Quick Answer
Last verified:

Google Cloud Speech-to-Text 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
Last verified: February 2026 | Sources: 2 pricing pages and reviews
Freemium plan type
Freemium

Google Cloud Speech-to-Text offers a freemium model with limited features; upgrade to unlock more.

What's Included in the Free Plan

  • Speech-to-text at $0.016/min ($0.96/hour) for standard models
  • Chirp model (V2 API) included at same rate -- no premium charge
  • 125+ languages and variants supported
  • Real-time streaming and batch processing
  • Speaker diarization and automatic punctuation
  • 60 minutes/month free ongoing (not time-limited)
  • $300 free credits for new GCP customers (90-day expiration)

Free Plan Limits

Limit Free Plan Paid Plans
Free tier 60 min/month (ongoing, no expiration)
Free credits $300 for new customers (90 days)
Max audio length 480 minutes per request
Support GCP Standard Support
SLA 99.9% availability

You'll Need to Upgrade When...

  • You exceed the user limit
  • You need features like advanced automation
  • You require premium support or SLA guarantees
  • You need to remove branding or watermarks
  • You need advanced integrations or API access

Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan

  • ! Google Cloud Speech-to-Text branding may appear on your content or communications
  • ! Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
  • ! Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
  • ! API access is typically limited or not available
  • ! Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans

Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?

Free Plan is Enough If...

  • You're an individual or very small team
  • You need only basic features
  • You don't mind usage limits
  • Branding on output is acceptable
  • Community support is sufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Is Google Cloud Speech-to-Text free?

Yes, Google Cloud Speech-to-Text offers a freemium plan with 7 core features included. However, there are limits on free tier, free credits that may require upgrading.

02 What's included in Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan?

Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan includes: Speech-to-text at $0.016/min ($0.96/hour) for standard models, Chirp model (V2 API) included at same rate -- no premium charge, 125+ languages and variants supported, Real-time streaming and batch processing, Speaker diarization and automatic punctuation, and 2 more features. Key limits include Free tier: 60 min/month (ongoing, no expiration), Free credits: $300 for new customers (90 days), Max audio length: 480 minutes per request.

03 What's NOT included in Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan?

The free plan excludes: advanced features, premium support, and higher limits. You'll also have Google Cloud Speech-to-Text branding and limited support options.

04 When should I upgrade from Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan?

Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like advanced automation, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $0/minute.

05 Is Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan really free forever?

Yes, Google Cloud Speech-to-Text's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.

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