TurboScribe covers more languages (98+) and translates transcripts into 130+ languages, while Potok covers about 30 languages and does not translate. Potok works inside Telegram, takes files up to 2 GB and also has a desktop dictation app. Choose by language, translation need and where you work.
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
- Choose TurboScribe for a rare language, for translation of the text, or for files above 2 GB.
- Choose Potok if you already work in Telegram and your language is on its list: text comes back in the same chat.
- In our review of public pages we found a Telegram bot only on the Potok side.
- Prices and free limits are left out on purpose. They change often, so check each vendor's site.
At a glance
| TurboScribe | Potok | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition languages | 98+ | About 30 |
| Translation of transcripts | 130+ languages | Not available |
| Speaker labels | Yes | Yes, can be switched on |
| Export formats | TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Telegram bot | None found | Yes, @potok_now_bot |
| Largest file | 10 hours or 5 GB on paid plans | Up to 2 GB |
Facts about TurboScribe come from its public pages and from third-party reviews. They can change; check the vendor's site before you decide.
Where TurboScribe is stronger
- Languages. It states 98+ languages for recognition, against about 30 for Potok. If your language is not on our list of languages, TurboScribe is the better place to look.
- Translation. It translates transcripts into 130+ languages. Potok does not translate transcripts.
- Interface languages. Its site comes in 41 languages.
- Engine. It states that its recognition is based on Whisper, an open speech model released by OpenAI.
- Very large files. Paid plans accept files up to 10 hours or 5 GB, which is more than our 2 GB.
Where Potok differs
- A Telegram bot. You forward a voice message or send a file in the chat, and the text comes back in the same chat. We found no Telegram bot from TurboScribe.
- A dictation app. Besides the bot, Potok has a separate desktop app that lets you dictate text into any program. It recognises Russian speech.
- Export to Markdown. On top of TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT you can export MD.
| 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 |
How to compare them yourself
Take one recording of about five minutes with the kind of voices and noise you usually have. Run it through both tools and compare four things:
- the names and numbers;
- the places where two people speak at once;
- the speaker labels;
- how easy the export is to use.
A short test with your own audio tells you more than any list of features. Mark the places that needed editing in each transcript, and count them. The tool with fewer marks is the better fit for your recordings, whatever the feature lists say.
Which should you choose?
Pick TurboScribe if you need a rare language, translation of the text, or files larger than 2 GB. Pick Potok if you already live in Telegram, your language is covered and you want text back in the chat without leaving it. Prices and plans change often on both sides, so check them on each site before you decide. This page does not quote any.
Try the bot on a short file first. To see how it handles a real recording, read about Telegram voice messages or the steps for MP3 to text. For longer talks with several people, the guide on transcribing an interview covers speaker labels and export. Quality for each language is on pages such as Spanish transcription.
Common mistakes when choosing
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing the number of languages instead of your language | A tool with a longer list can still make more mistakes in the one language you need. | Run a five-minute clip in your language through both tools. |
| Deciding from the feature list alone | Names, numbers and overlapping voices decide how much editing you do, and no list shows that. | Use the same recording, with its real noise, in both tools. |
| Assuming translation is included | Potok keeps the text in the language of the recording and does not translate it. | If you need translation, pick a tool that states it, such as TurboScribe. |
| Trusting prices and limits copied from a review | Plans change often, and a review can be out of date the week it is published. | Read the vendor's own page on the day you decide. |
Frequently asked questions
Is Potok a good TurboScribe alternative?
It depends on what you need. If you work in Telegram, want a bot, and your language is on our list of about 30, it is a fair alternative. If you need many more languages or translation, TurboScribe fits better.
Does Potok translate transcripts like TurboScribe?
No. Potok does not translate transcripts into other languages. TurboScribe states translation into 130+ languages.
How many languages does each tool support?
TurboScribe states 98+ languages. Potok works in about 30 languages with good published results, plus a few more with warnings.
Which export formats do they offer?
Both export TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT. Potok also exports MD.
Does TurboScribe have a Telegram bot?
We found none in our review of its public pages. Potok works as a Telegram bot, @potok_now_bot.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- TurboScribe public pages, TurboScribe · 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