Speech-to-text: Any apps superior to Apple Dictation?

[theorist9]

I'm planning to write a book (fiction, so there will be lots of dialog), and my results thus far with Apple's Dictation software have been mixed. And I don't like that it shuts off if you pause your speech for >= 30 seconds.

Anything that works better? I'm looking for something that is locally-installed, rather than cloud-based.

The gold standard used to be the Nuance product (currently called Dragon Professional). But that requires I drop $600 for the software, and either buy a PC or use it with Parallels (apparently this works, even though it's not supported for ARM: https://dashedyellowline.com/2024/01/18/dragon-on-apple-silicon-works/)

One thing I have noticed is that Dictation on my M1 MBP running Tahoe works somewhat better than Dictation on my 2019 i9 iMac running Sequoia. The former is a bit more accurate, and better able to keep up with me when I speak rapidly. I don't know how much of that is better software vs. the faster processor vs. the difference in microphone*. [*On my iMac, I'm using the mic in my Anker C200 vidcam.]

 

[apostolosdt]

I'm using Wispr Flow; there is also a paid version, but the free one is adequate for short work. Easy to use and very reliable.

 

[Jonnod III]

MacWhisper

 

[theorist9]

I'm using Wispr Flow; there is also a paid version, but the free one is adequate for short work. Easy to use and very reliable.

Thanks. How does the performance compare to Apple Dictation?

My concern with Wispr Flow is that it's cloud-based, and users report it takes screenshots of your screen repeatedly, so there's no privacy or IP protection.

 

[theorist9]

MacWhisper

Thanks. Is it cloud-based or locally installed, and how's its performance compare to Apple Dictation?

 

[Jonnod III]

Thanks. Is it cloud-based or locally installed, and how's its performance compare to Apple Dictation?

Hi, on the computer now. so can write a fuller post!

It runs on the Mac, and you can choose the language model, different sizes on the Mac (you choose and download), or there are in the cloud options. I have set it up so that it transcribes my speech when I hold the function key down. You can give it audio and video files to transcribe. It has a comprehensive selection of outputs possible including subtitle formats.

I had Dragon Dictate for a while and was hugely disappointed with it because its accuracy was not very good. This is significantly better and deals with proper nouns and names much better than I would have expected.

 

[theorist9]

Hi, on the computer now. so can write a fuller post!

It runs on the Mac, and you can choose the language model, different sizes on the Mac (you choose and download), or there are in the cloud options. I have set it up so that it transcribes my speech when I hold the function key down. You can give it audio and video files to transcribe. It has a comprehensive selection of outputs possible including subtitle formats.

I had Dragon Dictate for a while and was hugely disappointed with it because its accuracy was not very good. This is significantly better and deals with proper nouns and names much better than I would have expected.

Good to know about Dragon Dictate.

I'll look into MacWhisper. Did you get it from the App Store, or the direct download from Gumroad? And do you have the free or the paid version?

And can you confirm that MacWhisper does real-time speech-to-text? I ask because it appears to be a transcription app (you upload an audio file for conversion to text), rather than a dictation app.

 

[Jonnod III]

I bought it directly. I have the paid version. And it does dictation, although I wouldn't call it real time, but it transcribes what you say, nearly live.