Windows 11 has voice typing (Win+H). It is free and needs the internet. Third-party apps differ on offline processing, languages and price. This guide helps you choose, using official pages, and includes Whisper Dictator as one option.
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 10/11 (64-bit) · Free tier: 7 transcriptions/day
Microsoft's support page says to press the Windows key plus H on a hardware keyboard. It says you need to be connected to the internet and that voice typing uses online speech recognition.
The same page lists the languages that support voice typing in Windows 11, around 50, including English (United States), English (United Kingdom) and Japanese.
The offline-related text on that page concerns Fluid dictation, which uses on-device small language models on Copilot+ PCs. If you do not have a Copilot+ PC, voice typing needs a connection.
If you need dictation that works without internet on any Windows 11 PC, more languages, or a hold-to-talk hotkey, a third-party app fills the gap. Whisper Dictator is one: Windows only, local Whisper models, a free tier, and a one-time price.
A practical reading of the comparison table.
Use Win+H. It is built in and costs nothing. Check Microsoft's list for your language.
Choose an on-device app. Superwhisper lists on-device models on Windows 10 and 11, and Whisper Dictator runs local Whisper models. Wispr Flow states transcription always happens in the cloud.
Superwhisper and Wispr Flow list Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. Whisper Dictator is Windows only.
Whisper Dictator's lifetime plan is $99 once. Compare it with the monthly or yearly prices others list.
Wispr Flow lists SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA and ISO 27001. Whisper Dictator holds none of those.
Windows only, a free limit of 7 a day, no voice commands, and no custom vocabulary yet.
Get it free from the Microsoft Store. The package is signed by Microsoft, so Windows shows no warning. The setup wizard then offers to download a Whisper model (Large-v3 Turbo recommended for most users) while you confirm your email.
Default hotkey is right-Alt (AltGr). Open any Windows 11 app, hold the key, and speak.
Let go of the key. Whisper Dictator transcribes on your PC and types the text into the active field. No paste, no clipboard, no switching windows.
Using Microsoft's support page and each vendor's official pages.
| Capability | Whisper Dictator | Windows 11 voice typing (Win+H) | Superwhisper | Wispr Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works without internet | ✓ | ✕ Needs internet (Fluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs is on-device) | ✓ | ✕ Cloud transcription |
| Languages | 99 (Whisper) | About 50 listed for Windows 11 | 100+ | 100+ |
| Free option | 7 transcriptions per day | ✓ Included in Windows | Unlimited Whisper models on the free tier | 2,000 words per week on desktop |
| Paid price as listed | $39.99/year or $99 one-time | Not applicable | See their pricing page | $15/mo or $12/mo billed annually |
| Other platforms | ✕ Windows only | Windows | Mac, iOS, Android | Mac, iPhone, Android |
The built-in option is free and good enough for many people. Where Whisper Dictator loses: it runs on Windows only, the free tier is capped at 7 transcriptions a day, and it has no voice commands or custom vocabulary today.
Every statement about another product on this page comes from the official source listed below, checked on the date shown. Products change, so confirm on the vendor's page before you decide. Statements about Whisper Dictator describe the current Windows app.
The free tier covers casual use. Paid plans are a yearly or one-time purchase.
Enough to find out if voice dictation fits your workflow
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
~$3.33/month, billed annually
Pay once, own forever. No renewals.
Yes. Windows voice typing starts with the Windows key plus H. Microsoft's support page says it needs an internet connection and uses online speech recognition.
Microsoft's page says voice typing needs a connection. It describes on-device small language models only for Fluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs.
There is no single best. Win+H is free and built in. For offline use, look at Superwhisper, Spokenly or Whisper Dictator. For several platforms, look at Superwhisper or Wispr Flow.
It runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and is installed from the Microsoft Store.
No. An NVIDIA GPU speeds transcription up, but the app also runs on the CPU. On older PCs, pick a smaller model.
Install Whisper Dictator from the Microsoft Store and compare it with Win+H on your own voice.
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 10/11 · Free tier · Works offline