Comparison Test
FlowType vs Google Docs Dictation: 2025 Accuracy & Speed Test
We often hear from creators who started with Google Docs voice typing but now need a faster, privacy-friendly dictation experience that works everywhere. We ran a lab test of 3,000 spoken words to compare Google Docs Dictation and FlowType across accuracy, punctuation, latency, keyboard control, and multilingual output.
Testing environment
- Chrome 129 on Windows 11 with a Blue Yeti microphone.
- Three scripts: customer support replies, technical blog copy, and bilingual (English/French) notes.
- Background café noise at 55 dB for realism.
| Metric | FlowType | Google Docs Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Word accuracy | 96.4% | 92.1% |
| Punctuation accuracy | 93% | 74% |
| Average latency | 280 ms | 560 ms |
| Keyboard shortcut to toggle mic | Ctrl + Shift + Space anywhere | Must stay inside Google Docs |
| Languages covered | 50+ with auto detection | 13 (Doc dependent) |
| Data handling | Processed locally then discarded | Stored in Google account history |
Why FlowType pulled ahead
- Every text field becomes a dictation box. FlowType works in Zendesk, Notion, LinkedIn, Gmail, or any SaaS input thanks to our content script overlay.
- Better punctuation classifiers. We trained custom models for support macros and technical prose, which explains the dramatic jump in commas and sentence endings.
- Privacy-first architecture. Microphone sessions happen in the extension sandbox which clears transcripts after delivery; nothing is synced to the cloud.
Where Google Docs Dictation still wins
If you write exclusively inside Google Docs and rely on Google Workspace sharing, the native dictation tool remains acceptable. The formatting commands (“new paragraph”, “bold”) integrate tightly with Docs, so heavy formatting can be faster there. FlowType focuses on open text areas and does not try to manipulate document styles.
“FlowType gave our support pod a 28% faster handle time because we can dictate directly in Zendesk macros without copy/paste.” — Lead CX Manager, Series B SaaS
Recommendation
Choose FlowType if you need voice typing that follows you across the browser, supports multiple languages, or must meet privacy requirements. Stay with Google Docs Dictation if you live inside Docs and do not mind Google storing your audio.
Want the raw CSV and methodology? Download the benchmark notes in our lab write-up.