MacWhisper vs Potok

By the Potok teamUpdated ~2 min read

MacWhisper lists 100 languages against about 30 for Potok, and it translates transcripts with a DeepL key or Whisper translate, which Potok does not do. MacWhisper exports more formats, including CSV and HTML; Potok runs in Telegram with files up to 2 GB and Speaker 1, 2 labels.

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About 30 languages · speaker labels and timestamps · files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT

In short

  • MacWhisper exports SRT, VTT, CSV, DOCX, PDF, Markdown and HTML.
  • MacWhisper offers automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series Macs.
  • MacWhisper does not state a file limit on its public pages.
  • MacWhisper states no Telegram bot; Potok runs as @potok_now_bot.
  • On speaker labels, MacWhisper lists Yes, automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series Macs, and Potok lists Yes, can be switched on.

The two compared

At a glance
MacWhisperPotok
Recognition languages100 languagesAbout 30
Translation of transcriptsYes, with a DeepL key or Whisper translateNot available
Speaker labelsYes, automatic speaker recognition on Pro with M-series MacsYes, can be switched on
Export formatsSRT, VTT, CSV, DOCX, PDF, Markdown, HTMLTXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT
Telegram botNot stated on its public pagesYes, @potok_now_bot
Largest fileNot stated on its public pagesUp 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.

What Potok can do
TopicAnswer
TranslationThe text keeps the language of the audio and is not translated
Save asTXT, MD, DOCX and PDF for text; SRT and VTT for subtitles
SummaryA summary button under the transcript gives a short digest
AccessThe Telegram bot @potok_now_bot, plus its mini app for big uploads
LanguagesAround 30 languages have good published results; a few more come with warnings

What people get wrong here

Common mistakes and how to fix them
SlipResultRemedy
Expecting speaker recognition on any MacIt is listed only on Pro with M-series MacsCheck your Mac and plan before relying on it
Expecting translated transcript text from Potok in another languageThe text stays in the spoken languagePick MacWhisper when you need DeepL or Whisper translate
Assuming MacWhisper limits match Potok on sizeIts file limit is not stated on its pagesTest with your largest file before committing
Choosing Potok for a rarely spoken languageOnly about 30 languages are coveredCheck your language against the MacWhisper list
Reading a vendor line on this page as permanentLists and limits change, so the line can be out of date by the time you read itOpen the vendor page for the current version before you decide

Where to look next

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 MacWhisper recognize?

MacWhisper lists 100 languages, while Potok covers about 30 languages.

Does MacWhisper translate transcripts?

Yes, with a DeepL key or Whisper translate. Potok does not translate text.

Does MacWhisper label speakers?

Yes, automatic speaker recognition is listed on Pro with M-series Macs. Potok offers Speaker 1, 2 labels.

What can Potok export?

TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT, which covers both plain text and subtitles.

How do I use Potok from a phone?

Send audio to @potok_now_bot in Telegram; files up to 2 GB are accepted.

What does the table say about largest file?

For MacWhisper it lists Not stated on its public pages, and for Potok it lists Up to 2 GB. Test one real file in both tools if this line decides your choice. The wording above follows the vendor page as it was read for this comparison.

Sources

The dates show when each source was opened. Pages are edited over time; read the original before you rely on a detail.

  1. MacWhisper, official page, MacWhisper · checked
  2. Whisper speech recognition system (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked

See the result on your recording

Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram, attach the recording and wait: the transcript arrives as a message in the same chat.

Write to @potok_now_bot in Telegram