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Head to head · 2026

AssemblyAI vs Deepgram

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

AssemblyAI

A developer API, not an app, built for accuracy benchmarks

4.5Free

Visit AssemblyAI (opens AssemblyAI in a new tab)

Deepgram

Trains its own speech models from scratch, built for call centers

4.5Free

Visit Deepgram (opens Deepgram in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: AssemblyAI does not list a price

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Tie

    4.5 against 4.5

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Audio tools

Side by side

Compared onAssemblyAIDeepgram
Our rating4.54.5
Starts atFreeFree
Free planYesYes
CategoryAudioAudio
PlansFreeFree
Key features
  • Usage-based speech-to-text API
  • LeMUR framework for LLM analysis on transcripts
  • Published accuracy benchmarks against competitors
  • Real-time and batch transcription modes
  • Free API credits for testing
  • Speech recognition models trained from scratch, not fine-tuned Whisper
  • Real-time streaming transcription API
  • Built for call center and voice agent use cases
  • Usage-based API pricing
  • Free credits for development and testing
Pros
  • Strong, independently referenced accuracy benchmarks
  • LeMUR adds LLM-based analysis without a separate pipeline
  • Usage-based pricing scales with actual demand
  • Own model training gives more control over accuracy and speed tradeoffs
  • Strong fit for real-time, low-latency transcription needs
  • Long operating history in the speech API space
Cons
  • No consumer app, requires development work to use
  • Full value depends on having an engineering team to integrate it
  • Cost can grow quickly at high transcription volume
  • No consumer app, requires engineering integration
  • Real-time focus matters less for simple batch transcription needs
  • Costs can scale significantly at high call volume
CompanyAssemblyAI, founded 2017Deepgram, founded 2015

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260703. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is AssemblyAI better than Deepgram?

In our reviews AssemblyAI scores 4.5 and Deepgram scores 4.5. The better pick depends on the job. AssemblyAI: A developer API, not an app, built for accuracy benchmarks. Deepgram: Trains its own speech models from scratch, built for call centers.

Which is cheaper, AssemblyAI or Deepgram?

AssemblyAI: free. Deepgram: free.

Do AssemblyAI and Deepgram have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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