7 Best AI Transcription Services 2025: Tested and Ranked
Looking for the best AI transcription service in 2025? We tested and ranked 7 leading services based on pricing, speed, features, and real-world performance. Whether you need transcription for meetings, podcasts, interviews, or research, this comprehensive ranking will help you choose the right tool.
TL;DR: BrassTranscripts ranks #1 for overall value, combining professional speaker identification, $0.15/minute transparent pricing, 2-minute processing speed, and no subscription requirements.
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | Service | Best For | Pricing | Processing Speed | Subscription Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | BrassTranscripts | Professional transcription without subscriptions | $0.15/min | 2-3 min per hour | No |
| #2 | Rev.com | Maximum quality (human option) | $1.25/min human, $0.25/min AI | 5-15 min AI, 12-24 hr human | No (pay per file) |
| #3 | Otter.ai | Real-time meeting transcription | $10-30/month | Real-time | Yes |
| #4 | Descript | Video editing + transcription | $19-40/month | 45-60 min | Yes |
| #5 | AssemblyAI | Developer API integration | $0.00025-$0.00065/sec | 8-15 min | No (API pay-per-use) |
| #6 | Deepgram | Real-time streaming API | $0.0043/min | <300ms streaming | No (API pay-per-use) |
| #7 | Google Cloud Speech-to-Text | Enterprise GCP integration | $0.024-$0.096/min | 10-18 min | No (API pay-per-use) |
Quick Navigation
- #1: BrassTranscripts - Best Overall
- #2: Rev.com - Human Transcription Option
- #3: Otter.ai - Real-Time Meetings
- #4: Descript - Video Editing Workflow
- #5: AssemblyAI - Developer API
- #6: Deepgram - Fast Real-Time API
- #7: Google Cloud Speech-to-Text - Enterprise Integration
- How We Ranked These Services
- Which Service Should You Choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions
#1: BrassTranscripts - Best Overall Value 2025
Verdict: BrassTranscripts ranks #1 for combining professional-grade transcription, transparent pricing, and zero subscription requirements—delivering the best overall value for anyone who needs quality transcripts without ongoing fees.
Why BrassTranscripts Ranks #1
Professional speaker identification: Automatic speaker diarization using Pyannote 3.1 (state-of-the-art speaker separation model) clearly separates different speakers in multi-speaker recordings.
Advanced AI technology: Uses WhisperX large-v3 model, the most advanced speech recognition system available, consistently delivering professional-grade results across diverse audio conditions.
Blazing fast processing: 2-3 minutes to process 60 minutes of audio (20-30x faster than Otter's 30-60 minutes, Rev's 5-15 minutes, or Descript's 45-60 minutes).
No subscription trap: Pay only when you transcribe—$2.25 flat rate for files 1-15 minutes, $0.15/minute for longer files. No monthly fees, no expiring credits, no pressure to transcribe regularly to justify subscription costs.
Transparent pricing: See exact costs before payment based on detected audio duration, not estimates. No hidden fees, no premium tiers, no feature gating.
99+ languages with auto-detection: Upload audio in any supported language—English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and 93+ more—and the system automatically detects and transcribes it without configuration.
All professional formats included: Every transcription includes TXT (plain text), SRT (subtitles), VTT (web video), and JSON (structured data) at no extra charge.
Preview before you pay: See a 30-word preview with speaker labels and timestamps before paying, ensuring quality meets expectations.
100% satisfaction guarantee: Full refunds available for any reason, even after downloading transcripts—no questions asked.
65 free AI prompts: Access our complete library of professional AI prompts to transform transcripts into show notes, blog posts, legal summaries, meeting minutes, and marketing assets.
BrassTranscripts Pricing
- Files 1-15 minutes: $2.25 flat rate
- Files 16+ minutes: $0.15 per minute (full duration)
- Example costs:
- 10-minute interview: $2.25
- 30-minute meeting: $4.50
- 60-minute podcast: $9.00
- 120-minute lecture: $18.00
Best For
- Professionals who transcribe occasionally (not every day)
- Anyone who wants professional quality without subscriptions
- Content creators (podcasters, video producers)
- Researchers conducting interviews
- Businesses needing meeting transcripts
- Anyone transcribing sensitive content requiring speaker separation
Limitations
- Not designed for real-time transcription (upload after recording)
- No meeting bot integration (manual upload process)
- 250MB file size limit, 2-hour duration maximum per file
Why It's #1
BrassTranscripts delivers professional-grade results without the subscription burden. When you compare speed (2 min vs 30-60 min), cost ($9 for 60 min vs $10-40/month subscriptions), and features (all formats included, no subscription, preview before payment), BrassTranscripts provides objectively better value for most transcription needs.
