Considering Letterly as your next voice dictation app?
I’ve been using the app daily since February 2025.
Here’s my honest review.
Why Use Voice Dictation?
Voice dictation is an incredible tool for writers and one of the best ways to increase your content output this year without having to increase the time you spend sitting in front of a keyboard.
I’ve been voice dictating my content for years.
The problem with traditional voice dictation
Have you ever tried using the built-in “voice dictation” on your devices?
Looks great on paper, but works like crap.
It gets every 3rd word wrong.
Sometimes the transcript’s so garbage, I had no idea what I was trying to say.
And the experience is even worse when you’re not in a quiet room. Try dictating while walking outside or driving, and you’ll end up with complete nonsense.
Then there’s the editing nightmare. Once you’ve dictated something, you still need to:
- Fix all the transcription errors
- Clean up the filler words (“um”, “uh”, “like”)
- Format the text properly
- Copy and paste it into your actual writing tool
The whole process ends up taking longer than if you’d just typed it out in the first place.
That’s why most people try voice dictation once, get frustrated, and never touch it again.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
What makes Letterly (and other AI voice transcription apps) different from any other voice typing software for bloggers out there is its built-in editing capabilities.
Unlike platforms like:
- Apple’s Voice Control
- Google’s Voice Typing
- Microsoft’s Voice Recognition
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
Letterly also added offline recording and screen-off recording – so as I’m writing this, it seems they’re committed to creating the ultimate talk-to-write app experience.
What is Letterly and how does it work?
Letterly is a voice dictation app for content creators that transforms your spoken words into written text.
It has native apps for:
- iOS
- Mac
- Web
- Android
It’s like if Siri and a professional editor had a baby.
Your voice gets instantly transcribed into text.
You can dictate anything from notes, short ideas, full emails, or entire blog posts. (More on that later.)
What’s the difference with regular voice dictation?
Why use voice dictation as a content creator? (vs. typing)
Typing on a keyboard is still the most common way to write.
When you’re just getting started, I recommend sticking with what works. But if you’re serious about scaling your content production, voice dictation is a must-have tool in your arsenal.
The math is simple:
The average typing speed is 30 words per minute.
So if you want to write a 1,200-word article, that’s roughly 40 minutes of typing. (Not counting the editing, etc.)
But did you know that the average speaking rate in English is 150 words per minute?
That slams down the 1,200-word article to just 8 minutes.
275% faster.
So if you want to create more content without spending more time, voice dictation is your answer.
But typing vs. speaking isn’t just about speed – it’s also about creativity.
I get my best ideas when I’m far away from my keyboard:
- On daily walks
- While driving
- When doing mundane tasks
- Before taking a nap
And I bet you’re the same.
There’s something about stepping away from the desk that unleashes your creativity. Voice dictation lets you capture those insights the moment they strike.
The key features that make Letterly stand out
After trying nearly every hands-free writing app on the market, here’s why I settled on Letterly:
- Lightning-fast transcription – Your spoken words appear as text within seconds, not minutes. This instant feedback helps maintain your flow.
- Built-in AI editing – With 25+ ways to rewrite and polish your text without leaving the app, you don’t have to copy-paste into ChatGPT or waste time doing manual edits.
- Home screen widget – One-tap recording means you can capture ideas in seconds without opening the full app.
- Offline mode – You can dictate even without internet access, and it’ll sync when you’re back online.
- Screen-off recording – You can talk while your phone is in your pocket, perfect for walks or commutes.
- Multiple language support – It recognizes 90+ languages automatically, great if you create content in different languages.
- Clean, minimalist interface – No clutter, just the features you need as a writer.
My personal experience with Letterly
I had back surgery in 2014.
Since then, I can’t sit for more than 2 hours straight without pain. But I still need to create content consistently for my audience.
Voice dictation became my savior.
I started with the default voice typing options on my devices, but they got every third word wrong. Sometimes the transcript was so garbage, I had no idea what I was trying to say.
Then I moved to Otter, which was better but clunky. I had to copy the text, paste it into ChatGPT to get a polished version, and then import it into my text editor.
But then, I stumbled across Letterly. It’s like Otter, but 100 times better.
It transcribes in five seconds and allows me to polish right within the app. Then, I export my draft into my text editor.
Here’s what the home screen looks on Web:
That’s it. No more friction.
How I integrate Letterly into my content workflow
Here’s my exact process for using this voice-to-text app for long-form writing:
- I go on daily walks and let my mind wander
- As soon as I have an idea, I press the quick record button on the Letterly widget
- I speak my thoughts naturally, not worrying about structure
- When finished, I tap to polish the text right in the app
- I export the draft to my preferred editor
- I do a final edit when back at my desk
This workflow is why I’ve never missed a day of my daily emails for years. I always have a first draft ready to go.
Every email you get from me starts as a voice note. Many of my blog posts begin the same way.
How Letterly compares to other voice dictation options
If you’ve tried other voice dictation tools, here’s how Letterly stacks up:
Default voice typing (Siri, Google, etc.):
- ❌ High error rate
- ❌ No editing features
- ❌ Limited formatting options
Otter:
- ✅ Decent transcription
- ❌ Slow and clunky interface
- ❌ Requires external editing
Dragon Naturally Speaking:
- ✅ Good accuracy
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Complex setup
Letterly:
- ✅ Superior accuracy
- ✅ Built-in AI editing
- ✅ Quick capture widget
- ✅ Offline capability
- ✅ Clean, intuitive interface
The difference is night and day. Letterly is designed specifically for writers and content creators who need to capture ideas quickly and transform them into usable drafts.
Who is Letterly perfect for?
Letterly is the best voice dictation app for writers who:
- Want to create more content without spending more time
- Get their best ideas away from the keyboard
- Have physical limitations that make extended typing difficult
- Need to capture ideas on the go
- Want a simple, friction-free writing process
It’s especially valuable if you create daily content like emails, blog posts, articles, or social media updates.
The app shines for content creators who understand that the hardest part of writing is always the first draft.
Voice dictation makes that first draft easy.
Conclusion: Voice dictation with Letterly Will Make Your Content Workflow easier
I’m autistically obsessed with the tools I use.
If they’re not pleasant to use or not reliable, I kick them out the door.
This is even more true for tools that I use every day – like voice dictation.
Creating content is a creativity game. You can’t just force yourself to come up with good ideas while staring at a blank screen.
A better approach is to play the creativity game on “relax mode”: Harness your ideas and write the content when you’re inspired, wherever you are.
If you’re serious about scaling your content production, voice dictation isn’t optional – it’s essential.
And Letterly is the best talk to write app I’ve found after years of searching.
It has played a significant role in growing my audience and being consistent with my content.
And I think it could help you too.
If you want to get 20% off Letterly, you can use this link (affiliate)