Voice dictation for arthritis
If typing hurts your hands, dictation lets you do most writing by speaking. DictaFlow is a hold-to-talk app that types into any program, so email, documents and chat all become voice-first.
Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android. Free plan: 2,000 cloud words per 30-day cycle. Pro: $9/month or $84/year.
How to set it up
- Choose a comfortable trigger. Set your DictaFlow shortcut to something easy on your hands. You can use a keyboard shortcut, a mouse side button, or a USB foot pedal mapped to the shortcut.
- Speak in short paragraphs. Hold, speak a sentence or two, release. Short bursts are less tiring for your voice and easier to proofread.
- Fix with minimal typing. Use correction while speaking for mistakes, and reserve the keyboard for brief edits.
- Add your words. Custom vocabulary reduces the retyping caused by names and specialist terms.
Tips
- A foot pedal removes the need to hold a key down. DictaFlow sells a USB pedal for $34 plus $5.99 shipping.
- Take breaks. Dictation reduces typing strain but it is not a treatment.
- Talk to your clinician or occupational therapist about ergonomics; this page is not medical advice.
What DictaFlow does not do
Hold-to-talk means holding a key or pedal while you speak. If holding a key is difficult, map it to a pedal or mouse button. DictaFlow is not a medical device and does not treat arthritis.
How DictaFlow works
DictaFlow is hold-to-talk dictation: hold a shortcut, speak, release, and the text is inserted into the active app at your cursor. It includes custom vocabulary, correction while speaking, and a Typing Mode that enters text as keystrokes for Citrix, RDP and fields where pasting is blocked. Standard dictation uses cloud processing; Pro adds Local Offline dictation on supported devices. See the full product facts and privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can dictation help with arthritis in the hands?
Many people use voice input to reduce keyboard use. DictaFlow can cut down how much you type, but it is not medical advice or a treatment. Ask your clinician about your situation.
Do I have to hold a key down?
DictaFlow is hold-to-talk. If that is uncomfortable, you can map the hotkey to a foot pedal or a mouse button.
Is there a free version?
Yes: 2,000 cloud words per 30-day cycle. Pro is $9/month or $84/year.
Does it work on phone and tablet?
DictaFlow has native iPhone, iPad and Android apps.
Related
- Dictation for carpal tunnel and RSI
- DictaFlow foot pedal
- Accessibility statement
- Dictation software comparison
Published by DictaFlow. Features and pricing checked October 28, 2026 against dictaflow.io/facts.html. Not medical or legal advice.