AssemblyAI Review: Powerful Speech-to-Text API & Audio Intelligence

About Assembly AI

What is Assembly AI?

AssemblyAI is a robust API platform designed to empower developers and businesses with the ability to transform voice data into actionable insights. The software primarily focuses on speech recognition, transcription, and comprehensive audio intelligence capabilities. AssemblyAI’s target audience includes developers, data scientists, and businesses that require advanced voice processing tools. AssemblyAI addresses challenges related to accurate speech-to-text transcription, speaker detection, content moderation, and topic identification, providing solutions for various industries including customer support, media, and accessibility.

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Unlocking the Power of Voice Data with AssemblyAI

AssemblyAI stands at the forefront of speech AI, offering industry-leading models that deliver superhuman accuracy in transcription and audio understanding. With over 93% accuracy and capabilities to handle multiple languages, AssemblyAI transforms voice data into valuable insights. Its user-friendly API allows developers to integrate advanced features like automatic language detection, speaker diarization, and sentiment analysis quickly and efficiently. The platform is designed with security in mind, ensuring compliance with GDPR, PCI-DSS, and SOC standards, making it suitable for businesses that prioritize data privacy. AssemblyAI’s commitment to innovation ensures that users benefit from continuous updates and improvements, allowing them to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of speech AI.

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Stand Out with AssemblyAI’s Unique Offerings

AssemblyAI distinguishes itself from competitors through several key factors:

• Superior Accuracy: Offers the industry’s lowest Word Error Rate (WER) and superior performance in noisy environments.
• Comprehensive Features: Provides a wide array of functionalities including speaker detection, automatic language detection, and PII redaction.
• Developer-Focused API: Detailed, easy-to-understand documentation with code examples allows for quick integration and prototyping.
• Scalable Pricing Model: Users only pay for what they use, with volume discounts available, making it cost-efficient for businesses of all sizes.
• Dedicated Support Team: Access to a team of AI experts who provide robust support and guidance, ensuring effective use of the platform.

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Who Can Benefit from AssemblyAI?

AssemblyAI is best suited for a diverse range of user groups, including:

User Group	Description	Use Cases
Developers	Individuals building applications requiring voice processing.	Integrating transcription features in apps.
Data Scientists	Professionals analyzing voice data for insights.	Conducting sentiment analysis on customer calls.
Businesses	Organizations needing reliable voice services for operations.	Automating customer support with voice assistants.
Content Creators	Creators looking to transcribe and analyze audio or video content.	Creating searchable transcripts for podcasts or videos.
Accessibility Advocates	Users focused on improving accessibility through voice services.	Developing solutions for the hearing impaired via accurate transcription.

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Features

Reporting

AssemblyAI provides comprehensive reporting capabilities that allow businesses to track key metrics related to their audio data. Users can monitor transcription accuracy, speaker identification rates, and the effectiveness of audio intelligence features such as summarization and sentiment analysis. These metrics help businesses understand how well they are utilizing voice data and enable them to optimize their processes accordingly. Advanced analytics allow for insights into usage patterns, which can guide better decision-making and resource allocation.

Integrations

AssemblyAI offers robust integrations with various platforms that enhance its functionality and streamline workflows. Key integrations include popular communication tools, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and data analytics platforms. These integrations allow users to automatically transcribe calls, generate insights, and incorporate voice data into their existing workflows without the need for manual intervention. Such integrations help businesses leverage AssemblyAI’s capabilities within their operational ecosystems.

Mobile Apps

Currently, AssemblyAI does not provide dedicated mobile applications. However, their services are designed to be accessible via mobile devices through web interfaces. This allows users to utilize AssemblyAI’s transcription and audio intelligence capabilities on the go, facilitating remote work and accessibility for users who need to manage voice data outside of traditional office environments.

Single Sign-On SSO

AssemblyAI supports Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations, which enhance user convenience and security. This feature allows users to log in to AssemblyAI using their existing credentials from compatible platforms like Google, Microsoft, or enterprise identity providers. By implementing SSO, AssemblyAI streamlines the authentication process, reduces password fatigue for users, and enhances security through centralized access management.

Automation

AssemblyAI provides various automation features that help save time and optimize workflows. For instance, their speech-to-text model can automatically transcribe audio files, while advanced audio intelligence features like summarization and topic detection can quickly generate insights from large volumes of voice data. This automation reduces manual effort and allows organizations to focus on higher-value tasks, such as analyzing and acting on the insights generated.

Security

AssemblyAI employs stringent security measures to ensure data protection and privacy. Their platform is compliant with industry standards such as GDPR and SOC 2. This includes encryption of data both in transit and at rest, regular security audits, and robust access controls. AssemblyAI prioritizes the confidentiality and integrity of user data, making it a reliable choice for businesses that handle sensitive information.

API

AssemblyAI offers a powerful API that allows developers to integrate its speech-to-text and audio intelligence capabilities into their applications. The API provides extensive customization options, enabling users to tailor the transcription process to meet specific needs. Key features include support for multiple languages, real-time streaming transcription, and advanced audio processing capabilities. This flexibility allows organizations to create unique applications that leverage AssemblyAI’s technology to enhance user experiences.

