Descript review

Descript treats the transcript as the editing timeline. Upload a podcast or interview, and the recording is transcribed into text you can cut, rearrange and clean up, with the audio and video following along. That is a different job from plain transcription, and for podcasters it removes a step. Speaker detection handles eight or more speakers and Speaker Detective plays a clip of each voice so you can name them. Multitrack transcription reads synchronized recordings with each speaker on a separate track, which improves labeling for remote interviews. Hobbyist costs $16 per person per month billed annually, or $24 monthly, with 10 media hours, 400 AI credits and 1080p watermark-free export. Creator at $24 raises that to 30 media hours. Transcription covers 25 languages, fewer than most rivals here, and if you only need text, you are paying for an editor you may not use.

Who it is for

Podcasters and video creators who want transcription and editing in one tool.

Price

Free plan; Hobbyist from $16 per person per month billed annually.

Hobbyist $ 16 $ 24 per person / month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Text-based editing of audio and video
• Transcription in 25 languages
• Speaker detection for 8+ speakers
• Multitrack transcription for separate tracks
• Studio Sound and Remove Filler Words AI tools

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Edit audio and video by editing the transcript
• Strength: Multitrack transcription labels speakers on separate tracks
• Strength: Free plan to try text-based editing
• Weakness: Transcription covers 25 languages
• Weakness: Hobbyist includes 10 media hours a month
• Weakness: Higher price than transcription-only tools

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes
• Plans: Free, Hobbyist, Creator, Business, Enterprise
• Transcription languages: 25
• Media hours: 10 a month on Hobbyist, 30 on Creator, 40 on Business

Where it ranks

Descript is No. 4 in our Best AI Transcription Software verdict and No. 1 in Best AI Video Editors and No. 5 in Best AI Voice Generators.