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This is a TRANSCRIPTION provider. It converts your speech to text. For AI enhancement like grammar correction, see AI Enhancement Providers.

Overview

OpenAI Whisper API is the official cloud transcription service from OpenAI. It provides high-quality speech-to-text using the same Whisper model architecture that powers WhisperKit, but processed on OpenAI’s servers. Key Benefits:
  • High accuracy across 100+ languages
  • Automatic language detection
  • Official OpenAI support and reliability
  • Works on any Mac (no Apple Silicon required)

Setup Instructions

1

Create OpenAI Account

Visit platform.openai.com and sign up or log in
2

Add Payment Method

Go to SettingsBilling → Add a payment method
OpenAI requires a payment method. Whisper API costs ~$0.006 per minute of audio.
3

Generate API Key

Go to API KeysCreate new secret key → Copy the key immediately
API keys are shown only once. Store it securely before continuing.
4

Add to Stenox

Open Stenox Settings → Providers tab → OpenAI → Paste your API key
5

Select as Transcription Provider

In your Profile settings, set Transcription Provider to OpenAI Whisper

Pricing

OpenAI Whisper API is pay-per-use:
Audio DurationCost
1 minute~$0.006
10 minutes~$0.06
1 hour~$0.36
10 hours~$3.60
For cost-effective cloud transcription, consider Groq Whisper (free tier) or DeepGram ($200 free credits).

Language Support

OpenAI Whisper supports 100+ languages:
  • European: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian
  • Asian: Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian
  • Middle Eastern: Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian
  • And many more…
Configure your preferred language in Profile settings, or use auto-detection.

When to Use OpenAI Whisper

OpenAI Ecosystem

Already using OpenAI for other services (GPT-4, DALL-E, etc.)

Multi-language

Need high-quality transcription across multiple languages

Intel Mac

Running on Intel Mac where WhisperKit is slower

Official Support

Want the reliability of official OpenAI infrastructure

When to Consider Alternatives

  • Budget-conscious: Groq Whisper offers free tier
  • Maximum privacy: WhisperKit runs locally
  • Maximum accuracy: DeepGram Nova-3 often outperforms

Troubleshooting

  • Verify you copied the complete key
  • Check the key is active in OpenAI dashboard
  • Ensure billing is set up (required even for new accounts)
  • OpenAI has usage limits based on account tier
  • Wait a few minutes or upgrade your account tier
  • Consider using Groq Whisper as a fallback
  • Set specific language in Profile settings instead of auto-detect
  • Ensure you’re speaking clearly in the expected language

Next Steps