Mac’s Hidden Gems: Best Free Speech Recognition Software with No Download Required

Do you struggle to meet deadlines for your text assignments? If you do, then you are in luck. Speech recognition technology is the best way to beat this challenge. Whether you are a student or a corporate professional, several speech-to-text apps can be used to guarantee that you meet your deadlines. For example, Mac owners can use dragon for Mac to complete typing assignments in half the time.

Below are the best speech-to-text apps on Mac you might have missed since the beginning of 2022. Some of the apps in the list are in-built into your device, while others may require you to download additional software. Regardless, all of those listed below are free to use on your Mac device. Keep reading to find out more.

Part1: Top 1 Built-in Mac Dictation Feature

Did you know your Mac device comes with a built-in speech-to-text feature? So whether you use a laptop or desktop, you can generate text from your voice through your device’s microphone. Officially known as Dictation, the app allows you to transcribe text anywhere you can type it. So, for example, you can use Apple Dictation for your messaging and word processing apps.

The feature has been available since macOS Sierra as a free built-in feature. Earlier versions of Apple Dictation relied on its voice recognition software. However, it now relies on Siri for users of macOS Catalina onwards.

Typically, the app allows you to transcribe thirty seconds and below of audio. However, you can enable Enhanced dictation for longer transcription times. According to most users, the app is suitable for getting the first draft of your assignment, which you can manually edit later.

Follow these steps to enable Apple Dictation on your Mac:

Tap the Apple logo on the top-left toolbar of your screen and select System Preferences from the resulting menu.
Click on the Keyboard option from the system preferences screen.
Once there, click on the Dictation option located at the top of the menu.
Select On to activate the app in its default mode. In addition, you can check the Use Enhanced Dictation box to enable additional functions such as offline use and text commands like bold and italics.
Finally, select your language from the dropdown menu and choose a shortcut key.

Please note that you need to speak your punctuation loudly when using Apple Dictation. Otherwise, the app will consider them as regular words.

Part2: Top 2 Microsoft Word [Free & No Download]

Another option to consider is speech-to-text Microsoft Word Mac. The app is free to use and relies on Microsoft Azure Speech Services to transcribe text. Below are the requirements to use speech-to-text word mac.

An external microphone for your Mac desktop, or you can use your built-in microphone for your MacBook. This is because speech-to-text on Microsoft word mac only allows input with a microphone rather than an audio file upload.
An active Office 365 subscription. Please note you need to log in to your account for the app to function.
Insider builds 16.32 (19120802) and above.
An active internet connection.

Once you have everything set up, follow these steps to use speech-to-text on Word.

Launch Microsoft Word from your desktop.
Click on the Dictate button from the top menu of your Word document, and wait for the red dot to appear. The button features a microphone for easy identification.
Once the dot appears, start speaking to transcribe your text. Ensure you are in a quiet environment for the best results. In addition, speak louder when transcribing punctuations.
Click on the Dictate button to finish the transcription.

Part3: Top 3 Google docs

Google Docs is arguably the market’s most accurate free speech-to-text service. In addition, it allows you to transcribe your voice to text and format documents with your voice. However, you can only use the service through the Chrome browser.

Follow these steps to activate Google Docs voice typing on your Mac device:

Launch the Chrome browser on your macOS and select Docs from the app menu. Please note you will need an active Google account to use the service.
Open a new document and click on the Tools tab from the top menu.
Select Voice Typing from the menu to access speech-to-text on Google Docs.
Tap the microphone to start transcribing, and tap it again to finish.

Google Docs speech-to-text is available in 71 languages. In addition, it supports simple commands such as ‘create a bulleted list,’ which are unavailable on other speech-to-text apps. As such, it is one of the market’s most popular voice typing apps.

Part4: Top 4 Filmora

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Adding subtitles to your videos can be incredibly time-consuming if you do not have the right tools. However, with Filmora’s speech-to-text function, you can add subtitles to your video with a single click. In addition, it automatically recognizes audio in your videos and transcribes it to text with incredible accuracy. The plugin uses state-of-the-art algorithms to ensure the video industry’s most accurate speech technology.

Furthermore, you can import external files to your video’s timeline and edit them as you please. For example, you can import a video from your thumb drive and use the Filmora speech-to-text plugin to transcribe to text. Currently, the plugin can transcribe the text in 26 languages. As such, it is a favorite for vloggers, teachers, and film editors, who all have to deliver their content with great efficiency.

