Deepgram Alternatives 2026: 5 Options Compared
Find the right ai transcription apis solution for your team
Deepgram pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $0 per minute in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Top Deepgram Alternatives
AssemblyAI
Easy MigrationChoose AssemblyAI over Deepgram if you need advanced audio intelligence features (entity detection, topic detection, summarization, auto chapters) in a single API, prefer per-hour pricing over per-minute, or prioritize feature richness over real-time streaming latency
Rev AI
Easy MigrationChoose Rev AI over Deepgram if you need the absolute lowest cost for batch transcription (Reverb Turbo at $0.00167/min is 4.6x cheaper than Deepgram Nova-3), want human transcription fallback at $1.99/min for mission-critical accuracy, or don't require real-time streaming
Speechmatics
Easy MigrationChoose Speechmatics over Deepgram if you need multilingual transcription across 55+ languages (vs Deepgram's 30+), want a free tier that refreshes monthly (480 minutes/month ongoing vs Deepgram's one-time $200 credit), or require on-premises/multi-region deployment for data sovereignty
OpenAI Whisper API
Easy MigrationChoose OpenAI Whisper over Deepgram if you want the simplest integration with a single $0.006/min flat rate (no model tiers or add-ons), already use OpenAI's ecosystem (GPT-4, embeddings), or need basic transcription without real-time streaming requirements
AWS Transcribe
Medium EffortChoose AWS Transcribe over Deepgram if your infrastructure is already on AWS, need tight integration with S3, Lambda, and other AWS services, require AWS compliance certifications (HIPAA, PCI-DSS), or want to use AWS Free Tier (60 minutes/month for 12 months)
When to Stay with Deepgram
Stay with Deepgram if you need ultra-low latency real-time streaming (<300ms) for live captioning or voice agents, value per-second billing precision to avoid overpaying for rounded-up minutes, or require a generous $200 free credit with no expiration for extended testing.
- You've invested heavily in customizations and integrations
- Your team is highly trained and productive on Deepgram
- You need features that alternatives don't offer
- Migration costs would exceed multi-year savings
Price Comparison
| Product | Price Range | Migration |
|---|---|---|
| Current Deepgram | $0-$0/minute | - |
| AssemblyAI | $0.0025-0.0065/min | Easy |
| Rev AI | $0.00167-0.033/min | Easy |
| Speechmatics | $0.004/min + 480min free/mo | Easy |
| OpenAI Whisper API | $0.006/min | Easy |
| AWS Transcribe | $0.006-0.0405/min | Medium |
Detailed Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What are the best Deepgram alternatives?
The top Deepgram alternatives include AssemblyAI, Rev AI, Speechmatics, OpenAI Whisper API, AWS Transcribe. Each offers different strengths: AssemblyAI is batch transcription with rich audio intelligence features like entity detection, topic detection, and auto chapters, while Rev AI is budget-conscious batch transcription or when human transcription fallback is required.
02 Is it hard to switch from Deepgram to an alternative?
Migration difficulty varies by alternative. Among Deepgram alternatives, AssemblyAI and Rev AI and Speechmatics and OpenAI Whisper API offer easy migration paths with import tools. More complex migrations may require data cleanup and workflow reconfiguration.
03 How much can I save by switching from Deepgram?
Depending on the alternative you choose, you could save anywhere from 20% to 70% on per-user costs. Deepgram's pricing is competitive, so cost savings depend on your specific feature requirements. Factor in migration costs and productivity dip during transition.
04 Should I stay with Deepgram or switch?
Stay with Deepgram if you need ultra-low latency real-time streaming (<300ms) for live captioning or voice agents, value per-second billing precision to avoid overpaying for rounded-up minutes, or require a generous $200 free credit with no expiration for extended testing. However, if your needs have evolved or you're not using Deepgram's advanced features, exploring alternatives could save you money and complexity.
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