What is dictation software?
You put the cursor where the text should go, speak, and the words are typed for you. Good dictation software also adds punctuation and lets you correct yourself without reaching for the keyboard. Zefmi is one example: a dictation app for Windows that types into any app. Mac, iPhone and Android versions are coming.
What is the difference between dictation, transcription, voice typing and voice control?
- Dictation: live typing by voice, into whatever app you are in.
- Voice typing: another name for dictation. Microsoft calls its built-in version "voice typing"; Google Docs does too.
- Transcription: you give the software a recording, such as a meeting or an interview, and get a transcript back later.
- Voice control: you operate the computer by voice, for example "open Mail" or "click Send".
- Clean-up: a step after the speech is recognised that removes filler words, false starts and repeats. Not every dictation tool has one.
Which kind do you need?
| You want to | You need | Where Zefmi fits |
|---|---|---|
| Write emails, notes and messages by talking | Dictation | Yes, this is what it does |
| Get a written record of a meeting or interview | Transcription | No. Zefmi does not transcribe files or meetings |
| Use the computer without a keyboard or mouse | Voice control | No. Zefmi types text only |
| Read the voice notes people send you | Transcription of received audio | No. See WhatsApp |
How does AI dictation work?
Your microphone audio is sent to a speech recognition service, which sends back text. Some apps then pass the text to a language model that tidies it. With Zefmi, the speech goes to a speech-to-text provider and the text goes to an AI model for clean-up, and the result is pasted at your cursor. Where each step runs is on the security page. Because speech recognition runs online, Zefmi needs an internet connection.
Do Windows and Mac already have dictation?
Yes. Windows has voice typing (press Win+H) and Mac has Apple Dictation. Both are free and type wherever there is a text box. For short notes they are often enough. See Apple's Dictation guide and Microsoft's voice typing guide.
How do you choose dictation software?
- Where you type: one app (like Word) or everywhere?
- Clean-up: do you want words typed exactly as spoken, or tidied? Zefmi's AI clean-up removes filler words and false starts, and Word for word mode keeps everything.
- Languages: Zefmi types English, Cantonese and Mandarin on its one plan, US$5 a month.
- Price: free built-ins, monthly subscriptions or a one-time price. Zefmi is US$5 a month.
- Privacy: where does your audio go, and is it kept? The security page lists each provider.
Who dictates, and for what?
Compare named apps on the best dictation apps page. Microsoft and Apple facts above checked on 31 Oct 2026.
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