# Express Dictate Dictation App

> iPhone voice recorder for dictation with editing and automatic file transfer. (iPhone/iPad app by NCH Software.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/express-dictate-dictation-app/id349888534 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [NCH Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/349888537)
- Category: Business, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 121 App Store ratings · 98 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-01-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/express-dictate-dictation-app/id349888534/reviews.md

## What is Express Dictate Dictation App?

Express Dictate is a voice recorder for iPhone. You dictate directly on your device using the controls. When done, tap send and the dictation will be compressed and sent to your typist by email automatically.

For ease of use, operation of the record and playback features is designed to closely mimic that of old style dictation recorders. You can also playback, rewind, insert or overwrite as required using the keys on the front.

This dictation voice recorder is designed to have all the features you need as easy to use as possible and reliable for day-to-day operation. By installing Express Dictate you will quickly find it will replace your old dictaphone, and by using the internet to send dictations, will also improve the turnaround on typing.

Express Dictate Free Features:
* Record and playback dictation using the controls on the device.
* Editing, inserting and overwriting. You can select between record overwrite, record insert and record end modes.
* Optional voice activated recording. When selected Express Dictate only records while you are speaking.
* Automatic compression of audio files to reduce upload times and storage requirements.
* Sends recording in compressed wave (wav) or dictation (dct) file formats.
* Files can be sent via FTP, email, and iTunes.

All files sent by Express Dictate can be transcribed by the free foot pedal controlled transcriber software Express Scribe Transcription Player Software.

*Please backup ALL dictations before upgrading from a previous version*

## Key features

- Voice recording and playback
- Editing, inserting, and overwriting
- Voice activated recording
- Automatic audio compression
- Send recordings via email, FTP, or iTunes
- Supports WAV and DCT file formats

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ExpressDictate Professional | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Dictation | $4.99 | one-time |
| Voice Activated Recording | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Current Features | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Express Dictate Dictation App?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy and intuitive to use
- 🚀 Fast and efficient dictation recording
- 👍 Great for professional use
- 👍 Simple and reliable
- 👍 Good sound quality
- 👍 Small file sizes
- 👍 Easy email transfer
- 👍 Good for long dictations
- 👍 Overwrite and insert editing
- 👍 Voice activation feature
- 👍 Free to use (historically)
- 👍 Works well with Express Scribe

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Freezes and skips
- 🐛 Stops recording unexpectedly
- 🐛 Volume too low on recordings
- 🐛 Not compatible with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Files arrive in unreadable format
- 🐛 Lost recordings after updates/iOS upgrades
- 🐛 Intrusive ads and nag screens
- 🐛 Expensive in-app purchases/updates
- 🐛 Poor user interface
- 🐛 Lacks essential features like pause
- 🐛 Unreliable email sending
- 🐛 No support for background recording
- 🐛 Voice activation reverts to full record
- 🐛 Unusable after iOS 7 update
- 🐛 Files not opening on recipient's end
- 🐛 Dictation incomplete/jittery on iOS 7
- 🐛 Long dictations get stuck/lost
- 🐛 No undo button for deletions
- 🐛 Files lost without warning on update
- 🐛 Auto-incrementing file names missing
- 🐛 File naming issues
- 🐛 Poor quality WAV files for transcription
- 🐛 Doesn't work with Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- 🐛 No Dropbox integration
- 🐛 Expensive compared to alternatives
- 🐛 No clear instructions for file transfer
- 🐛 Keyboard not usable in landscape
- 🐛 No mark and delete unwanted bits
- 🐛 No bookmarks
- 🐛 No ability to mark and save sections
- 🐛 No ability to shuffle and assemble clips
- 🐛 Voice activation never stops

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Doesn't record anything
- Control buttons not responsive
- Volume on recordings too low when sent via email
- Crashing just after loading
- Freezes, skips, and scrambles
- Stops recording unexpectedly at 10 minutes
- Lost all functions after update (voice activation, unlimited recording)
- Not compatible with iOS 11
- Crashing after recent update
- Deleted all recordings after update
- Nag screen pops up every time record button is pressed
- Beginnings of dictations cut off
- File naming issues (no auto-increment)
- Crashing when trying to email dictation
- Sound is jittery and dictation is incomplete on iOS 7
- Dictation/email not going through, resend feature not working
- Pressing record button does not start recording after iOS update
- Files arrive as .dat and won't open
- Encrypted file cannot be opened with Express Scribe
- Voice activation feature never shuts off
- Record indicator in 100ths of a second
- Playback ball and stick slider doesn't change counters
- Voice activated recording only works first time

**Most requested features**

- Ability to change default 'send from' address
- Dropbox integration
- Auto-incrementing file names
- Ability to use volume buttons as pause/rewind
- Auto-finish for contact names in emails
- Background recording
- MP3 export option
- Mark and delete unwanted bits
- Macros for common phrases/templates
- Scrolling real-time waveform
- Voice activated recording to avoid silences
- Bookmarks for recordings
- Ability to mark and save sections
- Ability to shuffle and assemble clips

## Recent user reviews (10 of 98)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/express-dictate-dictation-app/id349888534/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Besser geht es nicht

*2024-07-04, version 7.04*

Ich mache seit vielen Jahren medizinische Gutachten und bin immer wieder begeistert. Es ist die einzige Software, die man problemlos mit dem Smartphone bedienen kann und bei der man dann in Sekunden schneller auch die erstellte Datei weiterleiten kann. So etwas problemloses und unkompliziertes hat es eine Medizin noch nie gegeben. Und das Beste, man hat es überall dabei und muss nicht erst seinDiktiergerät suchen oder eventuell auch schon wieder Batterien fürs Diktiergerät. Vielen vielen Dank für die perfekte Lösung

### 3/5 — Impossibilité d’envoyer les enregistrements par e-mail

*2023-09-27*

Je n’arrive pas à envoyer mes enregistrements par e-mail ! Y’a t’il des manipulations à faire?

