The Best Dictation Apps for iPhone
An iPhone dictation keyboard should be easy to reach, clear about where your voice goes, and useful in the apps where you already write.
For private voice typing across iPhone apps, KeyVox is our top pick. Its keyboard turns speech into text on the iPhone, while Apple Dictation is the easiest built-in choice.
Wispr Flow and Aqua Voice use cloud processing. superwhisper is the more configurable choice for people who also need iPad or Windows support.
What matters on iPhone
We compared processing location, keyboard workflow, Full Access needs, account requirements, price, personal words, writing cleanup, and whether the same product continues onto other devices.
iPhone choices compared
| Product | Best fit | Processing | Other devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| KeyVox | Local dictation with extra writing and reading tools | On-device | Mac |
| Apple Dictation | Built-in convenience | On-device in many languages | Other Apple devices |
| Wispr Flow | Cloud workflow and teams | Cloud | Mac, Windows, Android Beta |
| superwhisper | Configurable local or cloud modes | Local or optional cloud | Mac, Windows, iPad |
| Aqua Voice | Cloud dictation with spoken edits | Cloud | Mac and Windows |
Understand keyboard access
Third-party keyboards can ask for Full Access to communicate with their main app or use network features. KeyVox requires Full Access for its keyboard workflow, but its transcription still runs on the iPhone and does not send recorded speech to a transcription server.
Apple’s built-in Dictation does not require installing a third-party keyboard. Cloud products need a connection because their servers produce the transcript.
How KeyVox differs
Tap the microphone on the KeyVox keyboard, speak, then tap again to stop recording. KeyVox creates the completed text and inserts it together where you are typing. Dictionary words can sync through your Apple iCloud account.
KeyVox Vibes can try a different writing style on your latest dictation before you edit it, and Speak can read supported text locally. Normal dictation works without internet after the model download.
Questions people ask
Does KeyVox need Full Access on iPhone?
Yes, for its keyboard workflow. That permission does not change the fact that KeyVox performs speech transcription on the iPhone.
Is KeyVox Free?
Yes. KeyVox is free to use with no recurring fee for dictation or weekly limit.
Put local dictation on your iPhone keyboard.
Download KeyVox for iPhone.
No KeyVox account. Dictation has no recurring subscription.