will need some help with editing the text, though, so read on.
Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is native free dictation software for Mac and iOS devices, operating under Apple’s broader Voice Control functionality. It works in all native text editors, messengers, and basically any program where it’s possible to type. Here’s how to enable Dictation on Mac:
- Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Keyboard
- Click on the Dictation tab
- Select “On” next to Dictation.
In the same tab, you can enable a handy shortcut for Dictation so that whenever you use this shortcut, you can start dictating right away and your words will be converted into text. The words will appear wherever your cursor is.
If you want to use Apple’s native software for more voice-controlled tasks — like telling your Mac when it should open specific apps — go to Accessibility > Voice Control. This is where you can create your custom voice commands. You can also use the feature to automate text formatting process: for instance, set the rules for when you want to insert a screenshot in your text or start a new paragraph.
What’s Apple Dictation good for? Voice-based commands, in general. The accuracy is pretty high (according to Zapier research, Apple Dictation gives you 11 inaccurate words on a 200-word test). We recommend Apple Dictation for everyone who wants a cross-platform solution for Apple devices and loves automating workflows with voice commands.
Google Docs voice typing
If you need a dictation tool specifically for Google Docs, use Google Doc Voice Typing. The good news is it’s even more accurate than Apple Dictation, the bad news is it only works in Chrome. So if you’re a devoted Safari user — not your thing.
You can enable Google Docs dictation by clicking on Tools > Voice Typing. You’ll see a microphone icon appear on the left of your doc. Click on it and start dictating.
What’s Google Docs voice typing good for? Long-form content, blog posts, rough drafts, etc. If you’re a pro Google Docs user and you do most of your writing in this app (in Chrome), it will certainly save you a lot of time.
Use Siri for dictation
Apple Dictation and Voice Control are tightly connected with Siri. In fact, Voice Control is entirely based on Siri’s speech-recognition engine. For a Mac user, however, converting words into text with Apple Dictation and Siri are two very different processes. While Siri is great for jotting down a quick note or giving an answer to your question, it can’t just instantly press any button.
However, the magic happens when you connect Voice Control and Siri. Here’s a simple example: Go to Accessibility > Voice Control > Commands. Press the Plus button and set up your shortcut:
- When I say Hey Siri, paste text
- While using Any application
- Perform Paste text.
This is a great way to automate workflows across all your apps, no matter what voice dictation software you use.
To set up Siri on Mac, go to System Preferences > Siri > Enable Ask Siri. You can customize the Siri shortcut, language, and other settings here, too.
What’s Siri dictation good for? Quick voice commands or cases in which you need an answer to a question (Siri can “google” it for you). You can also use it alongside Apple dictation functionality to set up your own voice shortcuts and automate workflows.
Best tools to edit dictated text
Some people would never google “voice dictation software Mac” because they think it’s easier to type than edit dictated text in the end. Well, that’s where they are wrong. Modern dictation software for Mac lets you edit on the fly. And even if you don’t want to perform editing commands while speaking, there are awesome tools that can polish the text for you in a click.
Format and auto-correct with Ulysses
Ulysses is one of the best markup-based writing apps for Mac users. It has your entire flow covered — from distraction-free writing to editing to organizing to sharing. If you need to quickly fix mistakes in your text, you can just throw it in and click on “Check text” in the right sidebar. Ulysses will show all the punctuation and grammar mistakes, and even fix vocabulary problems and redundancy.
To format your text, select Markup in the main menu. You’ll see lots of options like adding headings, ordered lists, annotation, code, and so on. This will help quickly bring your text into a great shape. By the way, Ulysses comes with a native dictation feature. So you can dictate and save your text right in Ulysses. Then, quickly edit it and share anywhere — Ulysses has some great export options.
The great thing is if you have a Setapp subscription, you get immediate access to Ulysses for macOS and iOS (it saves you a lot of money because Ulysses subscription alone costs $5.99/month and Setapp gives you Ulysses + over 200 apps for $9.99/month).
Plus, Setapp has 10+ other writing apps you can choose from — just in case you don’t like Ulysses. They are all part of your subscription so you can explore indefinitely. TextSoap, for instance, is an app with 100+ text cleanup features. And Strike has auto correct, spell checker, and other tools for custom text transformations.
Don’t have time to figure out what apps you need? Setapp has a curated collection for your writing goals — just download Setapp (it offers a 7-day free trial), open the app on Mac > Collections > Write it all out > Install all. Enhance best dictation software with solid text editing tools, and you’ll see your writing accelerate.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.
Want to transcribe faster and ramp up your earnings? With a transcription foot pedal, you can control audio playback with your toes, freeing up your fingers for typing. As a new transcriptionist, this is the best way to quickly boost your transcription speed.
