20 Best Speech Recognition Software in 2021

What Is Speech Recognition Software?

Speech recognition software, also referred to as voice recognition software, allows computers to understand human speech and convert it to text. Speech recognition software can also be used as power personal virtual assistants, allowing users to issue voice commands that lead to the execution of certain activities. Interactive voice response (IVR) systems use speech recognition software to route incoming calls to the correct department depending on the consumers’ voice instructions.

How Does Speech Recognition Software Work?

Voice recognition software ensures that an individual user's voice is recognized and identified. By studying the patterns and sequences of a person's voice, voice recognition technology is able to verify the speaker and so identify the unique person. This method ensures security because all inputs will be authorized entirely by the specific user’s voice and not by anybody else.

• Speech recognition software breaks down a speech recording into separate sounds.
• Then the program analyzes each of these sounds.
• Now, it uses algorithms to determine the most likely words that fit in those sounds.
• Eventually, the speech recognition system transcribes those sounds into text.

In many cases, NLP (natural language processing) and deep learning neural networks are used to enhance speech recognition. NLP is a technique for computers to analyze and derive meaning from human language in a clever way.

Analog audio must be converted into digital signals by voice recognition software. This process is known as analog-to-digital conversion. The device needs to have a digital library of vocabulary, words, or syllables, which shall enable it to compare this data and decode the right signal.

The terms "speech recognition" and "voice recognition" are not interchangeable. Only spoken words are recognized by speech recognition, which focuses on verbal to text translation. On the other hand, voice recognition software recognizes the voice of the speaker.

Why Use Speech Recognition Software?

Speech recognition software is used by every virtual assistant embedded into a smartphone to listen to a user's voice commands. Customers dialing into a helpline are frequently greeted by chatbot software that uses voice recognition to direct them to the appropriate employee or department. But that’s not it.

Here are the many other uses of speech recognition software:

• Streamlined transcription: Regardless of the profession or industry, manually collecting and transcribing voice material is extremely exhausting. Voice recognition software is used by experts across different disciplines to quickly transcribe everything from emails, texts, and other written form of content.
• Translation: Some speech recognition software can translate spoken words into another language. The majority of these programs will generate a written document of the translation, while some can also generate an audible translation. Text translation is usually easier than trying to translate spoken words in real-time or from a recording. Speech recognition software can generate a text document in one language, which can subsequently be translated with the help of other resources.
• Accessibility: Speech recognition software is a crucial component of accessibility initiatives. Closed-captioning services for the deaf and hard of hearing use voice recognition software. Voice recognition technology can also help people who have language issues or who need writing support.
• Voice for Online Banking: Voice and speech recognition technology was adopted by banks and FinTech businesses a long time ago. Customers of large payment companies further get the option of employing voice assistants to handle transfers and payments.
• Medical transcriptions: For decades, the healthcare industry has been searching for a suitable speech transcription option. Since the early 1980s, speech-to-text software has been a hot topic in the healthcare industry. Medical transcription has become an essential element of any doctor's visit, as it greatly simplifies the storage, organizing, and retrieval of data in patients' medical records. This is where speech recognition devices come into play.
• Working environment: In workplaces, speech recognition technology has evolved to conduct not only simple tasks but also activities that only humans could have done previously.

Who Uses Speech Recognition Software?

Here are the various industries that use speech recognition system software:

• Healthcare: Voice recognition software is widely used in hospitals and clinics to quickly collect patient information and generate clinical documentation. Medical transcription using voice recognition software can help hospitals save a lot of time and money when it comes to record-keeping. Transcription solutions that are specifically designed for the healthcare industry take certain compliances into account, which are generally not required in any ordinary voice recognition systems.
• Legal: For executing the rigorous bookkeeping and data entry that comes with maintaining a legal practice, many law firms use a speech recognition application. Other activities like task management and client communication can also be aided by these technologies. In the courtroom, voice recognition and transcription are occasionally employed to record judicial proceedings. In both circumstances, speech to text software proves to be a game changer.
• Customer service: The capacity to recognize voices is a prominent feature in many chatbots. When a consumer contacts a customer service number, the call normally starts with customer interacting with a chatbot. The voice recognition software helps narrow down customer’s problem and directs them to the appropriate department. The responses to suggested questions are collected and processed using voice recognition software.
• For visually impaired: Voice recognition technology is being used in speech recognition software for people with certain impairments. Much of the closed captioning for television and video media is powered by speech recognition software. Those who have limited use of their hands can also utilize voice recognition software to transcribe their thoughts.

