View all Dictation / Speech Recognition Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Dragon Professional v16
Stop paying $699 (Desktop) / $55/mo (Cloud). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Dictation / Speech RecognitionVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Whisper AI (OpenAI)
FREETop Modern AI Alternative
Why we like it
Industry-leading accuracy across multiple languages; handles background noise better than Dragon; can be run locally for free via tools like 'Whisper.cpp' or 'MacWhisper'; perfect for transcribing long recordings.
Keep in mind
Lacks the real-time 'Command and Control' features (you can't use it to open menus or click buttons via voice); requires technical setup or a third-party interface.
Windows Voice Typing (Win + H)
FREEBest Integrated Free Tool
Why we like it
Already installed on Windows 10/11; surprisingly high accuracy using Azure-based AI; supports automatic punctuation; no setup required.
Keep in mind
Requires an internet connection for the best accuracy; limited custom vocabulary support compared to Dragon; lacks macro automation.
Apple Dictation
FREEBest for Mac/iPhone Users
Why we like it
Native on macOS; privacy-first as it processes most common requests on-device (Apple Silicon); supports real-time editing and emoji dictation.
Keep in mind
Lacks the 'Custom Macro' engine that professional Dragon users rely on for boilerplate text insertion.
Otter.ai
FREEBest for Meeting Transcription
Why we like it
Unmatched for transcribing multi-speaker meetings; real-time collaboration and summary generation; integrates with Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
Keep in mind
Not designed for general document drafting or PC control; focus is strictly on transcription rather than dictation as a keyboard replacement.
Braina Pro
Best Lightweight AI Assistant
Why we like it
Multilingual support (100+ languages); includes a personal assistant (Alana) for searching and controlling your PC; significantly cheaper than Dragon.
Keep in mind
Interface feels less polished than Nuance's products; accuracy can be hit-or-miss with specialized technical jargon.
Need more options?
Explore our full directory of Dictation / Speech Recognition software alternatives.
Browse the Dictation / Speech Recognition Hub