Here, I’ll share four of the best transcription foot pedals that are compatible with popular transcription software such as Express Scribe and The FTW Transcriber.
But first, a few pointers for selecting the best foot pedal for transcription work.
Tips for choosing a foot pedal for audio transcription
Foot pedals designed for audio transcription usually have three buttons. In a typical configuration, the middle button is set to the Play function, and the left and right buttons are typically set to Rewind and Fast-Forward respectively. However, you can often change these functions around in your transcription software.
Pedals for transcription may connect either via serial or USB port. Since USB connections are vastly more common nowadays, I’ve only included USB foot pedals here.
There are three things you’ll need to consider when choosing a transcription foot pedal:
- Compatibility. Your foot pedal must be compatible with your computer’s operating system as well as your transcription software. All the foot pedals here are compatible for both Mac and PC. Additionally, I’ve selected the foot pedals in this list based on their compatibility with a wide range of digital transcription software. (Check out my recommendations for the best audio transcription software and get an exclusive discount on a pro license.)
- Ergonomics. With standard transcription foot pedals, your heel acts as an anchor while you control audio playback with your toes. Strain produced by this movement is minimal; however, because you’re moving your foot up and down, it becomes a repetitive motion. With all repetitive motions – however easy – there’s the risk of developing a repetitive stress injury. Therefore, ergonomics is an important consideration when choosing the best foot pedal for transcription work. Everyone is built a little differently, so you may need to test a couple of different ergonomic transcription foot pedals to find out what’s most comfortable for you over the long term.
- Durability. If you do transcription for a living, there’s no getting around it – your foot pedal is going to take a beating, so it should be built to last. That said, even the best foot pedals can’t be expected to last forever. Many pro transcriptionists keep a second foot pedal on hand so they won’t miss a deadline if their current one breaks. The pedals I recommend here are all well-known makes engineered for long-term heavy use.
Now that we know what we’re after, let’s check out some transcription foot pedals.
Infinity IN-USB-2
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• Connects via USB port
First up, the foot pedal we all know about already, and the one I currently use – the Infinity pedal from VEC Electronics.
This highly popular three-button foot pedal replaces the discontinued Infinity IN-USB-1. It has anti-slip backing and is heavy enough to stay in place while you’re using it. The buttons give low resistance, so you can use the pedal for long periods without getting tired.
The Infinity’s sleek ergonomic design features a sloped center button for easy pivoting to the side buttons. As a former RSI sufferer, I appreciate this close-to-the-floor effect, which is different from the chunkier, squarish design of some transcription pedals. My foot is at just a slight angle when using the Infinity pedal, which reduces fatigue and long-term stress.
Why you should use the Infinity pedal: The Infinity pedal is widely used by professional transcriptionists due to its reliability and compatibility with almost all digital transcription software, including Express Scribe Pro, The FTW Transcriber, InqScribe, and many other programs. Additionally, many transcription companies recommend the Infinity pedal for use with their proprietary software.
How to install the Infinity foot pedal: Infinity pedals are plug-and-play, so you don’t need to install any software from the manufacturer. Simply plug the pedal into your device’s USB port, and your computer will automatically install the USB drivers.
AltoEdge USB
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• Connects via USB port
As far as the eye can tell, the AltoEdge foot pedal has the exact same design as the Infinity. So why choose one over the another? Well, the AltoEdge pedal is the only foot pedal controller that’s compatible with the free version of Express Scribe. It can also be used with most other popular digital transcription players, including Express Scribe Pro and The FTW Transcriber.
That said, I suspect the Infinity pedal may be compatible with an even wider range of software products, which is likely why it’s still more popular than the AltoEdge.
Why you should use the AltoEdge pedal: If you want to use the free version of Express Scribe transcription software, this is the foot pedal you need – no other foot pedal will work with the software.
How to install the AltoEdge foot pedal: Like the Infinity pedal, AltoEdge pedals are plug-and-play – just plug the pedal into your device’s USB port, and you’re good to go.
vPedal vP-4 MKII wireless
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• Remote receiver connects to USB port
This three-button wireless foot pedal has been described by users as quiet. The Bluetooth wireless transmitter has a range of up to 3 meters.
The vPedal is known to be compatible with most popular transcription software, including Express Scribe Pro, The FTW Transcriber, and InqScribe transcription players.