How Does Speech Recognition Software Help with Call Tracking?

Call tracking software transcribes the audio of telephone conversations by decoding the words spoken between the agent and the customer. Certain software programs use transcriptions to automatically mark calls as leads or not leads. Such technology also tags calls based on keywords said by the agent or the customer. This entire process is a part of Conversation Intelligence.

Different Variables in Speech Recognition Software

When it comes to speech recognition, while the transcription may not be perfect (some words may be misspelled), the user understands the general meaning of speech chunk that has been transcribed. That means the text isn't merely a jumble of words, but rather a coherent concept deduced from it.

There are other deviations that should be considered. Not every person’s accent is identical. Such accent fluctuations might lead the speech recognition software to get certain portions of conversations wrong. Variables such as how a speaker pronounces, mumbling, pace of the speech, as well as fluctuations in voice volume can challenge speech recognition technology.

The majority of voice recognition technologies these days are compatible with machine learning platforms. Consequently, as a user continues to use the technology, the software continuously learns and adjusts to that person's speech patterns and variations. The advancement in technology is likely to minimize the chances of errors that the current types of speech recognition devices are likely to commit.

Benefits of Speech recognition Software

Here are the most common benefits of speech recognition software programs:

• Faster documentation: Dictation is three times faster than typing. Instead of taking notes, speech recognition software allows users to concentrate on more vital duties.
• Effortless note-taking: As voice recognition algorithms improve to near-human levels of accuracy, note-taking issues have started fading away. These days, users are turning to speech recognition tools to increase the accuracy of their note-taking and documenting procedures.
• Enabling hands-free technology: Speech recognition software programs are extremely helpful during activities like driving. You can simply dictate and the software would transcribe your instructions.
• Saves the typing time: More products and gadgets are now being supported by speech recognition technology to make life easier, as voice inputs are significantly more efficient than typing.
• Enhanced productivity: When it comes to the office, speech recognition can provide support and aid with task management chores such as setting up conference calls, scheduling meetings, and setting up reminders. Companies can use this method to streamline the process for everyone, resulting in increased production and efficiency.
• Get accurate information in seconds: With the advancement of speech recognition, it is now feasible to obtain relevant information in response to a voice command or request data for any specific project. All of these tasks may now be completed in less time than they would take if done manually.
• Multiple Users Can Be Reached at Once: Gone are the days when a customer service representative could only chat with one individual at a time. Today, voice AI allows them to reach multiple consumers at once. Businesses may increase the number of consumers they serve and deal with any queries or issues more efficiently with this technology.

Must-Have Features of Speech Recognition Software

Before choosing your speech recognition software, make sure that it has the following features:

• Audio Capture: Be sure that you can use the speech recognition system to record audio or import/upload audio files.
• Transcription: A speech recognition software program should help you to transcribe voice messages and audio files using automatic transcription.
• Multiple languages/dialects support: A competent voice to text software should be able to recognize and support a variety of languages/dialects.
• Speech-to-text capabilities: The software must be able to analyze, monitor, and correct the speech for transcriptions or recordings using speech-to-text analysis.
• Text editor: Most speech recognition system allows users to go over the transcribed text and make any necessary changes, like fixing typos.

How to Find the Best Speech Recognition Software

Here are a handful of factors to consider before choosing the best speech recognition software:

• Development options: Make sure that you have a clear vision of what you want; a custom or packaged speech recognition system. Custom-made software programs help you achieve your specific organization objective, while packaged software offers standard specifications. Ensure choosing a program that will benefit your organization.
• Proven expertise: There are several speech recognition software vendors across the globe, with each of them bringing innovative products to the market every other day. It’s important to choose one that has a proven reputation in the industry. Always choose an expert to keep your operations secured and accurate.
• Flexibility: Companies that engage in customer service should aim to continue evolving the way they interact with customers. Always choose voice recognition software that allows you to bring customization and efficiency to your customer interaction process.
• Control and security: The software of your choice should offer you total control of your central speech system. Also, it must guarantee the ultimate security of your speech data.
• Deployment: Many organizations might not have the adequate facilities or infrastructure to internally host a speech system. In that case, you might want to opt for a speech recognition system that allows a remote hosting solution.
• User Interface: It’s crucial to have a user-friendly and compelling interface. The simpler and more elegant the speech recognition software’s interface is, the more efficiently you can cater to the needs of your customers. Always opt for a system that offers a seamless self-service option for your callers.