OpenAI
OpenAI Whisper API
A managed API and open-source model for developers to build transcription features into applications.
Our editorial assessment as of Apr 24, 2026, based on the public sources listed below.
Rank in Transcription
#4
Tier
S
Score
88.0
Underlying model
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Strengths
- Highly accurate open-source models can be self-hosted for free, offering privacy and control.
- Supports over 97 languages, making it versatile for global applications.
- Powers several other commercial transcription tools, indicating its robustness.
Considerations
- Requires technical knowledge; there is no user interface for the open-source version.
- Self-hosting the open-source model requires a computer with a decent GPU.
Price
Open-source is free; Managed API at $0.006/min
Score breakdown
Performance
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Reputation
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Price
80.0
Recency
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Verification status
Each field carries its own re-verification date. Amber means older than 90 days — treat those figures as stale until re-checked.
Sources
- BrassTranscriptsAccessed: 2026-04-21
- WirecutterAccessed: 2026-04-21