EmailBest Reviewed
Voice Recognition Software
- Best voice recognition software Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred *Est. $85
- Basic voice recognition software Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard *Est. $45
- Voice recognition included with Windows Windows Speech Recognition *Est. $0
- Best speech recognition software for Mac MacSpeech Dictate *Est. $150
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Basic voice recognition software
- Highly accurate
- Works well with Word
- Won't work with Excel or portable voice recorders
- Doesn't have shortcut commands
- Costly tech support
Although most reviews recommend Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred (*Est. $85) instead, the general consensus is that Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard is fine for most personal use. Software compatibility isn't as wide (for example, it won't work with Excel), it won't work with digital voice recorders or a Bluetooth microphone, and the streamlined command and editing features available in the Preferred version are missing, but the program uses the same speech recognition engine and accuracy is just as good -- 97 percent to 99 percent. Windows Speech Recognition -- included free with Windows Vista and Windows 7 -- is another alternative for users who don't have heavy-duty demands. Reports say that while it falls just short of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, Windows Speech Recognition is still pretty good in its own right.
We found a handful of reviews that either concentrate on Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard or do a good job identifying how Standard differs from more upscale versions. The best is by The New York Times, which reviews NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred but also discusses which features don't apply to NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard. PC World offers a write-up of NaturallySpeaking 10 Professional that also addresses Standard's feature set and ultimately recommends Standard (or Preferred) for a subset of users. Though ArsTechnica.com never explicitly says so, the gist of its review makes it clear that what's being discussed is the Standard version. Lastly, contributors to Amazon.com provide a glimpse into typical users' experiences with NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard.
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Our Sources
Technology writer David Pogue favorably reviews NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred, noting that the Standard version doesn't have the advanced editing and system command features mentioned in his evaluation but that the impressive results -- 99 percent accuracy -- are valid for both versions.
Review: Speak Up, a Computer Is Listening, David Pogue, Aug. 6, 2008
Although PC World's analysis is of the more advanced, Professional version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, reviewer Aoife McEvoy also singles out NaturallySpeaking Standard. Commenting on the software's price and options, McEvoy indicates that while NaturallySpeaking 10 Professional is an excellent program, for typical home users who won't need high-end system commands the Standard option is a more appropriate and better priced choice.
Review: Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Professional, Aoife M. McEvoy, Sept. 29, 2008
Not all reviewers do a great job of identifying the version of NaturallySpeaking 10 they're testing. This is the case with this report, but careful reading of the article seems to indicate that Nate Anderson is working with the Standard release. The bulk of the write-up focuses on whether or not it's worthwhile to upgrade from version 9 to 10 and concentrates on software improvements over the previous version.
Review: Hear Be Dragons: A Review of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, Nate Anderson, Nov. 2, 2008
4. Amazon.com
More than 150 owners of NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard have submitted user reviews to Amazon. The program rates an overall 3.5 out of five stars, marginally better than its more expensive sibling, NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred. The complaints are consistent with those for other NaturallySpeaking versions: compatibility issues, particularly with Windows XP, Vista and 64-bit computer systems, and technical support that is both expensive and not helpful. Some issues -- such as the lack of a 64-bit version -- have since been addressed by Nuance.
Review: Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Oct. 2009
