Pros: highly accurate, helpful support options
Cons: fewer features than premium version, requires a lot of computer memory, definite learning curve
Est. $80
Recommended: 2 MB L2 cache.
Minimum: 512 KB.
High-quality headset microphone included.
Recommended: 2.2 GHz Intel dual core or equivalent AMD processor.
Minimum: 1 GHz Intel Pentium or equivalent AMD processor or 1.66 GHz Intel Atom processor.
Faster processors yield faster performance.
Recommended: 2 GB for 32-bit Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2008.
4GB for 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012.
Minimum: 1 GB for Windows XP and Windows Vista, 2 GB f
If installing from a disk: 3.2 GB.
If installing from a download: three times as much space is initially needed (after the download is unpacked and installation completes, temporary files can be removed from the system).
Windows 8, 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows 7 SP1, 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows Vista SP2, 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows XP SP3, 32-bit only
Windows Server 2008 SP2, 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP2, 64-bit
Internet Explorer 7 or higher.
The plug-in that provides enhanced capabilities for Gmail and Hotmail/Outlook.com requires Internet Explorer 9 or 10, or the supported version of Firefox or Chrome.
Dictation, voice web surfing, send email and instant messages by voice, Free Dragon Remote Mic app turns iOS or Android device into a wireless mic.
Best speech-recognition software for Mac
Pros: excellent for dictation, robust new tutorial, ability to transcribe recorded audio files
Cons: transcription does not support MP3 recordings, some editing and correction glitches
780420126985
Est. $170
N/A
Nuance-approved noise-canceling headset microphone for Mac included.
Nuance
8101665
Intel-based Mac computer with 2.2 GHz Intel Core2 Duo processor.
2GB
4GB (DVD-ROM drive required for installation).
OS X Lion (10.7) or OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)
N/A
Dictation and editing with playback, voice search and navigation of applications, Smart Format Rules, interactive tutorial.