Blaster Suite which is the team behind Speechelo recently launched Dictelo a speech-to-text upsell for Speechelo users.
While Dictelo offers helpful transcription features, their one-time fee of $67 may be prohibitively expensive compared to other alternative solutions. Many affordable or free tools provide robust functionality like better accuracy, import via a web link, and many more.
Listen Monster is the best dictelo alternative. It is free, unlimited and provides better accuracy.
What’s Dictelo and Who’s It For?
Subtitles make the content more engaging, that’s why are no longer a luxury they are a necessity.
In a recent study, it was found that people use subtitles even in their native language while watching TV.
That’s why there are so many tools that can automatically create transcriptions or subtitles from your content. These types of transcription tools are popular among content creators, podcasts, filmmakers etc.
Dictelo is one of those kind of tool that can transform your audio into words. Dictelo works in 30 languages.
This 30 number includes popular languages such as English with multiple accents (USA, UK etc.). The actual number is less than 30. It supports mp3, mp4, m4a, aac, avi, wav, and mov media files.
Limitations of Dictelo
Other transcription tools provide so many features that Dictelo is missing. Here are a few of them
File Size Limit: In an experiment, one YouTuber tries to transcribe a 57 MB file. However, Dictel displays a File Size Limit error as you can see in the screenshot.
Queue Waiting Time: Dictelo does not instantly transcribe your files. It adds your file to the queue. In short, it waits for the system to transcribe pending files. Once done then it starts working on your file. It simply means more users online and more waiting time.
Here at Listen Monster, we transcribe files instantly, with no waiting in the queue.
Import via Direct Link: Inside the Dictelo you have to upload files from the computer. You can’t paste a YouTube video link or podcast link to transcribe.
Since Dictelo has a file size limit, it means you have to create multiple short clips of your podcast to transcribe it, For video files you have to convert them into audio and then upload them to generate subtitles.
Accuracy could be better: Dictelo relies on AWS Transcribe API technology which can result in some transcription errors. Users may need to allot time for reviewing and correcting mistakes.
We are using Whisper which is the latest speech recognition Program developed by OpenAI (ChatGPT parent company).
No Translation: Translated subtitles help your viewers to understand content that doesn’t understand your language. It helps your content to reach a new audience.
Best Free Dictelo Alternative
ListenMonster is the best alternative to Dictelo. It is Free, unlimited, more accurate and transcribes files instantly.
Here are the advantages of Dictelo
Super Duper Accurate: Since we are using the latest tech that’s why Listen Monster is more accurate than Dictelo
100 File Limit: As shown Dictelo failed to transcribe a 57 MB file. However, Listen Monster can transcribe up to 100 MB of files instantly.
More Languages Options: Listen Monster works in 97 languages. Unlike Dictelo which offers 30 languages including multiple accents of some languages, we offer transcriptions in 97 unique languages.
Translations: You can also get translated subtitles in your desired language. Simply select the desired language and it will provide you with subtitles or simple transcriptions in that specific language
Faster Speed: There is no waiting in the queue. Our system can transcribe multiple files parallelly, so you can save time. Since it is most accurate speech-to-text you don’t need to allot time for reviewing and correcting mistakes.
Other Paid Alternatives
Here are the other alternatives to Dictelo however these are not free.
HappyScribe: More Than Just Transcription
HappyScribe is a transcription service that offers a range of features beyond just converting speech to text. While it does provide your only one transcription for free, it’s worth noting that the process can take some time. So, if you’re in a hurry, this might not be the quickest option.
Backend Technology: One of the standout features of HappyScribe is its backend operations, powered by AWS API. This ensures a stable and reliable service, which is crucial when you’re dealing with important transcriptions. However, it is not very accurate.
Variety of Output Formats: HappyScribe goes the extra mile by offering a variety of output formats for both transcription and subtitles. This flexibility allows you to choose the format that best suits your project, whether it’s for a video, podcast, or presentation.
In-Platform Video Editing: What really sets HappyScribe apart from the competition is its in-platform video editing feature. You can directly add subtitles to your videos within the platform. Moreover, you have the freedom to customize the font, color, and size of the subtitles to match the style of your video.
Paid Plans: For those who require more features, HappyScribe offers a paid plan starting at $17. This plan includes 2 hours of transcription and also provides the option for human transcription services, adding an extra layer of accuracy to your projects.
Veed: More Than Just Transcription
Veed.io started as a cloud-based video editor but has expanded its offerings to include transcription services. While it does offer free transcription, be aware that exporting those transcriptions is a paid feature.
Backend Technology:Veed.io’s transcription service appears to be powered by reliable backend technologies like AWS or Azure APIs. This ensures a stable and dependable service, especially important for professional projects.
Versatility in Features: What sets Veed.io apart is its versatility. It’s not just a transcription tool; it’s a complete video editor. You can record videos directly on the platform and even use pre-made templates to give your videos a professional touch.
Limitations on Free Plan: While the platform initially had no restrictions on its free plan, they’ve since added some limitations. For instance, exporting transcriptions is now a paid feature, and you should also expect a watermark on your results if you’re using the free plan.
Why Choose Veed.io? Veed is an all-in-one solution for video editing and transcription. Its range of features makes it a good fit for those who are looking for more than just a simple transcription service.
Trint: Simple Yet Effective
This website is very similar to the Cockatoo. Trint may not have the flashiest website or the most modern design, but it offers a solid user experience. It provides a 7-day free trial, allowing you to transcribe up to 3 files, although it might take some time to get the job done.
Multiple Upload Options: Trint offers a variety of ways to upload your files. You can upload directly from your computer, use Google Drive, or even record within the platform itself. Got a video link? Trint can handle that too.
Caption Format: When it comes to captions, Trint keeps it straightforward by offering only the SRT format. This makes it easier for users who don’t want to get bogged down with multiple format options.
Pricing: Trint’s paid plans start at $60 per month, which allows you to transcribe up to 7 files. If you need more, their next tier is priced at $75 per month and offers unlimited transcriptions.
Final Words
There are so many audio-to-text tools available in the market that offer so many features or affordable than Dictelo.
We have provided all the pros and cons of Dictelo, and similar websites so you can decide which is best for you. Speech to text industry is on continuous iterations so make sure you decide on the right tool that can offer you updates in future.