For detailed capabilities, see our Speaker Identification Complete Guide and Why Choose BrassTranscripts.
#2: Rev.com - Human Transcription Option
Verdict: Rev.com ranks #2 for offering professional human transcription as an option, making it ideal when maximum quality is non-negotiable despite higher costs.
What Makes Rev.com Unique
Human transcription option: Professional transcriptionists provide the highest quality available in the industry.
Dual service model: Choose between AI transcription ($0.25/min) or human transcription ($1.25/min) based on your quality needs and budget.
Fast AI turnaround: AI transcription typically completes in 5-15 minutes, faster than most subscription services.
40+ languages: Supports multilingual transcription for global content.
Rev.com Pricing
- AI transcription: $0.25 per minute ($15 per hour)
- Human transcription: $1.25 per minute ($75 per hour)
- AI Subscription: $29.99/month (1,200 minutes of AI transcripts)
Best For
- Legal proceedings requiring maximum quality
- Medical documentation and compliance
- Critical business documentation
- Content where errors are unacceptable
- Users willing to pay premium for human transcription
Limitations
- Expensive: 7-8x more costly than BrassTranscripts for AI ($15/hour vs $9/hour)
- Human transcription takes 12-24 hours (not suitable for urgent needs)
- No subscription flexibility (pay per file or commit to monthly plan)
Why It's #2
Rev.com earns second place for providing the gold standard of human transcription. When perfect transcription is legally or professionally required, Rev's human service delivers. However, for most use cases, BrassTranscripts' AI at $0.15/min provides better value than Rev's AI at $0.25/min or human at $1.25/min.
Read our detailed Rev.com comparison.
#3: Otter.ai - Real-Time Meeting Transcription
Verdict: Otter.ai ranks #3 for excelling at real-time meeting transcription with automated workflows, ideal for teams living in back-to-back meetings despite subscription requirements.
What Makes Otter.ai Unique
Real-time transcription: Live captions appear during Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams meetings.
Meeting bot automation: Otter Assistant joins meetings automatically, records, transcribes, and generates summaries without manual intervention.
Team collaboration: Share transcripts, add comments, assign action items within the platform.
Meeting summaries: Automated extraction of key points, decisions, and action items.
Otter.ai Pricing
- Free: 300 minutes/month, 30-minute conversation limit
- Pro: $10/month (annual) or $16.99/month, 1,200 minutes, 90-minute limit
- Business: $30/month, 6,000 minutes, 4-hour conversation limit
Best For
- Teams needing automated meeting transcription
- Professionals in frequent Zoom/Meet/Teams calls
- Organizations wanting centralized meeting notes
- Users prioritizing convenience over cost savings
Limitations
- Subscription required: Must pay monthly even if you don't transcribe
- Slower processing: 30-60 minutes for file transcription vs BrassTranscripts' 2-3 minutes
- Credit limits: Exceeding monthly minutes requires plan upgrades
- Cost accumulation: $120-360/year even with light usage
Why It's #3
Otter.ai ranks third for workflow automation excellence in meeting-heavy environments. If you transcribe 10+ meetings weekly and need real-time captions, Otter's automation justifies the subscription. However, for recorded content or occasional transcription, BrassTranscripts' pay-per-use pricing ($9 for 60 min vs $10-30/month minimum) and faster processing (2 min vs 30-60 min) delivers better value.
See our detailed Otter.ai comparison.
#4: Descript - Video Editing + Transcription Workflow
Verdict: Descript ranks #4 for combining transcription with professional video/audio editing tools, ideal for content creators who need both capabilities in one platform.
What Makes Descript Unique
Text-based video editing: Edit video by editing the transcript—delete words, rearrange sections, remove filler words automatically.
Overdub voice synthesis: Generate synthetic voice to replace words without re-recording.
Screen recording built-in: Record screen + audio, automatically transcribed for tutorial creation.
Speaker Detective: Identify and label speakers by playing audio clips.
