As a Descript alternative, Potok is narrower and simpler: about 30 recognition languages against 26 that Descript states in its help center, no editor, and no translation. Descript offers captions in 61 languages. Potok lives in Telegram, accepts files up to 2 GB and returns plain text you can export.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- Descript describes itself as a tool that edits audio and video by editing the text, so the transcript is a working surface there, not only an output.
- Potok stops at the text: you send a recording, read the transcript, and export it as TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT.
- Its public pages do not state a largest file, so ask the vendor about size before you commit a long recording.
- Pick Descript when the end product is an edited recording; pick Potok when the end product is a document or a subtitle file.
- Captions in 61 languages, plus regional variants, is what Descript states for subtitles; recognition is a shorter list of 26.
At a glance
| Descript | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | 26, according to its help center | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | Captions in 61 languages (plus regional variants) | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Yes | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | DOCX, HTML, MD, TXT, RTF | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Telegram bot | Not stated on its public pages | Yes, @potok_now_bot |
| Largest file | Not stated on its public pages | Up to 2 GB |
Facts about Descript come from its public pages and from third-party reviews. They can change; check the vendor's site before you decide.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
Common mistakes when choosing
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing Descript only to get a transcript | You spend learning time on an editor you never open. | List what you will do with the recording. If the answer is read and quote, a plain transcript tool is enough. |
| Mixing up recognition languages and caption languages | A caption list of 61 does not mean your spoken language is recognised in all of them. Descript states 26 for recognition. | Check the recognition list for the language of your audio first, then the caption list. |
| Assuming a missing line means a missing feature | Its public pages are silent on a Telegram bot and on file size, which is not the same as a no. | Ask the vendor or test with a real file before you rule it out. |
| Exporting HTML or RTF for a subtitle job | Neither format carries timestamps for a video player. | Export SRT or VTT when the text must sit on a video. |
| Recording with a plan to fix everything in the text editor later | Editing by text helps with wording, but a muffled recording still gives a poor transcript to start from. | Put the microphone close and check a minute of sound before the long session. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potok a replacement for Descript?
Only for the transcription step. Descript edits audio and video by editing the text, and Potok is a transcription bot, not an editor. If you only need the words from a recording, the bot is enough.
How many recognition languages does Descript state?
According to its help center it supports 26 languages for recognition. Potok works in about 30 languages with good published results, plus a few with warnings.
Does Potok make captions in other languages?
No. Potok does not translate transcripts. Descript states captions in 61 languages, plus regional variants, which matters if you publish video for several audiences.
Which formats can I export?
Descript lists DOCX, HTML, MD, TXT and RTF. Potok exports TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT, so subtitle files come straight from the chat.
Does Descript have a Telegram bot?
Its public pages do not mention one. Potok works as a Telegram bot, @potok_now_bot.
Which should I try first for a podcast?
If you edit the episode itself, try Descript. If you only want show notes or a quotable transcript from the finished file, send it to @potok_now_bot and compare the text it returns.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Descript, official website, Descript · checked
- Whisper speech recognition system (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram