Choosing Speechmatics or Potok starts with scope: Speechmatics states 56+ languages and translation over 30 languages to and from English, while Potok covers about 30 languages and has none. Speechmatics exports JSON, TXT and SRT and takes under 1 GB in the request body; Potok takes 2 GB in Telegram.
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Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- Speechmatics states speaker labels; Potok can switch them on and numbers speakers as Speaker 1, Speaker 2.
- Speechmatics' size limit applies to uploads in the request body, which concerns developers sending files by code.
- Speechmatics exports JSON, TXT and SRT; Potok adds MD, DOCX, PDF and VTT.
- Speechmatics' public pages do not mention a Telegram bot; Potok runs as @potok_now_bot in Telegram.
- Speaker labels: Speechmatics lists Yes, and Potok lists Yes, can be switched on.
At a glance
| Speechmatics | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | 56+ languages | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | Over 30 languages, to and from English | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Yes | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | JSON, TXT, SRT | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Telegram bot | Not stated on its public pages | Yes, @potok_now_bot |
| Largest file | Under 1 GB when uploaded in the request body | Up to 2 GB |
Facts about Speechmatics 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 Speechmatics for translation into any language | Its translation works to and from English only. | Check that your language pair involves English. |
| Sending a file near 1 GB in the request body | The upload can fail because the stated limit is below 1 GB. | Keep the file under the limit or split it. |
| Needing JSON from a chat bot | A data pipeline expects JSON and gets documents instead. | Choose the tool whose export list names JSON. |
| Counting 56+ languages without testing yours | Quality in your language may differ from the headline. | Run a short sample in your own language. |
| 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
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Which tool translates transcripts, Speechmatics or Potok?
Speechmatics translates over 30 languages, to and from English. Potok does not translate text.
How large a file can Speechmatics take?
It states under 1 GB when the file goes in the request body. Potok accepts one file up to 2 GB.
What formats does Speechmatics export?
JSON, TXT and SRT. Potok gives TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT, without JSON.
Do I need to write code to use Potok?
No. Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram, send the file, and the transcript comes back in the chat.
Does Speechmatics identify speakers?
Yes, it states speaker labels. Potok can switch them on and keeps them as numbers, never real names.
What does the table say about export formats?
For Speechmatics it lists JSON, TXT, SRT, 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.
- Speechmatics, official page, Speechmatics · checked
- Speechmatics, official page (docs.speechmatics.com), Speechmatics · checked
- Speechmatics, official page (docs.speechmatics.com), Speechmatics · 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