Best Reviewed
Voice Recognition Software
- Best voice recognition software Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Premium *Est. $200
- Best budget alternative for Windows users Windows Speech Recognition *Est. $0
- Best speech recognition software for Mac Dragon Dictate 2.0 *Est. $200
- Best speech recognition mobile app Dragon Dictation *Est. $0
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Best budget alternative for Windows users
- Highly accurate
- Included in Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems
- Excellent tutorials and user interface
- Steep learning curve
- Slower, fewer features than Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Reviewers say that Windows Speech Recognition is nearly as powerful as Dragon NaturallySpeaking and has similar accuracy. Its biggest advantage is that it is included free as part of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems that are standard on most new PCs. The Windows 7 version includes an expanded dictionary, a simplified interface and better navigational controls. Experts almost unanimously conclude that Windows Speech Recognition is a very good program and in some ways -- such as in the user interface and tutorial modules -- better than Dragon's NaturallySpeaking, though most say that power users are better off with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Premium (*Est. $200), which has a higher accuracy rating.
PCMag.com delivers the best comparative review of Windows Speech Recognition, in an article that documents a series of performance tests comparing the Windows program to the older Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10. ArsTechnica.com features a detailed, multi-page review focused exclusively on the Windows 7 version, but it doesn't feature any head-to-head comparisons. Though it's not comparative, Glen Salzman has an outstanding review and startup guide on BrightHub.com. StevePavlina.com and TopTenReviews.com editors have useful but less comprehensive reports. GadgetUserBlog.com has an early write-up of the Windows 7 version.
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Our Sources
Even though this review is dedicated to Dragon's NaturallySpeaking 10, Michael Muchmore delivers a strong, head-to-head assessment of how Windows Speech Recognition stacks up against it. Muchmore ultimately favors NaturallySpeaking, but finds Windows Speech Recognition to be a good choice for casual users, as it comes close to Dragon in most major categories.
Review: Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, Michael Muchmore, Aug. 8, 2008
Nate Anderson praises Windows Speech Recognition's tutorial mode and its simple, yet powerful navigational control interface. He deals the corrections system a back-handed compliment, calling it simple and effective while noting that it's needed more than Dragon NaturallySpeaking's correction's box. Anderson says just enough errors slip in while dictating that he recommends serious users spend the money on Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
Review: Windows 7 Built-in Speech Recognition; A Review, Nate Anderson, May 2010
BrightHub.com's Glen Salzman authors one of the most thorough, balanced and detailed assessments of Windows Speech Recognition (Vista) we were able to find. In addition to delivering conclusions about the program's performance, Salzman also provides outstanding guidance for setting up and beginning use. Little comparison is provided to competing programs, except in oblique references.
Review: Microsoft Windows Vista - Speech Recognition Features Make the Upgrade, Glen Salzman, May 14, 2009
Steve Pavlina is not a professional reviewer but a personal development blogger and, by his own account, a longtime fan of voice recognition technology. Representing the minority of users who don't like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Pavlina decides to try Windows Speech Recognition and is generally happy with the results.
Review: Voice Recognition Software, Steve Pavlina, Feb. 7, 2008
In this review, Lecia Monsen favorably evaluates Windows Speech Recognition and finds it superior to "most" of those rated in the site's comparative listing. However, the review doesn't explain why Windows Speech Recognition was left out when other speech recognition programs were rated, and fails to specify where precisely Windows Speech Recognition would fall in the site's ranking system.
Review: Got Vista? Voice Recognition Is Built In, Lecia Monsen
Although short on detail, this blog post offers a comparison of the speech recognition programs available on Windows Vista and Windows 7. The newer iteration is said to be an improvement, but there is little support given to explain this finding. Comparison is also made to Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, with the author writing that Windows Speech Recognition is "on par" with NaturallySpeaking.
Review: Windows 7 and Speech Recognition, Editors of Gadget User Blog, May 17, 2009