Please note that you must have Filmora installed on your Mac device to access the Speech to Text plugin. In addition, check if your Filmora version is compatible with the plugin before downloading. Once you confirm that you meet all the requirements, here is how to use the service:

Launch the Filmora app on your Mac and open a new video workspace.
Click on the microphone symbol at the bottom right corner of the page to start recording. Tap it once again to finish the recording.
Tap the Tools tab on your main menu and select Speech to Text. Then, confirm your preferences and wait for the transcription.

Part5: Top 5 Dragon for Mac

Dragon Dictate is arguably the best dictation software currently on the market. According to most users, its accuracy and feature sets are next to none. For example, the Smart Format Rules learn how you represent dates, numbers, and abbreviations, resulting in less editing work for you. The Dragon Dictate app is free to download from the Apple Store.

Dragon for Mac users reports a dictation accuracy of nearly 99%, which is excellent in the speech-to-text software category. All of Nuance’s Dragon products use deep learning technology to capture your accent and cadence. As such, the app gets better at transcribing your text as you continue using it. In addition, dragon for Mac professional allows you to transcribe audio clips from uploaded files. For example, you can import audio from your iPhone to your Dragon Dictate workspace and transcribe it hassle-free.

Unfortunately, you cannot get a stand-alone dragon app for Mac. This is because Nuance discontinued its development in 2018. In addition, Microsoft’s acquisition of the company in 2021 proves that the decision is permanent. However, you can still use the Windows version of Dragon through Parallels, which allows you to run macOS and Windows simultaneously. In addition, this method also works for M1 Macs.

Part6: FAQs

Is there a difference between voice recognition and speech-to-text?

Voice recognition software allows your device to capture your accent and tone and then stores that data for different functions, such as user logins and speech-to-text functionality. For example, Siri will ask you to repeat a sentence several times as one of the setup steps.

Which is the best external device for the speech-to-text service?

Most users report better speech-to-text accuracy when using headsets compared to using an external microphone. This is because the microphone is much closer to your mouth, so your voice is less affected by external noise.

Can speech-to-text apps automatically translate a transcribed text?

Yes, they can. Apps such as Google’s Speech to Text include a translation feature in their functionality. However, you will need the Google Chrome browser to access Speech to text. This is because the service is only available to active google account holders.

How much faster is speech to text faster than typing?

A 2017 Stanford study states that speech to text is aboutthree times faster than typing . In addition, it found that speech-to-text apps can transcribe over 150 words per minute, while professional transcriptionists range between 50 to 80 words per minute.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Launch the Filmora app on your Mac and open a new video workspace.
Click on the microphone symbol at the bottom right corner of the page to start recording. Tap it once again to finish the recording.
Tap the Tools tab on your main menu and select Speech to Text. Then, confirm your preferences and wait for the transcription.

Part5: Top 5 Dragon for Mac

Part6: FAQs

Is there a difference between voice recognition and speech-to-text?

Which is the best external device for the speech-to-text service?

Can speech-to-text apps automatically translate a transcribed text?

How much faster is speech to text faster than typing?

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Revolutionize Your Visuals: 8 Best Photo Animation Tools

FREE 8 Best Tools to Make Animated Photo Easily

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It’s no wonder that the newest technology that includes animated photos or says GIFs have taken center stage.

What if you want to create some animated photos with free-to-use animated video software of your choice? These loops are hilarious sometimes and can express what words can’t. Are you wondering the same?

Well! You can do this yourself now. With the help of this article, we will make you acquainted with some really useful animated photo makers that will give information on how to animate a picture. Let’s start grasping those tools and begin making our GIFs.

Part1: Best Animated Photo Maker on Phone
Part2: Best Animated Photo Maker to make GIF

Recommended animated tool: Filmora

If you want to have more controls on animation photos, we recommend using Filmora .

You can use cartoon effects to make an animated photo with one click. You need to import your photo to start making animation easily. Besides, color correction and an audio mixer will raise your animated photo to a new level. Free download it to have a try!

Note: You can use Filmora to make animated photos by adding keyframes if you have more controls.

Part 1: Best Animated Photo Maker on Phone

First, we would like to introduce you to some apps that will help you do picture animation on your phone in this section.

1. Animate Me

The first animation image-maker is Animate me, which is enjoyable for only iPhone users. In other words, this app can only be installed on an iOS device.

You can create funny videos, e-Cards, or animate any kind of picture. In the e-Cards, you can add any face to make it more appealing and entertaining. This app can be used to animate yourself, your pets, or anyone you wish.

It is an amazing app that is worth giving a try to make others laugh by creating amazing GIFs.

