Lists make life easier and keep you from forgetting important things. But do you ever feel like just speaking to create lists instead of using a pen? You're in luck!

Modern speech recognition tools are not only faster but also still quite accurate. Google even recently announced that its machine learning voice recognition features are now 95 percent accurate for the English language.

It just goes to show: voice commands are only likely to become more helpful as time goes on. Some apps are ahead of the curve, though. Check out these eight list-making apps with great voice recognition features.

1. Google Keep

Google Keep is a note-taking app launched several years ago that has several cool features. One allows for launching location-based reminders. Set the app to pull up your grocery list as you arrive at the store, for example. Use the voice-recording feature by tapping the microphone icon. Look at the screen for cues about when to speak.

google keep voice commands

You can even share lists with family members and friends. Watch as others check items off, and rest assured they won't forget essentials.

Although Google Keep accepts both voice and text-based notes, you can filter content to find it faster. Search for content by specifying certain desired attributes, including background color of the electronic paper. The app works on smartphones, tablets, and computers. Even better, it syncs content across all devices, too.

Download Google Keep: Android | iOS (Free)

2. Cortana

Think of Cortana as Microsoft's answer to Siri, Apple's personal assistant app.

cortana voice commands

Built into the Windows 10 operating system, Cortana responds to an impressive list of commands. Surprisingly, list-making was not one of the app's initial capabilities. However, it's now an option, and the process is simple.

Begin by speaking the "Create a [list name]" command. You might say "Create a packing list" while getting ready to go out of town. Build your list by uttering the command "Add [item name] to my [list name] list." Review a list you've made by saying "Show my [list name] list." Remove items as needed by checking them off the list. If you don't have a Windows computer, try the Android and iOS apps.

Note that Cortana currently integrates with Wunderlist, though Microsoft will soon replace Wunderlist with its own To-Do app.

Download Cortana: Windows | Android | iOS (Free)

3. Wunderlist [No Longer Available]

This award-winning app takes productivity to a new level. Depend on reminders to never miss important engagements again or ensure you buy bread while shopping.

wunderlist voice commands

Google Now makes Wunderlist's voice-enabled list-making abilities possible. Just say "Ok, Google, make a note." A text version of your spoken words then goes to your Wunderlist inbox for easy retrieval. Like Google Keep, Wunderlist offers shareable lists via Wunderlist Pro. Collaborate seamlessly while compiling lists for holiday dinners, vacations with friends or other group activities.

It also works on all platforms and devices and syncs content between whatever you use. Add items to a list on your smartphone, and refer back to it on a laptop.

Download Wunderlist: [No Longer Available]

4. Evernote

Arguably one of the most popular note-taking apps, Evernote stores your content in the cloud.

evernote voice commandss

Conveniently, it offers text-to-speech recognition that's ideal for arranging items in a list format. However, Evernote doesn't natively feature a voice recorder. That means you'll need to set up voice-related prompts on your device or within an operating system.

Once you're ready to go, activate the voice technology in a few seconds: on a Windows-based device, say "Start listening." On an iPad, iPhone, or portable Android gadget, look for the microphone icon and tap it.

Download Evernote: Windows | Android | iOS (Free)

5. Reminders

This built-in iOS app works with Siri. Launch Reminders by tapping the app's icon.

reminders voice commands

Once the interface loads, tap the plus sign to the right of the search bar. Next, select the "List" option, input a title and choose "Done." Put items on your list by saying "Hey, Siri" or pressing and holding your device's Home button. Either of those commands prepares your device for speech recognition.

Efficiently delete something from your list with the "Remove" option. You can also share lists with others in iCloud. Like some of the other apps here, Reminders generates shared documents. They update in real time for all authorized viewers to see.

Download Reminders: iOS (Free)

6. Alexa

Amazon invented Alexa to assert itself as another worthy provider of personal assistant technology. Since the app's introduction, people have started taking care of hundreds of tasks just by speaking. Need to order an Uber or want to play a favorite song? Alexa can do those things and many others.

As you might imagine, Alexa also converts your spoken words into lists. Even better, you can sync those lists with the forthcoming apps mentioned here.

alexa voice commands

Make a to-do list by commanding "Alexa, make a new to-do." Any words that follow get added as line items. Also, say "Alexa, add [task name] to my to-do list." Creating shopping lists is also possible. In that case, you'd state something like "Alexa, add cookies to my shopping list."

Even if you aren't specific, Alexa is usually smart enough to fill in missing information. For example, you could just say "add" followed by "make a dentist appointment." Alexa would understand that task belongs on the to-do list and not the shopping list.

Download Alexa: Android | iOS (Free)

Buy: One of Amazon's Alexa-Compatible Devices ($40 to $230)

7. Any.do

Depended on by over 15 million users, Any.do helps you get things done faster and more smoothly. Access its content in your web browser, via iOS and Android platforms, and even on a Chromebook. Any.do is a multidimensional app that compiles lists, tasks, reminders and more, all in one place.

anydo voice commands

Add a voice-generated to-do list entry by tapping the plus sign. Then find the "Task" icon that looks like an envelope. Finally, press your finger on the microphone icon and start speaking. Tap the blue checkmark after saying everything necessary.

If using an iPad, press and hold the "Home" button while you talk.

Download Any.do: Web | Android | iOS (Free, $2/mo Premium)

8. Todoist

Todoist is a life organization app compatible with over ten platforms. It boasts a distraction-free interface and claims to offer more services than comparable apps. Manage your tasks and collaborate with others during projects. Like similar products, it saves your stuff in the cloud.

todoist voice commands

Automatically linked to Google Now, Todoist responds to the phrases "Take a note" and "Note to self." Preface them with "Okay, Google."

Want to use Siri with Todoist? For now, there is only limited iOS device compatibility for the free version of Todoist. The two only work together if you sign up for a specific third-party service. It's called IFTTT (If This Then That). Sign up for IFTTT and obtain the associated Todoist applet. When the applet runs, a Todoist task gets created whenever you designate a responsibility in Reminders.

Besides the free version, there are Premium and Business options: $28.99 per user or $28.99 per team member, respectively, and both are billed annually.

Download Todoist: Windows | Android | iOS (Free, $29/yr Premium)

What's the Next List You'll Make?

Even if you aren't typically a list fanatic, these feature-filled apps might change your mind. As if list-making apps weren't convenient enough, making lists with just your voice is about as simple as organizing your tasks can get!

What do you need to get done in the next week? Try some of these apps out now!

Image Credit: Syda_Productions/Depositphotos