Flow: The Best Apple Dictation Alternative for Power Users

The TL;DR

Best for power users who need reliable dictation with little to no post edit work.

Fast and reliable dictation that get’s it right the first time.

Compatible in any text box—no setup required.

Adapts to your tone and writes like you.

AI-powered text structuring and formatting.

Best for casual users looking for a simple built-in dictation solution.

Free and integrated with all Apple devices.

Basic voice commands to format dictated text.

Works offline with Enhanced Dictation.

Great for multilingual users looking for a free option.

Feature Comparison

Apple Dictation

Flow

Platform availability

All Apple devices

macOS, Windows and iOS

Cross-app usability

Dictionary

Error correction

Minimal correction

Advanced AI error correct

Automatic formating

Minimal formating

Automatic structuring

Minimal structuring

Editing & formatting commands

Voice commands for formatting

Flow command mode

Set up and installation

Already integrated

Simple, but requires a download

Tone Matching

Context-aware corrections

Hands-free mode

Multilingual support

Cost

Free

Freemium

Frequency of updates & improvements

Apple system updates

Regular updates and responsive support

If you asked me to be 100% honest

An unbiased comparison (I promise).

Apple Dictation is integrated into every Apple device you own. It offers a straightforward solution for your voice-to-text needs and works well within the Apple ecosystem.

It’s there when you need it, requiring no additional setup or cost.

The upside of Apple dictation:

Always available: No installation, no setup—just tap and talk (after reading the user manual).

Apple ecosystem integration: It works perfectly with Apple’s suite of apps. No surprises there.

Free: Included with your device, no additional charges.

Multilingual support: Supports 32 unique languages and 60 dialect variations.

Real-time streaming: You can see the text generate as you speak. This is helpful to keep track of context.

Voice Commands: Basic commands for punctuation and formatting.

The downside of Apple dictation:

Inconsistent accuracy: You'll often find yourself correcting errors, which can be frustrating.

No AI-powered features: Lacks intelligent features for post-dictation tasks like formatting and grammar correction.

Unnatural formatting commands: The formatting commands don’t feel natural and can interrupt your flow of thought.

Struggles with accents: If you have an accent, you might experience inconsistent results.

Flow is designed for those who view voice-to-text as a key productivity tool, not just a convenience.

What sets Flow apart is its intelligent AI features that provide a smooth and accurate dictation experience.

The upside of Flow:

Works across all text boxes: Install Flow with a simple download, and it works everywhere.

Auto formatting and structuring: Text is automatically formatted and structured, removing typos, grammar mistakes, and those ‘uhms’ and ‘ahs’.

Tone matching: Adapts to your speaking style based an the app you use—from a casual tone on Slack to a professional one in emails.

Smart editing commands: Unlike basic voice commands like “new line” or “comma,” Flow lets you highlight a sentence and ask it to revise, bullet-point, or even summarize long text.

The downside of Flow:

Paid tool: Free during beta, with freemium and paid models to be introduced later.

Not ideal for technical industry writing: While I would love to say that doctors can benefit from accurate and reliable technical writing, Flow is just not there yet.

Try Flow

Download

Why you should make the switch to Flow

The exact thing you said, in text, just like you wanted it to be (the first time). No more tedious formatting, relentless typos, and ‘ums’ or ‘ahs’ — Flow just get’s it.

Reduce the mental load of typing and work as fast as you think. Stop worrying about the little things and let Flow handle the formatting, spelling, and structure. Simply think it, speak it, and send it.

Flow adapts to your speaking style and matches your tone. Whether it’s a quick message or a detailed document, simply express yourself through speech and Flow will say what you mean.

Flow fits into your existing workflows, enabling faster communication and simplifying repetitive tasks. Use voice input to swiftly respond to messages, create content, and get stuff done faster.