Windows Voice Access review (2026): is it any good?
Free voice control and dictation built into Windows 11
Windows Voice Access report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for controlling a Windows 11 PC and dictating by voice
Voice access is built into Windows 11 and is free, with dictation, on-device recognition and spoken commands for clicking and editing. It works only on Windows 11 22H2 or later and is built around controlling the PC, so it has no transcription of documents or meetings.
Who Windows Voice Access is for
- Fits if you run Windows 11 and want to control it by voice at no cost
- Works for people who need hands-free use of the PC
Who Windows Voice Access is not for
- Not for you if you use a Mac, iPhone or Android phone, as it is Windows only
- Skip it if you are on Windows 10 or older, as it needs Windows 11 22H2 or later
- Too light for transcribing meetings or long audio, as it has no transcription features
- Watch out: it replaced Windows Speech Recognition from September 2024, so old habits may need relearning
Why Windows Voice Access gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and part of Windows 11 22H2 and later, with no paid tier, against a category where the cheaper quarter pays $7 a month.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright, with no cap and no account.
- CFeaturesHands-free control, dictation, text correction and custom shortcuts, but no document or meeting transcription.
- BEase of useNothing to install, as it is part of Windows, though you do have to learn its spoken commands.
- DPlatforms and integrationsWindows 11 only, with no Mac, phone or older Windows version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Microsoft's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/windows-voice-access#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/windows-voice-access.svg" alt="Windows Voice Access: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Windows Voice Access stands among voice dictation apps
Windows Voice Access's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 23 of the 46 other voice dictation apps we grade, and level with 11.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 28 of 46) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Windows Voice Access has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 47 voice dictation apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Windows Voice Access’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 22 of 46, level with 24
- AFree plan and trialAbove 28 of 46, level with 18
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 46, level with 22
- BEase of useAbove 14 of 46, level with 30
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 46, level with 8
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 35 voice dictation apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
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
Keep Windows Voice Access, or make your own?
Keep it
Windows Voice Access is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Dictation that types into any app on your computer.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Windows Voice Access’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Windows Voice Access?
Voice access is a feature of Windows 11 that lets people control the PC and write text by speaking. Commands open apps, click items on screen and edit text, and dictation works in most text fields. Microsoft says it recognizes speech on the device, so it can run without an internet connection.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- Hands-free PC control
- Open and switch between apps, browse the web, and interact with items on screen, plus keyboard and mouse actions, all by voice.
- Dictation and fluid dictation
- Speak to write text in most text fields. Microsoft's help pages also describe a fluid dictation mode.
- Select, edit and correct text
- Separate help pages cover selecting, navigating, editing and correcting text by voice, so a document can be revised without the keyboard.
- Custom voice shortcuts
- Create your own voice shortcuts, and use voice on a multi-display setup or to set up and log in to the PC.
- On-device recognition
- Microsoft says voice access uses on-device speech recognition and works even without an internet connection.
Windows Voice Access pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Windows Voice Access is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Voice access | $0 | Part of Windows 11 version 22H2 and later at no extra charge; there is no separate paid tier. |
Read from support.microsoft.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Windows Voice Access before you buy.
Windows Voice Access alternatives
- Windows Voice Access vs Dragon Professional
From $685.99
- Windows Voice Access vs Talon
Free plan · from $5/mo
- Windows Voice Access vs Braina
Free plan · from $99/yr
- Windows Voice Access vs Speechnotes
Free plan · from $1.9/mo
- Windows Voice Access vs Wispr Flow
Free plan · from $12/mo
Common questions
Does Windows Voice Access have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Windows Voice Access is listed for Windows.
Does Windows Voice Access have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Windows Voice Access is listed for Windows.
Is Windows Voice Access open source?
Windows Voice Access is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does Windows Voice Access work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.