Features of Animate Me

The app offers more than 100 new e-Cards and adds new cards weekly.
You can add multiple sounds for each character and get them talking too.
In addition, there are ‘Hero masks’ available that you can use on your character’s face.

Cons

Sometimes, the crash happens while you open it
Navigation is not clear between different tabs

2. Loopsie

Loopsie is yet another picture animation maker available for both Android and iPhone users. This is one of the best photo and video creation apps used on a mobile phone.

Loopsie is free to use and is a mix of pictures and videos.

Features of Loopsie

Along with being extremely easy to use, it provides output resolutions that are completely socially ready.
One can do direct sharing on Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp.
There will be no need for a tripod while working with this app to make creative photos or videos.

Cons

The imported videos will rank randomly
Lacks enough guide on its website

3. Picstun

The next picture animation maker is Picstun, for Android device users. This is a professional photo animator app giving awesome animated video effects that can be applied to a picture to animate it.

Download this app and give a creative look to your picture.

Features of Picstun

This app gives the option to crop or rotate your image and numerous animated video effects added to a photo and animate it.
You can preview your file once before saving it. Also, you can save it on your SD card easily.
It allows you to share your output file to various social platforms like Facebook, Gmail, YouTube, etc.

Cons

Sometimes, it will crash if you import too many photos
The animated effects are limited

Part 2: Best Animated Photo Maker to make GIF

This section will update you with the software or programs to know how to animate a picture on a computer. Here are those.

1. GIF Brewery

GIF Brewery is free software for Mac users that offers a simple, easy, and intuitive user interface. Anyone can use it to make creative and amazing GIFs from videos since there is no video-making expertise needed for using it.

You can resize and crop your video and even set the preferred frame rate.

Features of GIF Brewery

You can apply many captions or overlay pictures with this picture animation maker.
Easy saving options and the files can be easily shared with iMessage or mail.
There are amazing filters that can be applied to photos such as color correction.

Cons

You can not remove individual frames while making GIF
Bugs happen sometimes

2. GIFMaker.me

GIFMaker.me is one tool that can help you do photo animation online. This online animated photo maker allows the users to create GIFs, slideshows, animated videos with music effortlessly.

GIFMaker.me supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. You just need a web browser and need to upload your image.

Features of GIFMaker.me

This tool gives the options of reducing size, reversing or resizing a GIF, merging, or separating multiple GIFs.
There are options to set animation speed or canvas size.
There is no requirement to register yourself to use this.

Cons

The interface is not easy to navigate
The maximum number of images you can upload is 300

3. GIF Toaster

Another GIF maker app is GIF Toaster, which claims to be the best quality GIF maker app ever. You are just 4 steps away from creating your creative GIF when using this app. Choose the photo you want to convert into GIF and then set encoding options. Start encoding and then choose the ‘GIF’ tab to give your picture GIF effect.

Features of GIF Toaster

The app can change any media format into GIF.
It creates the GIF without compromising in quality.
It’s available in English, Korean, and Japanese languages.

Cons

Start and stop arrows are not easy to tap
Rarely it can’t access Camera Roll Album

4. Animated GIF Maker

This picture animation maker or GIF maker is also an online tool. You can upload images up to 6MB. This means you can execute the photo animation online by just moving to your web browser.

Features of Animated GIF Maker

This app allows you to upload multiple files at a time.
It can convert even different formats and sizes into GIFs.
After making GIF, you can customize it by resizing or cropping.

5. 3Dthis

The last, but certainly not the least, picture animation maker on today’s list of best tools to make photo animation online is 3Dthis. With this online tool, you can easily create 3D models and morph animations quite quickly.

Features of 3Dthis

With this web app, you can create print-ready 3D designs.
It allows you to morph your images for 3D modeling effectively.

Bonus tip: Create an Animation Video with Anireel

Anireel provides a faster and smoother animated video creation experience with customizable elements to bring anyone’s imagination to life. Users can create intuitive, fun, and innovative animation-centric explainer videos using many customizable elements for knowledge base and communication. You can use a drag-and-drop editor to add props, actions, characters, and audio to videos. There are pre-set animation templates for the main users to utilize and benefit from.

Final Verdict

We hope your question, “how to animate a picture,” has now the answer. Not one, we gave multiple solutions to this question. We provided you with some best GIF makers, including Filmora, that can be used on different platforms. You can easily get what you long for with these animated photo makers. So enjoy doing animations and creating funny and useful GIFs. Thanks for reading this post.

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox