Side Whisper vs Windowsvoice typing: what is different?
If you dictate now and then, Windows has voice typing, which needs the internet, and Voice access, which works offline once its language files are downloaded.
If you want to pick the speech model, keep a dictionary of names or use your own provider’s key, the rows below show what Side Whisper adds.
Side Whisper and Windows voice typing, row by row.
Voice typing and Voice access are part of Windows. Side Whisper’s dictation is one part of a Windows sidebar app, so this page compares the dictation.
| Feature | Side Whisper | Voice typing (Windows key + H) | Voice access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows versions | Windows 10 (1809 or later) and Windows 11, 64-bit | Windows 11 and Windows 10 | Windows 11, 22H2 and later |
| Offline dictation | Yes: the speech models run on your PC after a download; four on Free, seven on Pro | No: it needs an internet connection | Yes, after the first setup downloads its language files |
| Where speech becomes text | On your PC, with Whisper, Moonshine or NVIDIA Parakeet models; with Pro, your own provider if you choose one | Online, through Azure Speech services | On the device |
| What it does with your words | Pastes what you say where you were typing, or copies the text | Types what you say into the text box where the cursor is | Controls the PC by voice, and dictates |
Verified on 23 October 2026 on Microsoft’s support pages: Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC (opens in a new tab) and Set up voice access (opens in a new tab).
Found a mistake? Email support@sidewhisper.app.
Where Windows wins
- Part of Windows: voice typing on Windows 10 and 11, Voice access on Windows 11 22H2 and later.
- Voice access also controls the PC by voice, not just dictation.
- On Copilot+ PCs in English locales, voice typing’s fluid dictation corrects grammar, punctuation and filler words with small language models on the device.
Where Side Whisper is different
- Seven speech models on your PC, by size and language: four on Free, three more on Pro.
- Translate to English as you speak, with Tiny (Auto), Small or Large.
- A Dictionary for names and Snippets for longer saved text.
- With Pro, your own provider and API key, and Clean up the text.
- Alt+A by default, or a shortcut you set in Settings.
Try it beside your work.Free to start.
Side Whisper Free has no time limit and needs no account.