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The Windows Voice Access Insider’s Guide

Everything we know about Windows Voice Access in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.

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ToolGPANovember 2026

Windows Voice Access

The Insider’s Guide

Free voice control and dictation built into Windows 11

Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among voice dictation apps, read from Windows Voice Access’s own pages.

Made by Microsoft · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com

2.8GPA

Contents

  1. 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
  2. 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
  3. 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
  4. 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
  5. 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
  6. 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
  7. 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

ToolGPA put this guide together from Windows Voice Access’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Windows Voice Access’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.

Part 01 · Overview

Welcome

What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first

2.8

GPA, above 23 of the 46 other voice dictation apps we grade

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.

To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Windows Voice Access, taken from its own pages and our grades.

Nothing to install, as it is part of Windows, though you do have to learn its spoken commands.
From our grade for ease of use
  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    It is free

    Windows Voice Access has no paid plan at all.

  3. 3

    It runs on Windows

    Windows.

  4. 4

    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.

  5. 5

    Dictation and fluid dictation

    Speak to write text in most text fields. Microsoft's help pages also describe a fluid dictation mode.

  6. 6

    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.

  7. 7

    A 2.8 GPA, above 23 of 46

    That is against the other voice dictation apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.

  8. 8

    Keep it

    Windows Voice Access is free, so making your own would save you nothing.

Windows Voice Access at a glance

Pricing
Free
Free plan
It is free
Free trial
None stated
Runs on
Windows
Made by
Microsoft
Category
Voice Dictation
Our grade
2.8 GPA, good

The report card

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.

ToolGPA report cardWindows Voice AccessGraded Nov 13, 2026
SubjectGradeComment
Value for moneyAFree and part of Windows 11 22H2 and later, with no paid tier, against a category where the cheaper quarter pays $7 a month.
Free plan and trialAFree outright, with no cap and no account.
FeaturesCHands-free control, dictation, text correction and custom shortcuts, but no document or meeting transcription.
Ease of useBNothing to install, as it is part of Windows, though you do have to learn its spoken commands.
Platforms and integrationsDWindows 11 only, with no Mac, phone or older Windows version.
Grade point averageGood, out of 4.02.8

An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.

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 it 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

Good to know

Good for

  • People with mobility disabilities who need to run a PC without a keyboard or mouse
  • Windows 11 users who want basic dictation with nothing to install or pay for

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.

Part 02 · Pricing

What it costs

Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved

Free

No paid plan at all

Windows Voice Access is free to use.

Free outright, with no cap and no account.
From our grade for free plan and trial

  • 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.

Part 03 · Features

What it does

Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it

1

Place it runs: Windows

Free voice control and dictation built into Windows 11. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, dictation.

Hands-free control, dictation, text correction and custom shortcuts, but no document or meeting transcription.
From our grade for 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.

Where it runs

  • Windows

What it works with

Its own pages name no integrations.

Windows Voice Access is made by Microsoft.

Part 04 · Standing

Where it stands

Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own

23/46

Other voice dictation apps it is graded above

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
  • AFree plan and trialAbove 28 of 46
  • CFeaturesAbove 1 of 46
  • BEase of useAbove 14 of 46
  • DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 46

Price against what you get

Each dot is one of 35 voice dictation apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Windows Voice Access is the marked dot.

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

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

Keep it, or make your own?

Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.

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.

Part 05 · Alternatives

The alternatives

The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side

Dragon Professional, Talon, Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow

The 5 tools Windows Voice Access is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.

Part 06 · Questions

Quick answers

The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two

12

Questions, each answered in a line or two

The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.

Is Windows Voice Access free?

Yes. Windows Voice Access is free to use.

How much does Windows Voice Access cost?

Windows Voice Access lists one plan. Voice access: $0.

What platforms does Windows Voice Access work on?

Windows Voice Access is available on Windows.

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.

Who makes Windows Voice Access?

Windows Voice Access is made by Microsoft.

What are the alternatives to Windows Voice Access?

The closest alternatives to Windows Voice Access in our directory are Dragon Professional, Talon, Braina, Speechnotes and Wispr Flow.

How does Windows Voice Access compare with other 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.

Is Windows Voice Access good value for money?

ToolGPA grades Windows Voice Access A for value for money. Windows Voice Access has no paid plan.

Could I make my own version of Windows Voice Access?

Windows Voice Access is free, so making your own would save you nothing.

Where this guide comes from

The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Windows Voice Access’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.

Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Microsoft. Prices change, so check support.microsoft.com before you buy.

Part 07 · About

About ToolGPA

Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

7,721

Tools graded, in 95 categories

ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.

Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.

  • 7,721

    tools graded

  • 95

    categories

  • 739

    price changes on record

  • 579

    apps priced in 12 countries

What else is on toolgpa.com

Scan for the live page

Prices and grades as they are today

Quoting this guide?

Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:

ToolGPA, "Windows Voice Access: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/windows-voice-access

Know someone choosing between voice dictation apps?

Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/windows-voice-access/guide

ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa

See our other guides

The best-graded voice dictation apps after Windows Voice Access, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.

ToolGPA

Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.

Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›

Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Windows Voice Access’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Windows Voice Access is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Microsoft. Prices and plans change: check support.microsoft.com before you buy.