Descript Pricing
- Free: 1 hour transcription/month
- Hobbyist: $19/month (10 transcription hours)
- Creator: $35/month (30 transcription hours)
- Business: $40/month (40 transcription hours)
- Additional hours: $2-2.50 per hour
Best For
- Video content creators needing editing + transcription
- Podcasters who edit audio within the platform
- YouTubers creating captions and edited content
- Teams collaborating on video projects
Limitations
- Expensive for transcription alone: $19-40/month subscription even if you only need transcription
- Slower processing: 45-60 minutes vs BrassTranscripts' 2-3 minutes
- Learning curve: More complex than pure transcription services
- Overkill if you don't need editing: Paying for features you won't use
Why It's #4
Descript ranks fourth for integrated creative workflows. If you're producing video content and need editing tools alongside transcription, Descript's unified platform adds value. However, for transcription-only needs, you're paying $19-40/month for features you don't use when BrassTranscripts delivers better value at $0.15/min with no subscription.
#5: AssemblyAI - Developer-Focused API
Verdict: AssemblyAI ranks #5 for providing developers with a powerful, well-documented API for building transcription into applications, though it requires technical integration.
What Makes AssemblyAI Unique
Excellent developer experience: Best-in-class API documentation, code examples, and SDKs.
Rich features beyond transcription: Sentiment analysis, entity detection, content moderation, topic detection, auto-chapters.
Active development: Regular model updates and new feature releases.
AssemblyAI Pricing
- Pay-as-you-go: $0.00025-$0.00065 per second ($0.015-$0.039 per minute)
- Example costs:
- 60-minute file: $0.90-$2.34
- Free tier: $50 in credits for testing
Best For
- Developers building transcription into applications
- SaaS products requiring transcription features
- Enterprises needing custom workflows
- Technical users comfortable with API integration
Limitations
- Requires coding: Not suitable for non-technical users
- API integration needed: Must build your own interface
- Setup complexity: Development time required before use
- Slower processing: 8-15 minutes vs BrassTranscripts' 2-3 minutes
Why It's #5
AssemblyAI ranks fifth for developer-first API excellence. If you're building a product that needs transcription, AssemblyAI's API and documentation are top-tier. However, for end users who just need transcripts, BrassTranscripts' web interface provides better value without requiring development work.
#6: Deepgram - Fast Real-Time Streaming
Verdict: Deepgram ranks #6 for offering ultra-low latency real-time transcription API, optimized for streaming applications and high-volume use cases.
What Makes Deepgram Unique
Ultra-low latency: <300ms for real-time transcription, fastest in the industry.
Streaming and batch: Supports both real-time streaming and batch file processing.
Competitive pricing: $0.0043/min ($0.26 per hour), among the lowest API costs.
30+ languages: Good multilingual support with fast processing.
Deepgram Pricing
- Pay-as-you-go: $0.0043 per minute ($0.26 per hour)
- Example costs:
- 60-minute file: $0.26
- Free tier: $200 in credits
Best For
- Real-time streaming applications
- High-volume transcription needs (100+ hours/month)
- Cost-sensitive enterprise deployments
- Applications requiring sub-second latency
Limitations
- API only: Requires development skills, no user interface
- Technical integration: Not suitable for non-developers
- Limited features: Focused on transcription speed over advanced features
- No preview option: Can't see quality before committing
Why It's #6
Deepgram ranks sixth for speed-optimized real-time processing. If you're building a real-time application requiring sub-second latency, Deepgram delivers. For standard file transcription, BrassTranscripts' user-friendly interface, preview option, and satisfaction guarantee provide better value for non-developers.
#7: Google Cloud Speech-to-Text - Enterprise Integration
Verdict: Google Cloud Speech-to-Text ranks #7 for seamless integration with Google Cloud Platform, ideal for enterprises already using GCP infrastructure despite higher complexity and costs.
What Makes Google Cloud Unique
GCP integration: Native integration with Google Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and other Google services.
125+ languages: Most extensive language support in the industry.
Enterprise features: Custom models, speaker diarization, profanity filtering, custom vocabularies.
Reliability: Google's infrastructure ensures high uptime and scalability.
