Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving Google Cloud Speech-to-Text.
Want the closest match?
DeepgramMost similar to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens Deepgram in a new tab)Need a free plan?
AssemblyAIHas a free plan, rated 4.5 out of 5.
Visit (opens AssemblyAI in a new tab)Want the lowest price?
LongScribeFrom $4.99/mo, the lowest starting price here.
Visit (opens LongScribe in a new tab)Want the best rated?
GladiaRated 4.3 out of 5 in our review, against 4.3 for Google Cloud Speech-to-Text.
Visit (opens Gladia in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than Google Cloud Speech-to-Text, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Google Cloud Speech-to-TextBaseline | 4.3 | Free | Yes | Google Cloud's speech recognition API converting audio to text across 125+ languages with real-time streaming. | |
| Deepgram | 4.5+0.2 | Free | Yes | Trains its own speech models from scratch, built for call centers | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
| Gladia | 4.3Same | Free | Yes | A European speech API tuned for accents and multilingual audio | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
 SpeechText.AI | 3.6−0.7 | Free | Yes | Transcription with domain-specific vocabulary models, so industry terms and names come back spelled correctly. | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
| AssemblyAI | 4.5+0.2 | Free | Yes | A developer API, not an app, built for accuracy benchmarks | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
 Dictation.io | 3.4−0.9 | Free | Yes | Free Chrome-based dictation editor that turns speech into text in real time using Google speech recognition, in 80+ languages. | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
 Whisper API | 3.3−1.0 | Free | Yes | Speech-to-text on Whisper Large V3 with speaker detection across 100+ languages - OpenAI-compatible API, 30 free hours, then $0.17/hour. | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
 Voicegain | 4.0−0.3 | Free | Yes | Voice AI platform with speech-to-text APIs, voice agents and healthcare call automation that runs on its cloud, a private VPC or fully on-premises. | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
| LongScribe | 3.6−0.7 | $4.99/mo | Yes | AI transcription software for long prerecorded audio and video | vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches Google Cloud Speech-to-Text.
Deepgram
4.5Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text+0.2
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
Gladia
4.3Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-TextSame
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
SpeechText.AI
3.6Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text−0.7
Transcription with domain-specific vocabulary models, so industry terms and names come back spelled correctly.
- Domain-specific vocabulary and acoustic models
- Audio and video transcription
- Multiple language support
Domain vocabulary fixes errors that cluster on the words that matter most
Accents, overlapping speakers and poor recordings degrade any engine
AssemblyAI
4.5Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text+0.2
A developer API, not an app, built for accuracy benchmarks.
- Usage-based speech-to-text API
- LeMUR framework for LLM analysis on transcripts
- Published accuracy benchmarks against competitors
Strong, independently referenced accuracy benchmarks
No consumer app, requires development work to use
Dictation.io
3.4Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text−0.9
Free Chrome-based dictation editor that turns speech into text in real time using Google speech recognition, in 80+ languages.
- Real-time speech-to-text in Google Chrome
- 80+ recognition languages
- Voice commands for new lines, punctuation and smileys
No signup and no cost for drafting by voice
Chrome only, and it needs an internet connection
Whisper API
3.3Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text−1.0
Speech-to-text on Whisper Large V3 with speaker detection across 100+ languages - OpenAI-compatible API, 30 free hours, then $0.17/hour.
- Built on Whisper Large V3, a current top-tier speech recognition model
- Multi-speaker detection and labeling
- 100+ language support with English translation
Named, current underlying model rather than a vague "AI-powered" claim
Developer-oriented API access requires some technical setup for full use
Voicegain
4.0Free
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text−0.3
Voice AI platform with speech-to-text APIs, voice agents and healthcare call automation that runs on its cloud, a private VPC or fully on-premises.
- Omega, Kappa and Voicegain-Whisper speech recognition models
- Casey voice AI suite for healthcare payer calls
- Clara ambient listening and medical scribe
$50 free credit with no credit card
Aimed at developers and healthcare organizations, not casual users
LongScribe
3.6$4.99/mo
vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text−0.7
AI transcription software for long prerecorded audio and video.
- Transcribes long recordings from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo and 1,000+ other sources
- Uploads from your computer or cloud storage, with batch upload of up to 20 files on Premium
- Imports a whole YouTube channel and lets you pick which videos to transcribe
The free plan recurs every month rather than expiring after a trial
The free plan stops at 3 transcriptions and 180 minutes a month
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Google Cloud Speech-to-Text free?
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text has a free plan.
What is the best free alternative to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text?
Deepgram is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (4.5 out of 5). Other free options: AssemblyAI, Gladia, Voicegain.
What is the cheapest alternative to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text?
Among paid plans, LongScribe has the lowest starting price (from $4.99/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.