Speech-to-text (STT) apps work by converting spoken conversation into written text in real time and displaying that text on your phone for you to read.
Many phones have built-in STT apps, and there are also a wide range of them available to download to your phone or device. We look at what they are most useful for and include where to find instructions on how to use them, and where to download them.
STT apps are designed for everyday personal use. For work, healthcare or other formal settings, it’s best to use regulated communication support.
Jump to the section you need
- Apps for iPhone and iPad
- Apps for Android
- Apps for both iPhone and Android
- Using STT apps for communication support
iPhone and iPad
Built-in iPhone apps
Live Captions
If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, your phone will come with the Live Captions app already installed. It displays real-time captions and is useful for in-person conversations, phone calls and audio from apps.
How to find and use Live Captions on iPhones.
iPhone apps you can download
NALScribe
NALScribe is a free STT app created for people with hearing loss by the National Acoustics Laboratories in Australia. It is designed to be used for in-person conversations.
Hearing Helper
Hearing Helper is a live STT transcription app designed specifically for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
It’s a paid-for app and can be used for 1-to-1 conversations or transcribing speech for notes.
How to find and use Hearing Helper
Android
Built-in Android apps
Android has two apps for speech-to-text: Live Transcribe and Live Caption. Some models of Android phones come with these apps already installed, and some will require you to download them from the Google Play store.
Live Transcribe is for in-person speech. It uses the microphone in your phone to pick up the sound around you. It’s useful for in-person conversations, lectures and classroom discussion, meetings or note-taking.
How to find and use Live Transcribe
Live Caption creates live captions for audio that comes from your phone, like videos and phone calls. It’s useful for captioning phone calls, voice notes, and media content.
How to find and use Live Caption
Both Live Transcribe and Live Caption can detect non-speech sounds like laughter, clapping, music and alarms.
Android apps you can download
Speechnotes – Speech to Text Notepad
Speechnotes is a simple STT app that is useful for notetaking and short conversations. It is available free for unlimited use on Android phones.
The free version of the app has adverts, but you can pay for an ad-free version.
How to find the Speechnotes app
Apps for both iPhone and Android
Ava – Live Captions
Ava provides real-time captions for 1-to-1 and group conversations. It is designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
Ava is free to use, but you can pay a subscription to get access to more accurate transcription.
Otter AI
Otter is designed to be most useful in professional settings like the workplace. As well as in-person conversations, it can be used for online meetings through third-party video and voice calling apps like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
There is a limited free tier of use for individuals. There’s a paid-for professional and business package as well.
Wave AI Note Taker & Recorder
Wave is a paid-for app that’s designed for note-taking and recording. You can also use it as a STT app, because it transcribes speech in real time. It can be used for in-person conversations, phone calls, and online meetings.
How to find and use Wave AI Note Taker
Rogervoice
Rogervoice is a paid-for STT app that provides captions for phone calls. You use the app to make and receive phone calls which are transcribed in real time.
In addition to STT, it also includes type-to-speak, which means that you can type in a message and the app will voice it for you in real time on a call. It can also transcribe voicemails.
How to find and use Rogervoice
Using STT apps for communication support
Speech-to-text apps are unregulated, which is fine for personal use, but for communication needs in the workplace and in health care settings, we recommend regulated alternatives such as:
- Speech-to-text reporters for transcribing in-person or online meetings and appointments (useful for employers and businesses)
- The Relay UK app for transcribing phone calls via a live relay assistant.