Google Cloud Pricing
- Standard: $0.006-$0.024 per 15 seconds ($0.024-$0.096 per minute)
- Example costs:
- 60-minute file: $1.44-$5.76
- Free tier: 60 minutes/month
Best For
- Enterprises using Google Cloud Platform
- Organizations requiring GCP data residency
- Applications already in Google ecosystem
- Multilingual global applications (125+ languages)
Limitations
- Expensive: $1.44-5.76 per hour vs BrassTranscripts $9 per hour (with better features)
- Complex setup: Requires GCP account, API configuration, technical knowledge
- Not user-friendly: API-only, requires development work
- Slower processing: 10-18 minutes vs BrassTranscripts' 2-3 minutes
Why It's #7
Google Cloud ranks seventh for enterprise GCP integration. If you're already deeply invested in Google Cloud Platform and need transcription as part of larger data pipelines, Google's service integrates seamlessly. For standalone transcription needs, BrassTranscripts provides better value at similar costs without GCP complexity.
How We Ranked These Services
Our ranking methodology evaluated each service across five key criteria:
1. Pricing & Value (30% weight)
Analyzed cost-per-minute, subscription requirements, and total cost of ownership. BrassTranscripts' $0.15/min with no subscription offers best value, while subscription services force ongoing costs even without usage.
2. Processing Speed (25% weight)
Measured time to complete transcription. BrassTranscripts' 2-3 min for 60-min audio is 20-30x faster than most competitors.
3. Features & Formats (20% weight)
Evaluated output formats, language support, and additional capabilities. BrassTranscripts includes all 4 professional formats (TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON), 99+ languages, and 65 free AI prompts.
4. User Experience (15% weight)
Assessed ease of use, preview options, and workflow integration. BrassTranscripts' preview-before-payment and satisfaction guarantee reduce risk.
5. Flexibility (10% weight)
Evaluated subscription requirements, file limits, and use case versatility. Pay-per-use services (BrassTranscripts, Rev, APIs) offer more flexibility than subscriptions.
Why BrassTranscripts ranks #1: Combining highest scores in value ($0.15/min no subscription), speed (2-3 min processing), features (all formats, 99+ languages, 65 prompts), and flexibility (no subscription, preview option) creates the best overall package for professional transcription needs.
Which Service Should You Choose?
Choose BrassTranscripts (#1) if you:
- Need professional-grade speaker separation
- Want to avoid monthly subscriptions
- Transcribe occasionally or irregularly
- Need multiple output formats (TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON)
- Work with sensitive content requiring privacy
- Value transparent pricing ($0.15/min)
- Want fast processing (2-3 minutes per hour)
- Appreciate preview-before-payment option
→ Start with BrassTranscripts ←
Choose Rev.com (#2) if you:
- Need absolute maximum quality (human transcription)
- Work in legal, medical, or compliance fields
- Can afford premium pricing ($1.25/min human)
- Quality is more important than cost or speed
Choose Otter.ai (#3) if you:
- Live in meetings and need real-time transcription
- Want automated meeting summaries and action items
- Need team collaboration on meeting notes
- Transcribe frequently enough to justify $10-30/month
Choose Descript (#4) if you:
- Need video/audio editing alongside transcription
- Create content regularly (podcasts, YouTube videos)
- Want text-based video editing workflow
- Will use the full editing suite to justify $19-40/month
Choose AssemblyAI (#5) if you:
- Are a developer building transcription into applications
- Need rich API features (sentiment, entities, moderation)
- Want excellent documentation and developer experience
- Have technical resources to integrate APIs
Choose Deepgram (#6) if you:
- Need real-time streaming with ultra-low latency (<300ms)
- Process very high volumes (100+ hours/month)
- Are building real-time applications
- Prioritize speed over user-friendly interfaces
Choose Google Cloud (#7) if you:
- Already use Google Cloud Platform extensively
- Need GCP-native integration with BigQuery, Cloud Storage
- Require 125+ language support
- Have enterprise GCP contracts and infrastructure
For 80% of users, BrassTranscripts (#1) provides the best combination of value, speed, and simplicity without subscription commitments or feature complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest AI transcription service?
Deepgram API has the lowest per-minute cost ($0.0043/min = $0.26/hour) but requires development skills. For end users without coding, BrassTranscripts offers the best value at $0.15/min ($9/hour) with no subscription, compared to subscription services costing $10-40/month minimum.
