What is the best free dictation software for Windows?

Start with the dictation that comes with Windows ¹. Press Windows key + H in any text box to use voice typing, and turn on Voice Access if you need to control the PC by voice as well ². Voice typing needs an internet connection every time ³, while Voice Access works offline after its first setup ⁴. If you need an app that transcribes on your own computer, the free, open-source project Handy is one we found that says it does this ⁵.

Our overview of dictation on Windows covers the full set of paid and free apps. This question looks only at the free ones. For the whole subject, see dictation on Windows.

Win+H voice typing is built in, but it needs the internet

Voice typing is the simpler tool. You start it with Windows key + H, and it types into the text box that holds the cursor ⁶. It needs three things: a working microphone, an internet connection and the cursor in a text box ³. Because it needs the internet for every use, it is not a good choice for text that must stay on the PC.

If Voice Access is running, Windows does not start voice typing when you press Win+H. It tells you to dictate with Voice Access instead ⁶. Turn one off before you use the other. For the steps, see our guide to Windows voice typing and the Win+H shortcut.

Voice Access is the built-in choice when you need offline use

Voice Access is the fuller tool. Microsoft says it is available in Windows 11, version 22H2 or later ⁷. It can write text and control the PC, so you can work with apps and edit text by voice, not only dictate ².

The first setup needs an internet connection ⁸, since that is when your preferred language downloads ⁹. After that, Microsoft says it lets you control your PC and write text by voice without an internet connection ¹⁰. That is the main reason to choose it over voice typing if your work must stay offline.

Check that your language is on Microsoft's list of Voice Access languages before you depend on it.

Handy and Buzz are open-source options that run on your PC

Handy is a free, open-source speech-to-text application that works completely offline ¹¹. Its README says transcription happens on your own computer and that no information is sent to the cloud ⁵. It is listed as working on Windows, macOS and Linux ¹². Expect more setup than with a built-in feature, so read the install steps and the model list before you commit.

Buzz is another open-source option, released under the MIT License ¹³. It describes itself as transcribing and translating audio offline on a personal computer ¹⁴. It also lists live transcription from a microphone ¹⁵, but it does not type into other apps, so it fits transcripts better than dictation into your documents. For Nvidia GPU support on Windows, the README asks for a CUDA build of torch with the PyPI install ¹⁶.

For the on-device idea in general, see offline speech to text on Windows. Our own app, Yap, is also an on-device dictation app for Windows, so weigh this section with that in mind.

Free cloud tiers have limits you can hit quickly

Some well-known apps offer a free plan with a cap rather than a free tier with no limits. Wispr Flow's free plan allows 2,000 dictated words per week on desktop, and 1,000 per week on mobile ¹⁷. At 2,000 words a week on desktop, a 50,000-word draft would use the whole weekly allowance for 25 weeks ¹⁸. If you dictate a lot, a free cap is not the same as free dictation. The free tier entry explains what to check.

What to use, in order

1. Start with Win+H voice typing for short texts, emails and notes, if your PC has internet and your text is not sensitive.
2. Turn on Voice Access if you need hands-free control or offline use, and your PC runs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later.
3. Try Handy or Buzz if the audio must never leave your computer and you can handle a manual install.
4. Test before you rely on any of them. Dictate 500 words of your real work, and count the corrections. The overview of dictation software has the full test.

Built-in tools are enough for many people who write short texts. Pay only when a measured gap remains, such as accuracy on your own vocabulary or a feature the free tools lack.