Speech to text
WhisperAPI: review, pricing, data and alternatives
WhisperAPI serves people transcribing audio or video files, including files supplied through URLs. It produces timestamped subtitles, automatically detects the language and offers a choice of transcription model size. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $10 pay as you go. Access and transparency score: 58/100, #10 of 15 in its category.
What is WhisperAPI?
WhisperAPI serves people transcribing audio or video files, including files supplied through URLs. It produces timestamped subtitles, automatically detects the language and offers a choice of transcription model size.
According to its documentation, WhisperAPI lets you:
- transcribe an audio or video file
- process a file supplied through a URL
- produce timestamped subtitles
- choose the transcription model size
- automatically detect the language
We file it under Speech to text, the category of tools to transcribe audio to text, and it also overlaps with subtitles and dubbing and developer tools. The category lists 15 verified tools on this site.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers, video creators, and podcasters. The need it covers is simple to state: transcribe audio to text.
WhisperAPI is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
The best test is a concrete case from your daily work: if the tool does not beat your current method within a week, move on to an alternative.
How much does WhisperAPI cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $10 pay as you go (Pack of 40 credits with no expiration; USD 0.25 per credit), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed in several regions depending on the plan.
Exporting your content: yes (details on the official site). Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
WhisperAPI runs on: web browser and API.
Interface languages: English.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
How we scored it
Our 58/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 20/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 13/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
WhisperAPI against other tools in the speech to text category:
| Tool | Free | Entry price | API | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhisperAPI | Yes | $10 pay as you go | Yes | 58 |
| Whisper | Yes | $0.01 pay as you go | Yes | 95 |
| AssemblyAI | Yes | $0.15 pay as you go | Yes | 78 |
| Rev | Yes | $0.25 pay as you go | Yes | 75 |
| Wispr Flow | Yes | $12 per month | Yes | 73 |
| Vibe | Yes | not published | Yes | 68 |
| Deepgram | Yes | $0 pay as you go | Yes | 65 |
| HappyScribe | Yes | £102 per year | Yes | 65 |
Verdict
WhisperAPI is a decent option; compare its price and terms with the category leaders.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
Alternatives
- Whisperfree tier
- AssemblyAIfree tier
- Revfree tier
- Wispr Flowfree tier
- Vibefree tier
- Deepgramfree tier
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is WhisperAPI free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $10 pay as you go.
Where is WhisperAPI data stored?
According to the publisher, in several regions depending on the plan.
Does WhisperAPI have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to WhisperAPI?
In the same category: Whisper, AssemblyAI, Rev, and Wispr Flow.
WhisperAPI or Whisper: which one to choose?
WhisperAPI starts at $10 pay as you go, Whisper at $0.01 pay as you go and our score is 58/100 for WhisperAPI and 95/100 for Whisper. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score