MacWhisper states 100 languages and translates with a DeepL key or Whisper translate, while Potok covers about 30 languages and has no translation. MacWhisper names no file limit; Potok accepts up to 2 GB through its Telegram bot, and speaker labels there are numbered, as Speaker 1.
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
- MacWhisper's automatic speaker recognition is on Pro with M-series Macs; Potok can switch labels on from any device that runs Telegram.
- MacWhisper exports SRT, VTT, CSV, DOCX, PDF, Markdown and HTML; Potok exports TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT.
- MacWhisper's public pages do not state a largest file; Potok states 2 GB.
- MacWhisper's public pages do not mention a Telegram bot, whereas Potok is one.
- Translation of transcripts: MacWhisper lists Yes, with a DeepL key or Whisper translate, and Potok lists Not available.
At a glance
| MacWhisper | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | 100 languages | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | Yes, with a DeepL key or Whisper translate | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Yes, automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series Macs | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | SRT, VTT, CSV, DOCX, PDF, Markdown, HTML | 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 MacWhisper 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming speaker recognition works on every Mac | Labels appear only on Pro with M-series Macs. | Check your plan and Mac model against the statement. |
| Expecting the Telegram bot to return text in another language | The text comes back only in the spoken language. | Pick MacWhisper or another tool when translation matters. |
| Choosing by export list alone | CSV or HTML may matter less than where you work. | Name the formats you really open before comparing. |
| Guessing a file size limit that is not stated | A large file may fail after you rely on it. | Test with your largest file before a deadline. |
| Reading a vendor line on this page as permanent | Lists and limits change, so the line can be out of date by the time you read it | Open the vendor page for the current version before you decide |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Which tool translates a transcript, MacWhisper or Potok?
MacWhisper does, with a DeepL key or Whisper translate. Potok does not translate text, so you would translate elsewhere.
Does MacWhisper label speakers on any Mac?
It states automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series Macs. Potok can switch labels on without that hardware requirement.
Which formats come from MacWhisper?
SRT, VTT, CSV, DOCX, PDF, Markdown and HTML. Potok gives TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT, without CSV or HTML.
Can I use Potok on a device that is not a Mac?
Yes, anywhere Telegram runs. Open @potok_now_bot, send the file, and the transcript returns in the chat.
Is MacWhisper's file limit stated?
Its public pages do not state a largest file. Potok states one file up to 2 GB, with bigger ones via the Upload button.
What does the table say about speaker labels?
For MacWhisper it lists Yes, automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series Macs, and for Potok it lists Yes, can be switched on. Check the vendor page for the current wording before you decide.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- MacWhisper, official page, MacWhisper · 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