Why you should use the vPedal wireless foot pedal: The vPedal has some additional features that extend its functionality beyond that of most transcription foot pedals. Here are three reasons to consider using the vPedal wireless pedal:
• In addition to using the vPedal with transcription software like Express Scribe Pro and The FTW Transcriber, you can use it with popular media players, including Windows Media Player, iTunes, QuickTime, Real Player, and Winamp. (To do this, you’ll need to install the appropriate free plugin provided on the manufacturer’s website.)
• Using the HotKey Application software, available on the manufacturer’s website, you can easily program the vPedal to send keyboard commands to Windows applications. You can even use the foot pedal as a mouse and send clicks to your computer (helpful for people with carpal tunnel syndrome).
• Wireless hardware is less cumbersome, especially while traveling.
How to install the vPedal wireless foot pedal: Insert three AA batteries into the foot pedal and set the power switch to the ON position. Plug the accompanying USB Bluetooth dongle into your device’s USB port. The USB drivers will install automatically.
**Note: vPedal also has a non-wireless foot pedal called the vP-1 USB pedal (compatible with Mac and PC), which is actually their bestselling pedal and a more affordable purchase at around $75. So if you want the abovementioned functionality but you don’t need a wireless pedal, then the vP-1 is the foot pedal for you.
Philips ACC2330
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• Connects via USB port
This four-button USB transcription foot pedal is manufactured by the well-known Philips brand. According to the company, the pedal was developed in coordination with hospital ergonomists and daily power users. The ACC2330 is the successor to the discontinued LFH2330.
The ACC2330 works on Windows computers with no extra software necessary. If you want to use the ACC2330 on a Mac, you’ll need the Philips SpeechExec for Mac software.
The pedal has anti-slip backing that makes it usable on any type of surface. There are also bumps all over the front of the pedal to keep your foot from sliding off. The center button gently inclines so you can maneuver your foot easily, and it has a wide design so you won’t unintentionally press the other buttons.
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With its rugged pedals and magnetic switches, the ACC2330 is built to last. All external and internal components of this pedal are fully waterproof (a tad confusing, but okay fine.)
In the pedal’s standard configuration, the fourth button is used as the “Next Job” function. If you have the Philips SpeechControl or SpeechExec software, you can also program the pedal’s buttons to other keys or key combos (but not a mouse click). If you want to use the ACC2330 as a standard three-button transcription foot pedal, you can do this by locking the middle pedal in place.
I reached out to the good people at Philips, and they let me know the pedal works well with popular third-party transcription software, including Express Scribe Pro and The FTW Transcriber. Third-party developers often build compatibility for the Philips foot pedal into their software to make sure everything works seamlessly together.
Note: There are two other products in the Philips 2300 transcription foot pedal series: the ACC2310 and the ACC2320. Both of these pedals have a three-switch design. The difference between them is the placement of the middle button – the ACC2310 uses the small top button as the Play function, whereas the ACC2320 uses the large middle button.
Why you should use the ACC2330 foot pedal: If you’ve used one of the more well-known transcription foot pedals like the Infinity and you’re not a huge fan of it for whatever reason, the ACC2330 offers a promising alternative.
Additionally, if ergonomics are a priority, then you might like to give this pedal a go, as the ACC2330 was engineered with ergonomics in mind. As the company states, “The ergonomic design was developed by closely studying transcriptionists’ movements.” To use the ACC2330, you don’t need to lift your foot – a slight press with the tip of the foot is enough. Your foot can easily relax while the dictation is paused.
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How to install the ACC2330 foot pedal: This is another plug-and-play pedal. Just plug it in to your computer’s USB port. Hooray!
My recommendation for the best transcription foot pedal
So, to review:
- AltoEdge: The only transcription foot pedal that’s compatible with the free version of Express Scribe.
- Infinity USB: A highly popular ergonomic foot pedal used by many professional transcriptionists and compatible with almost all transcription software. This is the foot pedal I currently own.
- vPedal wireless: A wireless foot pedal that you can use with popular media players like Windows Media Player and QuickTime in addition to standard transcription software. You can also program the pedal with custom keyboard commands.
- Philips AC2330: A highly ergonomic four-button foot pedal made by a quality brand. If you came here looking for an alternative to the Infinity, you may want to give this one a shot.
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I hope this info makes your quest to find the perfect foot pedal a little easier. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in my post about how to choose the best headphones for transcription.
If you’re a professional transcriptionist looking for job leads, check out my other blog posts for tons of work-from-home resources, or browse transcription jobs on FlexJobs here(note: you can currently get 30% off by using promo code Save30 at checkout). FlexJobs is my top-recommended resource for higher-paying remote jobs from top-rated employers like Apple, SalesForce, and Capital One.
Do you already have a transcription foot pedal? Let us know in the comments what foot pedal you currently use, and what you like (or don’t like) about it!