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5 Free Speech to Text Apps For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Free speech-to-text apps may be limited, but you can still use them to do transcribing. You just need the right ones to cover your use cases
Speech-to-text apps that stand out for their features, user-friendliness, and versatility.
In our modern, fast-paced society, technology has continued to transform the way we communicate, and one remarkable advancement has been speech to text applications.
Track every conversation, lecture, podcast, or random voice note—and watch it appear on‑screen in crisp, perfectly punctuated text
Listens in real time for more than 100 languages and dialects, flagging hard‑to‑catch jargon and names so nothing slips past you.
Benchmark accuracy on the fly,
Exports everywhere at a tap: copy to clipboard, sync to Google Docs, drop into your project‑management tool, or share a caption file with your video editor.
A modern speech‑to‑text app combs through every syllable, highlights weak spots (muffled audio, cross‑talk, accents), and hands you a clean, searchable record you can work with.
So whether you’re a student, creator, journalist, or remote‑first team, the right free transcriber means you spend zero time replaying recordings—and 100% of your time acting on the insights they hide
Transcribe Pro is an advanced version of the popular speech-to-text tool specially designed for individuals who require real-time transcription.
Key Features
– Real-time transcription with high accuracy.
– Support for multiple languages.
– Easy export and sharing options.
– Customizable text size and colour for better readability.
Best For users seeking a professional-grade transcription solution with powerful features and excellent accuracy.
2. Ava
Ava, a transcription app for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, relies on captions to transcribe audio to text in real-time.
It is most suited for social conversations, such as business meetings, doctor’s appointments, events, and classrooms, but it is also suitable for one-on-one interactions.
This speech-to-text app for iPhone and Android allows users to connect their phone’s microphone to another microphone and have their voice converted into text in real time.
The app has several benefits, such as providing 90% accurate voice-to-text transcription, saving transcriptions, and supporting 16 languages.
It also transcribes voice-to-text in real-time from up to a meter away and allows users to add custom vocabulary. Additionally
However, there are certain drawbacks to consider. For instance, for group conversations, the other person must also install the app.
Furthermore, the free version has limited features, and the community and professional plans are charged hourly, starting at $14.99 per month for 3 hours, with additional hours costing $4.99.
Key Feature
– Real-time captioning for conversations and meetings.
– Transcription app for deaf people
– Seamless integration with video conferencing platforms.
– Support for multiple users in group settings.
– Customizable settings to suit individual needs.
Best For a real-time transcription app tailored for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, with additional features for group interactions.
3. Google Live Transcribe (android only)
Google’s Live Transcribe is a free transcription app for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, that helps them to connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing groups.
It uses Google’s speech recognition technology to transcribe speech in near-real time for Android platforms.
Sound Amplifier is designed to improve sound quality even in environments with poor acoustics or background noise. However, it only works with wired headphones.
Additionally, the feature supports over 70 languages and dialects, enabling bilingual communication. Keep in mind that a paid subscription is required to access all of its features.
One of its useful functions is ignoring non-speech sounds such as laughter, doorbells, phone rings, and music. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer the ability to save call transcripts.
Another helpful feature is the ability to set the device to vibrate whenever someone says your name, although this is not available for iOS. Lastly, users have the option to adjust the text size according to their preferences.
Key Feature
– Real-time transcription with high accuracy.
– Support for a broad array of languages.
– Integration with other Google services.
– Simple and easy-to-use interface.
Best for users seeking a free, reliable, and easy-to-use speech-to-text app with real-time capabilities in android only
5. Otter
Otter is also known as a note-taking app for people that is suitable for the workplace and meeting professionals.
It can accurately transcribe voice meetings, interviews, lectures, and everyday voice interactions in real time, making use of speech-to-text technology and a microphone.
With this app, one can transcribe in real-time, when online, with great accuracy and variable speed playback, and can save and distribute transcripts, and is available for iOS and Android users. However, the app is not free.
Key Feature
– Real-time transcription with high accuracy.
– Ability to organize and review transcriptions.
– Integration with cloud storage services.
– Advanced features such as speaker identification and keyword searching.
Best For users who need comprehensive transcription features with strong organizational tools and high accuracy.
When choosing the best speech to text app for your needs, you must consider real-time transcription, accessibility features, and device compatibility. There are various great speech-to-text apps available, each with various features tailored to particular user needs.
For those seeking professional-grade assistance with more features, Live Transcribe Pro and Otter are fantastic options. These apps offer impressive features for effectively capturing and managing spoken content.
If accessibility is an important priority, Live Transcribe Pro for iOS, Ava, and Google’s Live Transcribe stand out because they provide great real-time captioning support, especially for people who rely on captioning for accessibility.
For iPhone users looking for seamless integration with iOS, Live Transcribe Pro is the ideal solution, providing a smooth and integrated experience.
These apps are some of the best in the world of speech to text technology, offering users a variety of options to meet their unique needs and tastes.
Experience a sense of inclusivity and unity within your student and family community through the power of real-time transcriptions with Live Transcribe Pro for iOS.
