Dictation.io vs Speechlogger (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Dictation.io if

• Fits if you want to dictate into a browser tab without installing anything
• Works for people who dictate a note now and then

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to dictate into other apps, since it only types into its own page
• Not for you if you use an iPhone or iPad, as the FAQ says it isn't compatible
• Watch out: it needs the internet because recognition runs on Google's servers
• Too light for bigger jobs: one tab at a time, and no file transcription

Pick Speechlogger if

• Fits if you want free dictation and captions in a browser tab
• Works for people who need an SRT file from a recording now and then

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use Safari or Firefox, as it needs Chrome
• Watch out: the free version shows ads, and the ad-free token's price could not be read
• Too light for heavy editing, as the vendor points to Speechnotes for a dictation notepad
• Watch out: the minute packs page does not say which feature uses the minutes

Dictation.io

• Needs Google Chrome on Windows, Mac or Linux; the FAQ says it is not compatible with iPhone or iPad.
• It does not work offline, because speech recognition happens on Google's servers.
• Only one browser tab can use speech recognition at a time.
• It is a single dictation page, with no apps, file transcription or account features.

Speechlogger

• Needs a Chrome browser and microphone permission, according to the site's own instructions.
• The free version shows ads; an ad-free Premium token is sold through the Chrome Web Store, and its price could not be read.
• The vendor points to Speechnotes as the better choice when you want a dictation notepad with editing.

Dictation.io

Real-time dictation

Speech is converted to text as you talk, ready to edit in the page, using Google's speech recognition engine.

Many languages

The languages page lists dozens of supported languages, including English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Arabic, Japanese and Korean.

Voice commands

Say a command to add a new line, punctuation or a smiley, with command lists published per language.

Local storage

Text is stored in your browser, and the site says nothing is uploaded other than the speech sent to Google for recognition.

Optional publishing

A Publish button posts your text as a GitHub Gist with a secret URL that anyone who has the link can open.

Speechlogger

Live dictation in the browser

Click the microphone and talk; text appears as you speak, with auto-punctuation rules you can customize.

Instant translation

Translates dictated text and can read it out in the target language, so two people can talk through two laptops.

Caption and file export

Exports to text, Word .doc and SRT caption files, saves to Google Drive or disk, and can add timestamps.

Speak punctuation

Marks such as periods, commas and question marks can be clicked or spoken to add them to the text.

Dictation.io

• Free$0

  The vendor describes Dictation as a free online speech recognition tool; no paid plan is listed.

Speechlogger

• Free$0

  Browser dictation with 1,000 characters of free translation credit; the page notes ads in the free version.

• Minutes pack$5

  one-time top-up, used as you go

  50 minutes for $5, 120 for $12, 600 for $60 or 1,200 for $120, paid through PayPal. The page does not say which feature uses them.