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Alternatives · Dictation

Windows Voice Access alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Windows Voice Access alternative for most people is Wispr Flow (2.8 GPA), first in our ranking of voice dictation apps. The best free one is Speechnotes (3.2 GPA).

Windows Voice Access compared with 5 alternatives: Dragon Professional, Talon, Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow.

Windows Voice Access is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Windows Voice AccessThis toolFreeFreeWindows
Dragon ProfessionalFrom $685.99NoWindows
TalonFree plan · from $5/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
BrainaFree plan · from $99/yrYesmacOS, Windows
SpeechnotesFree plan · from $1.9/moYesWeb, Android, Browser extension
Wispr FlowFree plan · from $12/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

Windows Voice Access has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow score higher without starting lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$1$2$5$10$20$50More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessWindows Voice AccessTalonBrainaSpeechnotesWispr Flow

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of voice dictation apps, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Windows Voice Access

  1. Dragon Professional

    Windows speech recognition for dictation and voice commands

    • Dragon Professional starts at $685.99 per 1-user license (reseller CDW's advertised price).
    • Dragon Professional has no free plan, unlike Windows Voice Access.
    • Dragon Professional also covers transcription.

    Suits: Professionals who dictate long documents on a Windows PC

    Dragon Professional vs Windows Voice AccessDragon Professional pricing and details

  2. Talon

    Hands-free computer control by voice, eye tracking and noises

    • Talon starts at $5 per month on Patreon; the Talon+ tier is $25 per month.
    • Talon also lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Talon also covers workflow automation.

    Suits: People with limited or no use of their hands

    Talon vs Windows Voice AccessTalon pricing and details

  3. Braina

    Voice assistant and dictation software for Windows and macOS

    • Braina starts at $99 for a 1-year license on 1 Windows PC.
    • Braina also lists a macOS app.
    • Braina also covers transcription, chat assistant and workflow automation.

    Suits: Windows users who want dictation together with voice control of the PC

    Braina vs Windows Voice AccessBraina pricing and details

  4. Speechnotes

    Free online dictation notepad with a voice-typing extension

    • Speechnotes starts at $1.9 per month, paid once for a year with no auto-renewal.
    • Speechnotes also lists a web app, an Android app and a browser extension.
    • Speechnotes lists no Windows app, which Windows Voice Access has.
    • Speechnotes also covers transcription and notes.

    Suits: People who want free dictation in a browser with no install or sign-up

    Speechnotes vs Windows Voice AccessSpeechnotes pricing and details

  5. Wispr Flow

    Voice dictation that cleans up your speech in any app

    • Wispr Flow starts at $12 per user / month, billed annually.
    • Wispr Flow also lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Wispr Flow also covers meeting notes, transcription and text expansion.

    Suits: People who write a lot of email, chat and documents and prefer to speak

    Wispr Flow vs Windows Voice AccessWispr Flow pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Windows Voice Access

  • Needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later; it is not available on macOS, mobile or older Windows versions.
  • Replaced Windows Speech Recognition on Windows 11 22H2 and later starting in September 2024.
  • Built around controlling the PC and accessibility, so it has no document or meeting transcription features.
Windows Voice Access pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Windows Voice Access?

The alternatives to Windows Voice Access in this directory are Dragon Professional, Talon, Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Windows Voice Access.

Is there a free alternative to Windows Voice Access?

Yes. Talon, Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Windows Voice Access alternatives work on macOS?

The Windows Voice Access listing does not include a macOS app. Talon, Braina and Wispr Flow list one.

Which Windows Voice Access alternatives work on Linux?

The Windows Voice Access listing does not include a Linux app. Talon lists one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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