Voice to Text: Accelerate Creation

The age of voice to text tools has arrived. Speech-to-text tools supercharge productivity for missionaries and content creators.

Although at the bottom of this article I’ve included multiple tools to try, I have personally been using Willow, which I am actually using right now to write this article. Willow is unfortunately Mac only. So anyone with a great recommendation, or argument for a good Windows speech-to-text software, we would love the feedback.

Historically speaking…

Speech-to-text softwares have been out for a while. They have been something you could purchase for even the last 15 years, but the quality of what was behind them before (it was AI, before it was just machine learning or translation tools), was always, in my experience, so weak that it cost me just as much to correct everything as to be accelerated by speaking instead of writing.

Those days are long gone. I encourage the combination of speaking to the AI and letting a tool like this become the interface to correct dictation.

“In the future, clearly there’s only one way computers will be controlled: by speaking to them.” (CodingHorror)

What I do…

When I’m using Willow, I have it installed on my MacBook Pro. I have a single function key that I push whenever I want to speak. I don’t know if it’s the excellent microphone built into the MacBook Pro, but I rarely have it not understand exactly what I’m saying.

I use it in any interface that I want to. The AI assistance that I use into Google Docs, into my development tools and IDEs. Anywhere that I am adding keystrokes, I can add them with my voice.

I think one of the most shocking things to me has been this change from coding as I’m a developer, with where I’m actually writing code, to using AI to develop, which means that I’m speaking to the coding assistant in natural language to get it to develop the tools that I need to develop.

It’s like an amazing moment in time where everything goes faster because I can compose just by verbally speaking and it turns into applications, websites, and all kinds of other tools that used to cost me days to create.

Quick list …

Here’s a quick list of ideas of where this could be useful, and I am sure most workers are exhausted with these kinds of regular, repetitive tasks.

• Field reporting and documentation (quickly capturing ministry updates, incident reports, or daily logs hands-free)
• Email and messaging (dictating correspondence, follow-up, or prayer updates while traveling or multitasking)
• Translation and multilingual content creation (producing texts in multiple languages by speaking, then editing transcriptions)
• Meeting notes and collaboration (transcribing group discussions, interviews, or training sessions for accurate records)
• Database entry and CRM updates (updating contact information, event attendance, or outreach logs without manual typing)
• Training resource production (dictating lesson scripts, devotionals, podcasts, or video subtitles)
• Social media content creation (quickly speaking posts, updates, or testimonies for digital outreach)

Best in class…

Mac platform speech to text:

• Willow Voice
  Features: Offers near real-time, highly accurate speech-to-text transcription and dictation directly in any Mac app. Stands out for speed, privacy (local processing), technical vocabulary support, and seamless integration. Praised for reliability in dictation, taking notes, and writing long-form content.​​
• MacWhisper
  Features: Uses OpenAI’s Whisper model for best-in-class accuracy, offline transcription, batch subtitle export, and recognition in over 100 languages. Popular for local privacy, advanced research, and journalistic use. Free core features, affordable Pro license available.​
• MurmurType
  Features: AI-powered Mac dictation/transcription app with local/cloud privacy controls, technical/professional accuracy, and direct integration with Mac apps. Synced across devices, well-reviewed for research, academics, and confidential transcriptions.​
• Otter.ai
  Features: Cloud-based app known for fast meeting and conversation transcription, real-time collaboration, voice ID tagging, and file export. Integrates with Zoom/Microsoft Teams/Google Meet. Widely used for team workflows, offers a generous free plan.​
• Aiko
  Features: Simple, lightweight, on-device speech-to-text transcription for Mac (and iOS), leveraging Whisper engine for privacy and multi-language support. Great for hobbyists, casual users, and students needing fast, accurate, local transcription.​

Windows platform speech to text:

• Dragon Professional Individual
  Features: Industry leader for professional dictation and voice control. Best-in-class accuracy (up to 99%), learns your unique voice/vocabulary, customizable commands for full computer control. Used by legal, medical, and business professionals; highly recommended for those needing the utmost accuracy and advanced features. Expensive (one-time or subscription purchase).​
• Microsoft Voice Access / Windows Speech Recognition
  Features: Built-in to Windows 11 (or included as Windows Speech Recognition on earlier versions). Free, easy to enable, works in any app. Good basic dictation with real-time commands for hands-free PC control; best for everyday users, students, and those who want free, system-level speech-to-text.​
• Otter.ai
  Features: Cloud-based, cross-platform tool. Provides fast, automated, and highly collaborative transcription for meetings, interviews, and lectures. Integrates well with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet. Known for strong free tier, mobile/web compatibility, speaker identification, and file import.​
• Braina Pro
  Features: AI-powered dictation with a focus on productivity and multi-language support (90+ languages). Allows PC voice control, dictation, and even integration with ChatGPT-like assistants for content generation. Affordable lifetime license makes it great for advanced users who want a powerful all-in-one productivity assistant.​
• Voicy
  Features: Highly accurate, AI-driven speech-to-text platform. Works seamlessly in Windows, Mac, and browsers (including Gmail, Word, WhatsApp, etc.), with true real-time dictation and AI-powered editing/refinement. Supports 50+ languages, automatic grammar/punctuation, and allows you to change the tone or style of dictated text. Paid, but praised for ease of use and rapid, polished results.​

Summary

In summary, I’ve found that today’s voice-to-text tools are game changers for anyone in missions or content creation—like me—who wants to get more done with less friction. Whether I’m sending reports, composing emails, creating training resources, or even posting to social media, the latest Mac and Windows solutions each offer powerful features that suit different workflows.