Deepgram vs Whisper: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Deepgram and Whisper comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Deepgram
Enterprise Voice AI: STT, TTS & Agent APIs for accurate, realistic, and cost-effective voice solutions.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • AI speech-to-text API
- • Fast, accurate transcription
Whisper
OpenAI's speech recognition model
Best for you if:
- • Speech recognition model
- • Multi-language transcription
| At a Glance |  Deepgram |  Whisper |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Transcription | Transcription |
Rating | 88/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Deepgram | Whisper |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | TranscriptionAI Voice | TranscriptionAI Voice |
How Deepgram and Whisper Compare
Deepgram
Enterprise Voice AI: STT, TTS & Agent APIs for accurate, realistic, and cost-effective voice solutions.
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Whisper
OpenAI's speech recognition model
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Deepgram
Want the highest-rated option?
Deepgram scores 88/100. Whisper is unrated.
Go with: Deepgram
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Deepgram
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are transcription tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Deepgram
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Whisper
The Bottom Line
Deepgram (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deepgram or Whisper better?
Deepgram scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Deepgram and Whisper used for?
Deepgram: Enterprise Voice AI: STT, TTS & Agent APIs for accurate, realistic, and cost-effective voice solutions.. Whisper: OpenAI's speech recognition model.
What does Deepgram cost vs Whisper?
Deepgram is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Whisper is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.