Do I need a subscription for AI transcription?
No. BrassTranscripts, Rev.com, and API services (AssemblyAI, Deepgram, Google Cloud) charge per use without subscriptions. Otter.ai and Descript require monthly subscriptions. Subscription-free options are better for occasional users who don't transcribe regularly.
Which service has the best speaker identification?
BrassTranscripts uses Pyannote 3.1, the most advanced speaker diarization model available, for professional speaker separation in multi-speaker recordings. All top services offer speaker identification, but models and quality vary.
Can I try these services before paying?
Yes. BrassTranscripts offers 30-word previews before payment. Otter.ai has a free plan (300 min/month). Descript offers 1 hour free monthly. Rev.com shows pricing before submission. API services (AssemblyAI, Deepgram) provide free trial credits.
Which service is fastest?
BrassTranscripts processes fastest for file transcription: 2-3 minutes for 60 minutes of audio. Deepgram is fastest for real-time streaming (<300ms latency). Otter and Descript take 30-60 minutes for the same file.
What's the best service for meetings?
For real-time meetings: Otter.ai (#3) excels with meeting bots, live transcription, and automated summaries.
For recorded meetings: BrassTranscripts (#1) provides faster processing (2-3 min vs 30-60 min) and better value ($9 vs $10-30/month) with professional speaker separation.
Which service supports the most languages?
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text supports 125+ languages (most extensive). BrassTranscripts supports 99+ languages with automatic detection (no configuration needed). All top services support major languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, etc.).
Do these services work with video files?
Yes. BrassTranscripts, Rev.com, Descript, and most API services accept video files (MP4, MPEG, WebM). The service extracts audio and transcribes it. BrassTranscripts provides SRT and VTT subtitle formats included with every transcription.
Which service is best for podcasts?
BrassTranscripts (#1) ranks best for podcast transcription: Professional speaker separation clearly separates host/guest dialogue, $9 for a 60-minute episode (vs $10-40/month subscriptions), and includes 65 free AI prompts to transform transcripts into show notes, blog posts, and social media content.
What about security and privacy?
BrassTranscripts: Audio deleted after 24 hours, transcripts after 48 hours, no personal data stored, no tracking cookies.
Otter.ai/Descript: Store data on their servers for collaboration features.
API services: You control data storage and retention in your infrastructure.
For sensitive content, services with short retention (BrassTranscripts) or self-hosted APIs provide better privacy.
How much does it cost to transcribe a 60-minute file?
- BrassTranscripts: $9.00 (no subscription)
- Rev AI: $15.00 (no subscription)
- Rev Human: $75.00 (no subscription)
- Otter Pro: $10-30/month (subscription minimum, regardless of usage)
- Descript: $19-40/month (subscription minimum, regardless of usage)
- AssemblyAI: $0.90-2.34 (API, requires development)
- Deepgram: $0.26 (API, requires development)
- Google Cloud: $1.44-5.76 (API, requires development)
Can I get refunds if not satisfied?
BrassTranscripts: 100% satisfaction guarantee for any reason, even after downloading.
Otter/Descript: No refunds on subscription fees (even if unused).
Rev.com: Refunds only for service failures, case-by-case.
API services: Usually no refunds.
The Bottom Line: Why BrassTranscripts Ranks #1
After evaluating pricing, speed, features, and real-world performance across 7 leading AI transcription services, BrassTranscripts delivers the best overall value for most transcription needs.
The winning combination:
- Professional speaker identification - Using Pyannote 3.1 (state-of-the-art model)
- Advanced AI transcription - WhisperX large-v3 for professional results
- $0.15 per minute - Transparent pricing with no subscription trap
- 2-3 minute processing - 20-30x faster than subscription services
- 99+ languages - Automatic detection without configuration
- All formats included - TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON at no extra charge
- Preview before payment - See quality before committing
- 100% satisfaction guarantee - Full refunds for any reason
While specialized services like Rev.com (human transcription), Otter.ai (real-time meetings), and Descript (video editing) excel in specific niches, BrassTranscripts provides the best value, speed, and flexibility for 80% of transcription use cases without locking you into subscriptions or sacrificing quality.
→ Try BrassTranscripts Risk-Free ←
See the 30-word preview before paying. Get your transcript in 2-3 minutes. Cancel anytime (because there's no subscription to cancel).