Pepys

Pepys is an AI-powered transcription platform that converts audio and video files or links into speaker-labeled text across over 99 languages. It functions as a pay-as-you-go service without recurring subscription fees or monthly caps. Users can upload various file formats or paste links from external platforms to receive transcripts, AI summaries, and built-in chat features.

• Transcription and translation across 99 plus languages with auto-detection
• Speaker labeling and diarization
• AI-generated summaries, show notes, hooks, and chapters
• Built-in AI chat that answers questions about the transcript content
• Export to TXT, Markdown, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT, and JSON formats
• Batch processing for up to 100 files at once
• Developer API, Model Context Protocol, and webhooks access

Pros

• Pay-as-you-go credit model ensures users only pay for transcribed minutes without recurring subscriptions
• Credits never expire and purchases unlock pro features permanently
• No length limits or monthly caps on file processing
• Privacy protections include no model training on user audio and source file deletion after 30 days

Cons

• Uploads without an account are capped at 500 megabytes and 60 minutes per file
• All sales are final on credit pack purchases
• Pricing varies by volume pack size rather than offering a flat hourly rate across all purchases

Pepys fits podcasters, journalists, students, researchers, teachers, and legal professionals who need to convert audio or video into searchable text and AI-generated notes. It does not fit teams looking for an all-inclusive monthly software subscription with unlimited fixed-tier monthly usage.

Pepys uses a pay-as-you-go credit model where 1 credit equals 1 minute of audio, priced starting at $0.85 per hour at volume. The Forever Free tier offers 60 free minutes on signup, files up to 5 gigabytes and 10 hours each, and access to core features. One-time credit packs include 10 hours for $12.50 ($1.25 per hour), 20 hours for $20, 30 hours for $30, 50 hours for $50, 75 hours for $75, 100 hours for $85, and 200 hours for $170. Custom amounts can be topped up with a minimum of $10, and buying any pack permanently unlocks pro tools like speaker labels, batch processing, word-level timestamps, and custom exports.

Unlike platforms that meter long files, gate exports behind higher subscription plans, or charge monthly fees regardless of usage, Pepys operates entirely on a pay-as-you-go model with no subscriptions and no feature gating. It includes built-in AI tools tailored for formats like podcasts and meetings directly within the editor instead of relying on separate chatbots.

Pepys works with audio and video formats including MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4, and MOV, and exports to TXT, Markdown, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT, and JSON. It accepts links from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and includes support for Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams through file uploads or links.