Riverside and Potok differ most in language reach: Riverside states Over 100 languages and dialects, against about 30 for Potok. Riverside exports SRT and TXT and bases speaker labels on separate audio tracks, while Potok exports six formats and runs inside Telegram.
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
- Riverside speaker labels rely on separate audio tracks; Potok labels speakers in a single mixed file as Speaker 1, Speaker 2.
- Riverside's export list is SRT and TXT; Potok adds MD, DOCX, PDF and VTT.
- Riverside's public pages do not state a largest file; Potok takes one file up to 2 GB.
- Neither tool offers confirmed translation: Riverside does not state it and Potok has none.
- Speaker labels: Riverside lists Yes, based on separate audio tracks, and Potok lists Yes, can be switched on.
At a glance
| Riverside | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | Over 100 languages and dialects | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | Not stated on its public pages | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Yes, based on separate audio tracks | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | SRT and TXT | 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 Riverside 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Expecting track-based speaker labels from a single file | Voices in one mixed file are labelled by sound, not by track. | Know which input your speaker labels depend on. |
| Picking Riverside only for its 100-language list | Your actual language may be fine on a shorter list. | Check your language on both lists before deciding. |
| Assuming Riverside exports DOCX or PDF | Its list names only SRT and TXT, so documents need conversion. | Match the export list to your final deliverable. |
| Assuming a missing file limit means there is no cap | A large recording may fail after a long upload. | Ask the vendor for the cap or test with a big file. |
| 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
Do Riverside speaker labels need separate tracks?
Yes, Riverside bases them on separate audio tracks. Potok works from one file and can switch labels on, numbering the speakers.
Which formats can I export from Riverside?
It lists SRT and TXT. Potok exports TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT, which covers both documents and subtitles.
Does Riverside state a maximum file size?
Not on its public pages. Potok states one file up to 2 GB, with larger ones sent through the Upload button.
How do I start with Potok in Telegram?
Open @potok_now_bot, send your recording, and wait for the transcript to return in the chat as text or a file.
Why would I pick a tool with fewer languages?
If your language is among about 30 published ones, the format and file limits may matter more than the length of the list.
What does the table say about export formats?
For Riverside it lists SRT and TXT, and for Potok it lists TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT. 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.
- Riverside, official page, Riverside · 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