Head to head / AI Transcription

AssemblyAI vs Descript

The verdict
  • Both offer a free tier to start.
ComparedAssemblyAIDescript
Accuracy (tested)96.9%Not tested
Starting price$0.15/hr$24/mo
Free tierYesYes
Visit AssemblyAIVisit Descript

Feature by feature

FeatureAssemblyAIDescript
Languages99+26 (Latin only)
APIYesYes
Real-timeYesNo
Speaker labelsYesYes
Export formatsJSON, TXT, SRT, VTTTXT, SRT, VTT, DOCX, MP4
Human optionNoNo

AssemblyAI

Developers who want a speech-to-text API with built-in audio intelligence like summarization, sentiment, and LLM queries.

  • +Universal-2 model, strong English accuracy
  • +LeMUR runs LLMs over your transcripts
  • +Sentiment, topics, PII redaction built in
  • +Generous free credit to start

Descript

Podcasters and video creators who want to edit audio and video by editing the transcript.

  • +Edit audio/video by editing text
  • +Overdub voice clone plus Studio Sound
  • +One-click filler-word ('um') removal
  • +Record, transcribe, edit, publish in one

Compared on the metrics we track for this category. Prices are the cheapest paid tier. Some links are affiliate links.