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Whisper API

Speech-to-text on Whisper Large V3 with speaker detection across 100+ languages – OpenAI-compatible API, 30 free hours, then $0.17/hour.

3.3 Audio
3.3 Good 3.3
Named, current underlying model rather than a vague "AI-powered" claim Developer-oriented API access requires some technical setup for full use
Reviewed by Challenging Voice Editorial · Updated Oct 2026 How we rate
PricingFree
Free planYes
CompanyWhisper API (Lemonfox.ai)
PlatformsAPI, Web
CategoryAudio
Last reviewedAug 2026
UpdatedOct 2026

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Overview

Whisper API, run by Lemonfox.ai, is a speech-to-text service that turns audio into written text with the Whisper Large V3 model. It suits developers who need transcription inside an app, and non-technical users can use the companion Transcripo tool. Speaker detection, 100+ languages and an OpenAI-compatible API are the main draws.

Speaker detection labels the different speakers within one audio file, which helps with meetings, interviews and podcasts. Language support covers more than 100 languages, with translation into English, and the service accepts audio from podcasts, videos and meetings in a range of formats. Because the API is OpenAI-compatible, an integration built for OpenAI’s transcription endpoint can usually switch over with minimal changes, mainly the base URL and key. If you are comparing backend services for an app, our guide to chat API providers for SaaS applications covers a related part of the stack.

Developers building products with transcription are the main audience, while Transcripo covers manual transcription without code. Lemonfox.ai offers 30 hours of free transcription in the first month, then pay-as-you-go pricing at $0.17 per hour. Costs scale with the hours you transcribe, so estimate your monthly volume before committing.

Frequently asked questions

What is Whisper API?

Whisper API is a speech-to-text service from Lemonfox.ai built on the Whisper Large V3 model. It converts audio from podcasts, videos and meetings into text through an API.

Is Whisper API compatible with OpenAI’s API?

Yes, it is described as OpenAI-compatible. Integrations written for OpenAI’s transcription endpoints can switch to it with minimal changes.

Does Whisper API offer a free trial?

Lemonfox.ai offers 30 hours of transcription in the first month. After that you pay per hour.

Can it tell speakers apart?

Yes, speaker detection identifies and labels multiple speakers in one file. Accuracy varies with audio quality.

How many languages does it support?

It supports more than 100 languages and can translate speech into English.

Key features

  • Built on Whisper Large V3, a current top-tier speech recognition model
  • Multi-speaker detection and labeling
  • 100+ language support with English translation
  • OpenAI-compatible API for easy integration
  • Free Transcripo tool for non-technical manual transcription

Screenshots & demo

Whisper API screenshot 1

Pricing

Free trial
$0 for the first 30 hours
  • 30 hours of transcription in the first month, Whisper Large V3, speaker detection, 100+ languages
View plan
Pay-as-you-go
$0.17 per hour
  • Usage-based billing after the trial, OpenAI-compatible API, speaker detection, translation to English
View plan

Is Whisper API expensive?

Whisper API has no advertised paid tier. Among the 87 priced tools we list in Audio, the median entry price is $10 a month.

67% of Audio tools in the directory offer a free tier, and this is one of them.

Compared against every priced listing in Audio, recalculated as the catalogue changes. Method and the full market breakdown are in our AI tool pricing study.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Named, current underlying model rather than a vague "AI-powered" claim
  • Genuinely low pay-as-you-go pricing ($0.17/hour) after a generous 30-hour trial
  • OpenAI-compatible API lowers switching costs for existing integrations

Cons

  • Developer-oriented API access requires some technical setup for full use
  • Pay-as-you-go costs scale directly with transcription volume
  • Speaker detection and translation accuracy still varies with audio quality

How it compares

ToolRatingFreeFromBest known for
Whisper API (this tool)3.3YesFreeBuilt on Whisper Large V3, a current top-tier speech recognition model
Sonix4.4No$10/moText-based transcript editing
Amberscript4.2No€19/moMachine-made transcription and subtitles in 90+ languages
Transkrip3.2No$1.3/mo90%+ accuracy for Indonesian, plus 25+ other languages

Alternatives to Whisper API

4 tools matched to Whisper API on what they do, their category and their price.

Amberscript

4.2

Transcription and subtitling service from the Netherlands with machine-made speech-to-text in 90+ languages, human-reviewed transcripts and subtitles, a speech-to-text API and the Amber Notes AI meeting notetaker.

Free Trial Audio
View details Visit

Transkrip

3.2

Over 90% accuracy on Indonesian audio, an hour of content transcribed in under a minute – pay per file (about $1.30), used by Google, Gojek, ByteDance, and Kyoto University.

Paid Audio
View details Visit
Compare all Whisper API alternatives →

Head to head: Whisper API vs Sonix · Whisper API vs Amberscript · Whisper API vs Transkrip · Whisper API vs Transkriptor

Frequently asked questions

What is Whisper API?
Whisper API, run by Lemonfox.ai, is a speech-to-text service that turns audio into written text with the Whisper Large V3 model.
Is Whisper API free?
Yes, Whisper API offers a free plan. Paid plans unlock more features and higher usage limits.
How much does Whisper API cost?
Whisper API plans: Free trial $0 for the first 30 hours; Pay-as-you-go $0.17 per hour.
What are the best Whisper API alternatives?
The closest matches in the directory are Sonix, Amberscript, and Transkrip, compared side by side above.

Reviews

3.3 Editorial rating No reviews yet

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