### 1/5 — Hängt sich ständig auf

*2023-09-22*

Umsonst bezahlt für ständiges Aufhängen an den Funktionen und kein Weiterkommen - sowas braucht man wirklich nicht und rausgeworfenes Geld ! Sehr ärgerlich !

### 5/5 — Useful app

*2023-07-12*

I use this app regularly to dictate letters and email to my own typist. 
Only issue is that there doesn’t seem to be a way to change the default “send from” address the app. It sends from my default iPhone email address and I’d prefer to set it up to send from a different email address.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t record!!!

*2023-06-26*

Very disappointed!!
The app seems useless in iPhone 8.
I creates “dictations” but doesn’t record anything and the control buttons are not responsive at all. 
I paid $2.99 to remove the ads.
Still doesn’t work.
I want my money back!!!!
Totally useless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Developer response:** Hi there, We are sorry to hear you had a bad experience using our app. We will pass this along t o our developer. In the meantime, please feel free to contact our support team here for the refund request: https://www.nch.com.au/support/index.html. We appreciate your feedback. –NCH Software

### 5/5 — Easy

*2022-05-19*

Very easy and intuitive

**Developer response:** Hi Dhanwantri, We are so glad that you are enjoying our app. We love getting feedback from our users. Thanks -NCH Software Team

### 5/5 — Well done express dictate

*2022-03-17*

I use this service several times a week
. I have had nothing but professional service courtesy and help from this business . I recommend it to all my professional colleague and businesses for whom I act
Paul Tocchini 
Medcalf Grant
Lawyers

**Developer response:** Hi Paul, We are so glad that you are enjoying our app. We love getting feedback from our users. Thanks -NCH Software Team

### 3/5 — Volume on recordings too low

*2022-03-09*

The app seems to work ok - sounds fine playing back recordings on iphone, but if sending via email on wav or ECT formats the volume is barely audible

### 5/5 — NCH!

*2021-01-02*

Great and fast Dictation recorder. It gets you voice recording out fast!

### 5/5 — A great App

*2020-06-24*

This works very well. Easy to set up and use.

## Frequently asked questions about Express Dictate Dictation App

### What does Express Dictate do?

Express Dictate is a voice recorder app for iPhone that allows you to record dictations, edit them using familiar controls, and automatically send the compressed audio files to your typist via email or FTP. It aims to replace traditional dictaphones with a digital solution for faster transcription turnaround.

### What are the key features of Express Dictate?

Key features include recording and playback with intuitive controls, editing capabilities like inserting and overwriting, optional voice-activated recording, automatic audio compression to reduce file size, and the ability to send recordings in WAV or DCT formats via email, FTP, or iTunes.

### Is Express Dictate free to use?

The app offers free features for recording, editing, and sending dictations. However, it also has in-app purchases, suggesting that some advanced functionalities or features might require payment.

### What file formats does the app support for sending dictations?

The app supports sending recordings in compressed wave (wav) or dictation (dct) file formats. These formats are designed to reduce upload times and storage requirements, making them efficient for sending to typists.

### Who would benefit from using this dictation app?

This app is ideal for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, or business executives who frequently dictate notes, reports, or memos and need a quick and efficient way to send them for transcription. It's also useful for anyone who prefers voice input over typing for longer texts.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.04 — 2018-08-15

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

*Minor bug fixes

### 7.02 — 2018-07-09

Updated UI 
Higher quality recording
Minor bug fixes

### 5.94 — 2016-06-23

Fixed: Dictation Display issues
Fixed: Freeze/Crash issues
Fixed: E-mail issues
Fixed: Help Documentation

### 5.92 — 2016-02-02

Fixed: Freeze/Crash issues
Fixed: Recording skipping
Fixed: E-mail issues

### 5.89 — 2015-11-24

* User Interface optimized for iOS 9
* E-mail bug fixed

## Apps similar to Express Dictate Dictation App

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| [Recorder Plus: Voice Recorder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recorder-plus-voice-recorder/id884644433) | 4.4 (12,267) | Free | Business |
| [WebShuttle Dictate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/webshuttle-dictate/id1436609977) | 3.3 (7) | Free | Business |
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| [Dictaphone Voice Recorder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictaphone-voice-recorder/id834938465) | 4.5 (193) | Free | Business |

## More apps by NCH Software

- [RecordPad Sound Recorder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recordpad-sound-recorder/id361034117)
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- [Express Invoice Invoicing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/express-invoice-invoicing/id590452894)

All apps by NCH Software: https://appshunter.io/developer/349888537

## Related topics

[express dictate dictation app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/express-dictate-dictation-app)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*