---
title: "What is dictation? Speech to text explained, and how to use it on a Mac"
description: "Dictation means speaking so a computer types your words. How it works today, on-device versus cloud, how dictation differs from transcription and voice control, and how to start on a Mac or iPhone."
url: "https://speechbee.app/guides/what-is-dictation"
---

# What is dictation?

Dictation is talking instead of typing: you speak, and your words appear as text. It used to mean a secretary or expensive software. Now it's built into every Mac and iPhone. Here's how it works, the terms you'll run into, and how to start.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Updated 13 October 2026.

> ### The short version
>
> - **Dictation** turns what you say into text, as you say it.
> - **Transcription** turns a recording into text afterwards.
> - **Voice control** uses your voice to operate the computer.
> - On a Mac, turn on dictation in **System Settings**, **Keyboard**, **Dictation**.

## How dictation works now

A speech recognition model listens to your microphone and turns sound into words. Modern models handle natural speech well, and add punctuation in many languages. The model runs either:

- **On your device**, so audio never leaves it and it works offline; or
- **In the cloud**, where audio is sent to a server, often with AI that also rewrites your words.

Apple Dictation can do either depending on language and settings. Dictation apps choose one approach or let you pick.

## Dictation, transcription and voice control

| | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictation | Your live speech becomes text where you're typing | Apple Dictation, SpeechBee, Wispr Flow |
| Transcription | A recording becomes a transcript | MacWhisper, meeting notetakers |
| Voice control | Your voice operates the computer | Apple Voice Control, Talon |

## What people use dictation for

Emails and messages, first drafts, notes, prompts for AI tools, and typing less when typing is slow or uncomfortable. Speaking is generally faster than typing for most people, and talking keeps you moving instead of editing as you go.

## How to start

- **Mac:** [how to dictate on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/how-to-dictate-on-mac)
- **iPhone:** [how to dictate on iPhone](https://speechbee.app/guides/how-to-dictate-on-iphone)
- **Free options compared:** [free speech to text on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/free-speech-to-text-mac)
- **Apps compared:** [the best dictation apps for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-dictation-app-mac)

## SpeechBee

SpeechBee is the dictation app we make. Hold a key in any Mac app, talk, let go, and your words land at the cursor. Recognition runs on your device; your audio is never uploaded. It has a dictionary for names, snippets, and filler removal in English, German, Spanish and French, and it reads text aloud as well.

## Questions

### What does dictation mean?

Speaking words so they're written down. On a computer or phone, dictation software types what you say.

### Is dictation the same as speech to text?

Yes, in everyday use. Speech to text also covers transcribing recordings.

### Does dictation need the internet?

Not always. On-device dictation works offline. See [offline dictation on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/offline-dictation-mac).

### Is dictation accurate?

Accuracy depends on your voice, microphone, language and vocabulary. A custom dictionary fixes the names and terms general models miss.

## Keep reading

- [Voice typing on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)
- [Apple Dictation vs Whisper apps](https://speechbee.app/compare/apple-dictation-vs-whisper)

## More on dictation

- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)
- [Dictation for clinicians](https://speechbee.app/guides/dictation-for-doctors)
- [Turn off dictation on Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/turn-off-dictation-mac)
- [Voice texts on iPhone](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-text-message-iphone)
- [Dictate notes](https://speechbee.app/guides/dictate-notes-mac)
- [Voice to text in WhatsApp](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-to-text-whatsapp)
- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)

## Sources

Checked on 12 October 2026.

- [Apple: Use Dictation on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac)
- [Apple: Use Voice Control commands on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-voice-control-commands-mh40719/mac)
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)