WhisperAPI

Whisper transcription through an API or a drag-and-drop dashboard

Beginner API
Screenshot of WhisperAPI, Whisper transcription through an API or a drag-and-drop dashboard

What is WhisperAPI?

WhisperAPI is an AI transcriber tool. A hosted Whisper transcription service with both a REST API and a no-code dashboard. Credit-based pricing with no expiry, 98+ languages, 10GB uploads on Pro, and files deleted after 24 hours.

WhisperAPI is a transcription service built on OpenAI's Whisper speech recognition model, offered two ways: a REST API for developers wiring transcription into their own pipelines, and a browser dashboard for people who just want to drop in a file and get text back. The service runs on a self-hosted copy of Whisper, so no OpenAI API key is required and audio never goes to a third party for processing. Uploads are capped at 10GB on the Pro tier and there is no limit on total transcription minutes. For developers, the API accepts either a direct file upload or a remote URL and returns transcripts as JSON, plain text, VTT, DOCX or PDF. Model size is a request parameter, so you can trade speed against accuracy per job, and language detection is automatic across more than 98 languages. A curl call with an API key header is enough to transcribe an MP4 and get subtitles back, which makes it a short integration rather than a migration project. Speaker diarization is available and is priced into the credit cost. The dashboard covers the same ground without code. Files are dragged in, a modal shows the model options and the exact credit cost before you commit, and progress is visible in real time. Transcriptions accumulate in one place for review, preview and download. That combination puts WhisperAPI in the same bracket as other hosted Whisper wrappers, but the pay-as-you-go credit model is the differentiator: credits do not expire, and there is no recurring subscription to cancel. It suits podcast and video teams producing captions, researchers working through interview recordings, and engineering teams that would rather call an endpoint than manage GPU inference themselves. Files are deleted after 24 hours while transcript text stays in the account, which is a reasonable privacy posture for most workflows, though anyone handling regulated material should confirm retention details before relying on it.

How do you use WhisperAPI?

  1. 1Create an account and claim the free credits
    Sign up from the login page without a credit card. The account is provisioned with 5 transcription credits and an API key for programmatic use.
  2. 2Upload a file or point to a remote URL
    In the dashboard, drag an audio or video file onto the upload area, or submit a remote URL through the API. Common formats such as MP3, WAV, MP4 and M4A are accepted.
  3. 3Pick a model and confirm the credit cost
    A modal appears with the largest model selected by default. Switch to a smaller model for speed, check the displayed credit cost, then confirm to start the job.
  4. 4Track progress and review the transcript
    Transcription progress is shown in real time. Once finished, the transcript opens with optional timestamps you can toggle on or off while reading.
  5. 5Export in the format you need
    Download the result as JSON, TEXT, VTT, DOCX or PDF. VTT suits subtitle tracks, while DOCX and PDF fit document handoffs.
  6. 6Wire the API into your own pipeline
    Read the API documentation for the endpoint, required headers and parameters. A single curl request with an X-API-Key header posts a file and returns the transcript.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Runs on a self-hosted Whisper copy, so no OpenAI API key is needed and audio is not sent to third partiesAI
  • Credits never expire and there is no subscription, which removes recurring billing for occasional useAI
  • Same account serves both a REST API and a drag-and-drop dashboard, so non-developers are not locked outAI
  • Model size is selectable per job and the exact credit cost is shown before a transcription startsAI
  • Exports span JSON, TEXT, VTT, DOCX and PDF, covering subtitle and document workflows in one passAI

Cons

  • Credit consumption depends on model size, file length, file size and diarization, so costs are hard to predict without checking the modal each timeAI
  • The 10GB upload ceiling is tied to a Pro subscription, which is not priced on the homepageAI
  • Uploaded files are deleted after 24 hours, so originals must be kept elsewhere if re-runs are neededAI
  • Accuracy claims assume clean audio; noisy recordings and heavy accents are acknowledged as weakerAI
  • No public list of integrations or native app platforms beyond the browser dashboardAI

How much does WhisperAPI cost?

Free trial

New accounts get 5 free transcription credits with no credit card required, enough to test the API or the dashboard before buying a bundle.

Learn more

Pricing

Pay-as-you-go credit bundles with no monthly fee: 40 credits for $10 ($0.25 each), 100 for $20 ($0.20 each), 200 for $30 ($0.15 each), and custom volume from 1,000 credits at $0.10 each. Credits never expire. Cost per transcription depends on model size, billed hours, diarization and file size.

Learn more

Support

Support is handled by contact, with a full refund offered to customers who are not satisfied with the service. No phone or live chat channel is listed.

Integrations

Integration is through the REST API, which accepts direct file uploads or remote URLs. No third-party app marketplace or prebuilt connectors are described on the homepage.

Learn more

Features

Transcription of audio and video via a REST API or a no-code dashboard, powered by a self-hosted OpenAI Whisper model. Selectable model sizes for speed versus accuracy, 98+ language support with automatic detection, speaker diarization, 10GB uploads on Pro, unlimited transcription minutes, and exports to JSON, TEXT, VTT, DOCX and PDF. Uploads are deleted after 24 hours.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about WhisperAPI

  • How much does WhisperAPI cost?
    Pay-as-you-go credit bundles with no monthly fee: 40 credits for $10 ($0.25 each), 100 for $20 ($0.20 each), 200 for $30 ($0.15 each), and custom volume from 1,000 credits at $0.10 each. Credits never expire. Cost per transcription depends on model size, billed hours, diarization and file size.
  • Does WhisperAPI offer a free trial?
    New accounts get 5 free transcription credits with no credit card required, enough to test the API or the dashboard before buying a bundle.
  • Does WhisperAPI have an API?
    Yes, WhisperAPI offers an API.
  • How do you use WhisperAPI?
    The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Create an account and claim the free credits 2. Upload a file or point to a remote URL 3. Pick a model and confirm the credit cost 4. Track progress and review the transcript 5. Export in the format you need 6. Wire the API into your own pipeline.
  • What platforms does WhisperAPI support?
    WhisperAPI is available on Web App.
  • What does WhisperAPI integrate with?
    Integration is through the REST API, which accepts direct file uploads or remote URLs. No third-party app marketplace or prebuilt connectors are described on the homepage.

Status

StatusActive
Views0
Outbound clicks0
Added10/21/2026

Platforms

Web App

Pricing

Free TrialPaid