Choose Whisper Web if…
- You want ongoing free transcription, not a trial
- You do not want to pay by the hour
- The file should stay in your browser
Choose Sonix if…
- You need speaker labels
- You translate transcripts into many languages
- You want burned-in subtitles or AI analysis
Whisper Web vs Sonix at a glance
| Feature | Whisper Web | Sonix |
|---|---|---|
| Free use | Whisper Web20 minutes and 200 MB per file, ongoing | Sonix30-minute free trial |
| Pay as you go | Whisper WebFree files cost nothing | SonixUS$10 an hour |
| Subscription | Whisper WebUS$20/mo, no hour cap | SonixCore US$25/mo for 5 hours |
| Languages | Whisper Web99 | Sonix54+ |
| Translation | Whisper WebInto English | Sonix54+ languages |
| Speaker labels | Whisper WebNot automatic | SonixSpeaker labels and voiceprint |
| Exports | Whisper WebTXT, Word, JSON, SRT, VTT | SonixDOCX, PDF, TXT, SRT, VTT |
| Burned-in subtitles | Whisper WebNot provided | SonixProvided |
Sonix facts from its official pages, checked 8 Nov 2026. Confirm current plans on each site.
Price
Whisper Web
Free local mode transcribes files up to 20 minutes and 200 MB each in your browser, with no account. The file is not uploaded for transcription. Unlimited is US$20 a month or US$120 a year for cloud transcription of files up to 10 hours or 5 GB.
Sonix
Pay as you go is US$10 an hour. Core is US$25 a month (US$275 a year) for 5 hours, Advanced US$50 for 20 hours and Pro US$80 for 40 hours; extra hours are US$10. The free trial is 30 minutes with no card.
Verdict
Ten hours on Sonix pay as you go cost US$100; on Whisper Web Unlimited they cost US$20 for the month. Short files are free on Whisper Web.
Editing and output
Whisper Web
Review in the browser editor with playback, then export TXT, Word (DOCX), JSON, SRT and VTT.
Sonix
Sonix has an in-browser editor with a custom dictionary, speaker labels, AI summaries and chapters, and burned-in subtitles on video.
Verdict
Sonix offers more post-processing. Whisper Web gives you the core files faster and for less.
Where Sonix is stronger
Speaker labels and voiceprints, translation into 54+ languages, AI summaries and chapters, burned-in subtitles, team folders and a medical model. Whisper Web does not label speakers or translate beyond English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Sonix alternative?
Whisper Web: files up to 20 minutes and 200 MB are transcribed free in your browser, with no account and no trial end date.
How much does Sonix cost?
As listed on 8 Nov 2026: US$10 an hour on pay as you go, or Core at US$25 a month for 5 hours, Advanced at US$50 for 20 hours and Pro at US$80 for 40 hours.
Does Whisper Web label speakers like Sonix?
No. It produces a continuous, timestamped transcript; add speaker names while you edit.
Can Whisper Web burn subtitles into a video?
No. Export SRT or VTT and add them in your video editor or platform.