The limit that decides Descript versus Potok is language count: Descript lists 26 recognition languages according to its help center, while Potok covers about 30 with good published results. Descript adds captions in 61 languages; Potok has no translation but works through a Telegram bot and accepts files up to 2 GB.
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Up to 2 GB per file · speaker labels and timestamps · six export formats · about 30 languages
Facts that matter here
- Descript produces captions in 61 languages plus regional variants, but Potok has no text translation.
- Descript exports DOCX, HTML, MD, TXT and RTF; Potok exports TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT.
- Descript does not state a largest file on public pages, and Potok accepts up to 2 GB.
- Telegram bot: Descript lists Not stated on its public pages, and Potok lists Yes, @potok_now_bot.
The two compared
| 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.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dictation | The separate desktop app of Potok dictates into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
| Recognition | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| What you can send | Audio, video and voice messages |
| Output formats | Six formats: TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
Common mistakes when choosing
| What goes wrong | Effect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Needing SRT or VTT subtitles but relying on Descript export formats | Subtitle files are missing from the export list | Check subtitle formats or choose Potok for SRT and VTT |
| Treating the 61 caption languages as 61 recognition languages | Recognition support is narrower than expected | Compare recognition and caption counts separately |
| Expecting Potok to offer captions in other languages | Only the spoken language is transcribed | Use Descript when multilingual captions matter |
| Not testing your language in either tool | Accuracy for your speech stays unknown | Run one short sample in both tools |
| Skipping a test with one real file of your own | Published lists say little about how your voices and noise are handled | Run the same five-minute clip through both tools and compare the text |
More
Languages are listed on the languages page; converters and calculators are in tools; terms are explained in the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
How many languages does Descript recognize?
According to its help center Descript recognizes 26 languages, slightly fewer than the about 30 of Potok.
Does Descript export subtitle files?
The formats it lists are DOCX, HTML, MD, TXT and RTF, with no SRT or VTT shown, while Potok exports both.
Is there a Telegram bot for transcription?
Yes, you can send audio to @potok_now_bot in Telegram and receive the transcript back in the same chat.
What is the largest file Potok accepts?
One file can be up to 2 GB, and anything larger goes through the Upload button in the bot mini-app.
Does Potok label speakers?
Yes, speakers appear as Speaker 1, Speaker 2 and so on, not by name, so you rename them in the finished text.
What does the table say about export formats?
For Descript it lists DOCX, HTML, MD, TXT, RTF, and for Potok it lists TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT. Test one real file in both tools if this line decides your choice.
Sources
The dates show when each source was opened. Pages are edited over time; read the original before you rely on a detail.
- Descript, official website, Descript · checked
- Whisper speech recognition system (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Check it on a file of your own
Your recording goes to @potok_now_bot as a file or a voice message, and the transcript returns to you in Telegram.
Go to @potok_now_bot in Telegram