Sonix Alternative: Flat $6.00 per File Instead of $10 per Hour
Sonix prices by the audio hour; BrassTranscripts prices by the file. That single difference decides which is cheaper for you, and the answer flips at about 36 minutes.
Sonix prices on this page were checked on sonix.ai on September 5, 2026.
Where Each Service Is Cheaper
Sonix's pay-as-you-go rate is $10 per hour, prorated to the second, and it does not require a subscription. BrassTranscripts is $2.50 for files up to 15 minutes and $6.00 flat above that. Below about 36 minutes Sonix costs less; above it, BrassTranscripts does, by more every minute.
| File length | BrassTranscripts | Sonix pay-as-you-go | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | $2.50 | $1.67 | Sonix |
| 15 minutes | $2.50 | $2.50 | Tie |
| 30 minutes | $6.00 | $5.00 | Sonix |
| 36 minutes | $6.00 | $6.00 | Break-even |
| 45 minutes | $6.00 | $7.50 | BrassTranscripts |
| 60 minutes | $6.00 | $10.00 | BrassTranscripts |
| 90 minutes | $6.00 | $15.00 | BrassTranscripts |
| 2 hours | $6.00 | $20.00 | BrassTranscripts |
| 3 hours | $6.00 | $30.00 | BrassTranscripts |
Sonix figures are $10/hour prorated (sonix.ai/faq: "calculate the length of your audio/video file to the nearest second and prorate the cost"). Sonix subscriptions lower the effective hourly rate only if you use the included hours: Core is $25 for 5 hours ($5.00/hour), Advanced $50 for 20 ($2.50/hour), Pro $80 for 40 ($2.00/hour).
Monthly Scenarios, Including Sonix Subscriptions
Sonix's subscriptions are competitive once you fill them. The honest comparison includes the plan that fits each volume, not just pay-as-you-go.
Two 45-minute interviews a month
Typical for a graduate researcher
Four 60-minute episodes a month
Weekly podcast
Nearly a tie with Core; the difference is that BrassTranscripts charges nothing in a month you skip.
Twelve 90-minute recordings a month
Lecture capture, depositions, long meetings
Sonix Advanced wins here if you use it every month. BrassTranscripts bulk tiers ($3.00–$6.00 per file) close the gap for batches; see the pricing page.
Twenty 8-minute clips a month
Social video, voicemail, short calls
Short clips are Sonix's territory. Per-file pricing is not the right model for them.
What Is Different Besides the Price
Sonix has, BrassTranscripts does not
- •An in-browser editor synced to the audio
- •Machine translation of the transcript into other languages
- •Burned-in subtitles and media hosting (5–100 GB by plan)
- •Team workspaces with extra seats at $25 a month
BrassTranscripts has, Sonix does not
- ✓No account for single files: upload, preview 30 words, pay, download
- ✓Automatic language detection across 99+ languages (Sonix: 54+, chosen before upload)
- ✓A flat price that does not grow with file length, up to 450 MB per upload
- ✓JSON with word-level timestamps and speaker labels in every download
Both services label speakers automatically and export SRT and VTT. Neither publishes a verified accuracy figure that survives poor audio; the accuracy guide explains what actually moves the number.
Long File? Try It Here First
Anything over 36 minutes costs less on BrassTranscripts, and a two-hour recording costs the same $6.00 as a twenty-minute one. Upload, read the preview, pay only if you want it.
Start Transcribing →Background: how Sonix's hybrid pricing works. Other comparisons: Otter.ai, Rev, Descript, Trint, Riverside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sonix pricing work in 2026?
Sonix has a pay-as-you-go rate of $10 per hour of audio, prorated to the second with a one-cent minimum per file and no subscription required, plus three subscriptions: Core at $25 a month for 5 hours, Advanced at $50 for 20 hours, and Pro at $80 for 40 hours, with extra hours on any plan billed at $10 per hour. Those are the figures on sonix.ai as of September 2026.
Is BrassTranscripts cheaper than Sonix?
It depends on file length. Sonix's $10-per-hour rate is cheaper for files under about 36 minutes; BrassTranscripts' $6.00 flat rate is cheaper for anything longer, and the gap widens with length: a two-hour recording is $6.00 on BrassTranscripts and $20.00 on Sonix pay-as-you-go. For files of 15 minutes or less the two are within pennies of each other ($2.50 flat versus $2.50 at Sonix's rate).
Does Sonix require a subscription?
No. Sonix's pay-as-you-go option is genuinely subscription-free; the subscriptions add lower effective hourly rates, more storage, and team seats. BrassTranscripts has no subscription tier at all and no account for single files.
Does BrassTranscripts include speaker labels and subtitle formats like Sonix?
Yes. Every BrassTranscripts transcript includes automatic speaker labels for up to six voices and is delivered as TXT, SRT, VTT, and JSON at no extra charge. Sonix also labels speakers and exports subtitles, and adds an in-browser editor, translation into 50+ languages, and media hosting that BrassTranscripts does not offer.
How many languages does each service transcribe?
Sonix lists 54+ transcription languages that you select before uploading. BrassTranscripts transcribes 99+ languages and detects the language automatically, which matters for recordings that switch languages or where you are not sure which dialect was spoken.
When should I stay with Sonix?
Stay with Sonix if you mainly transcribe short clips under half an hour, if you edit transcripts in the browser while listening, if you need machine translation or burned-in subtitles, or if a team shares one workspace. Move to BrassTranscripts for long recordings, batches of interviews, JSON with word timestamps, or when you would rather not create an account.