Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving AssemblyAI.
Want the closest match?
DeepgramMost similar to AssemblyAI in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens Deepgram in a new tab)Need a free plan?
CartesiaHas a free plan, rated 4.4 out of 5.
Visit (opens Cartesia in a new tab)Want the lowest price?
SpeechmaticsFrom $0.13/mo, the lowest starting price here.
Visit (opens Speechmatics in a new tab)Want the best rated?
Vapi
Rated 4.4 out of 5 in our review, against 4.5 for AssemblyAI.
Visit (opens Vapi in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than AssemblyAI, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AssemblyAIBaseline | 4.5 | Free | Yes | A developer API, not an app, built for accuracy benchmarks | |
| Deepgram | 4.5Same | Free | Yes | Trains its own speech models from scratch, built for call centers | vs AssemblyAI |
 Hume AI | 4.2−0.3 | Free | Yes | Built around reading and responding to vocal emotion | vs AssemblyAI |
| Speechmatics | 3.9−0.6 | $0.13/mo | Yes | Enterprise speech API platform for speech-to-text and voice agents in 55+ languages, with $100 in free usage and no card required. | vs AssemblyAI |
| Vapi | 4.4−0.1 | Not listed | No | Infrastructure for building voice agents, not a voice model itself | vs AssemblyAI |
 Transkriptor | 4.0−0.5 | $9.99/mo | No | AI transcription that converts audio and video into text across more than 100 languages | vs AssemblyAI |
 Gladia | 4.3−0.2 | Free | Yes | A European speech API tuned for accents and multilingual audio | vs AssemblyAI |
 Amberscript | 4.2−0.3 | $19/mo | No | 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. | vs AssemblyAI |
| Cartesia | 4.4−0.1 | Free | Yes | A different model architecture built for real-time voice agents | vs AssemblyAI |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches AssemblyAI.
Deepgram
4.5Free
vs AssemblyAISame
Trains its own speech models from scratch, built for call centers.
- Speech recognition models trained from scratch, not fine-tuned Whisper
- Real-time streaming transcription API
- Built for call center and voice agent use cases
Own model training gives more control over accuracy and speed tradeoffs
No consumer app, requires engineering integration
Hume AI
4.2Free
vs AssemblyAI−0.3
Built around reading and responding to vocal emotion.
- Empathic Voice Interface for emotion-aware responses
- Vocal tone and prosody analysis
- Research-backed emotional expression measurement
Genuinely distinct focus on emotional intelligence, not just accuracy
Narrower use case than general-purpose voice AI platforms
Speechmatics
3.9$0.13/mo
vs AssemblyAI−0.6
Enterprise speech API platform for speech-to-text and voice agents in 55+ languages, with $100 in free usage and no card required.
- Speech-to-text in 55+ languages and dialects
- Low-latency mode built for real-time voice agents
- English text-to-speech for voice-agent responses
A meaningful free credit to test the API before paying
Enterprise pricing is not public and needs a sales conversation
Vapi
4.4Not listed
vs AssemblyAI−0.1
Infrastructure for building voice agents, not a voice model itself.
- Orchestration layer connecting STT, LLM, and TTS providers
- Provider-agnostic, swap components without rebuilding
- Built-in telephony and call handling infrastructure
Removes the integration work of combining separate voice AI providers
Requires development work, not a ready-made consumer app
Transkriptor
4.0$9.99/mo
vs AssemblyAI−0.5
AI transcription that converts audio and video into text across more than 100 languages.
- AI transcription across 100+ languages with speaker identification
- Direct integration with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet for meeting capture
- AI-generated meeting summaries and extracted action items
Wide platform coverage means recordings can be captured from almost any device or meeting tool
No perpetual free plan, only a limited trial before the paid tier is required
Gladia
4.3Free
vs AssemblyAI−0.2
A European speech API tuned for accents and multilingual audio.
- Whisper-based model with additional accuracy tuning
- Strong performance on accented and multilingual audio
- EU-based infrastructure for data residency needs
Tuned specifically for accented and code-switching speech
No consumer app, requires development work to use
Amberscript
4.2$19/mo
vs AssemblyAI−0.3
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.
- Machine-made transcription and subtitles in 90+ languages
- Human-reviewed transcripts and subtitles at a stated 99 percent accuracy
- Amber Notes AI meeting notetaker with summaries
Machine and human service levels in one account
Prices are listed in euros
Cartesia
4.4Free
vs AssemblyAI−0.1
A different model architecture built for real-time voice agents.
- State space model architecture (Mamba-based) for low latency
- Sonic (TTS), Ink (STT), and Line (voice agent) product suite
- Top-ranked on independent speech benchmarks
Architecture specifically optimized for real-time latency
No published flat pricing, requires contacting sales for production use
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is AssemblyAI free?
AssemblyAI has a free plan.
What is the best free alternative to AssemblyAI?
Deepgram is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (4.5 out of 5). Other free options: Cartesia, Gladia, Hume AI.
What is the cheapest alternative to AssemblyAI?
Among paid plans, Speechmatics has the lowest starting price (from $0.13/mo). If you need it free, start with Deepgram.
How did you pick these alternatives?
We match tools on what they do, their category and their price, using the details in our directory. Ratings come from our reviews and reader reviews.