Deployment

AssemblyAI primarily operates as a cloud-based service, which offers several advantages such as scalability, ease of access, and reduced infrastructure costs. Cloud deployment allows users to quickly access resources without the need for extensive on-premises hardware. However, the reliance on internet connectivity for cloud services can be a disadvantage in scenarios where network reliability is a concern. There are currently no on-premises deployment options available.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High accuracy in speech-to-text transcription.
• Advanced audio intelligence features like summarization and sentiment analysis.
• Flexible API for easy integration and customization.
• Strong security compliance with industry standards.

Cons:

• Lack of dedicated mobile applications for enhanced access.
• Dependency on cloud infrastructure may pose challenges in low-connectivity areas.
• Limited deployment options, with no on-premises solutions available.

Location

Locations and Branches

Location Type	Country	City	Address
Headquarters	United States	San Francisco	2261 Market Street #4577

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Support Options

Support Type	Description	Availability
Email	Contact support via email for issues, questions, or feedback.	24/7
Phone	Phone support options available for urgent queries.	Limited availability
Live Chat	Live chat support available through account login.	24/7
Ticket System	Create a support ticket for assistance and queries.	24/7

History and Team

Year Founded

AssemblyAI was founded in 2017.

Number of Employees

AssemblyAI currently has approximately 125 employees.

Team

Below is a table showcasing the founders and key team members of AssemblyAI along with their respective positions:

Name	Position
Dylan Fox	CEO and Founder
Jessi Waters	COO
Christy Roach	VP of Marketing
Takuya Yoshioka	Director of Research
Travis Kupsche	Director of Engineering
Eric Jensen	Head of Sales
Ryan Seams	Head of Customer Success
Nicholas Johnson	Head of Finance
Meghan Colón	Head of People
Dan Pincus	Head of Legal, Compliance, and IT
Matthew Bishop	Head of Business Operations

AssemblyAI is a leader in creating advanced speech AI models that help recognize, understand, and process human speech, making their technology accessible to developers and enterprises alike.

Pricing

AssemblyAI Pricing Plans

Plan Type	Features	Pricing Details
Free	Access to Speech-to-Text and Audio Intelligence models Speech recognition Speaker diarization Custom spelling and vocabulary Profanity filtering, auto punctuation, and casing Compliance with EU Data Residency standards Developer docs and community support	$50 in free credits Ideal for developers looking to prototype with Speech AI
Pay as you go	Unlimited access to Speech-to-Text, Audio Intelligence, and LeMUR Streaming Speech-to-Text Concurrency starting at 200 files and 100 streams Technical support via live chat and email	Starting at $0.12/hour for Speech-to-Text Most popular option Cancel anytime
Custom	Personalized plan for teams building products at scale Volume discounts up to 50% Dedicated technical support with response time under one hour Customized rate limits Customized SLAs and SLOs Early access to new models and model improvements	Contact for pricing Self-hosted deployments (On-prem, VPC) (Coming soon)

Additional Pricing Details for Features

Feature Category	Details	Pricing
Speech-to-Text	Build on top of the most accurate Speech-to-Text model	$0.12 – $0.37/hour (based on volume)
Streaming Speech-to-Text	Transcribe live audio and video files synchronously	$0.47/hour (lower rates based on volume)
Audio Intelligence	Analyze and extract insights from voice data	Varies by feature (e.g., Entity Detection – $0.08/hour)
LeMUR	Apply LLMs to voice data	$0.003 – $0.015 per 1K tokens (Input & Output)

Rate Limits

Limit Type	Free Plan	Pay as You Go Plan	Custom Plan
Hours of audio	Up to 416 hours	Unlimited	Unlimited
Concurrency	5 files	Starting at 200 files	Talk to us

Security and Privacy

• GDPR Compliance
• PCI-DSS Compliance
• SOC 2 Type 1/Type 2 Compliance
• EU Data Residency

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the differences between Speech-to-Text tiers?
• Can I sign up for free?
• Do you offer volume discounts?
• How fast does it take for audio and video files to process?
• How does billing work?
• How is multichannel billed?
• What languages do you support?
• What is a token?

Get Started

• Start building for free
• Contact sales for custom plans

Funding and market

Industry:

AssemblyAI operates within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, with a specific focus on speech recognition and natural language processing. The company specializes in providing AI-powered speech-to-text services, enabling the transcription and understanding of audio data. This technology is crucial as voice interfaces become more prevalent in applications like customer service, content creation, and accessibility tools. AssemblyAI is recognized for its state-of-the-art Speech AI models, which are used by enterprises and developers to enhance their products and services.

Market:

The global speech and voice recognition market, in which AssemblyAI operates, is projected to grow significantly from USD 12.63 billion in 2023 to approximately USD 56.07 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 19.1%. This growth is driven by the integration of AI technologies, the increasing use of voice-activated devices, and the rising demand for voice biometrics in security applications. AssemblyAI is strategically positioned within this market, competing with major players like Google and Amazon. Their focus on providing developer-friendly APIs and advanced speech recognition technology has allowed them to carve out a notable presence in this rapidly expanding sector.

Funding:

AssemblyAI has successfully raised a total of $115 million in funding through multiple investment rounds. The most recent round, a Series C, secured $50 million on December 3, 2023. The funding was led by Accel, with participation from several prominent investors, demonstrating strong confidence in AssemblyAI’s AI-driven speech technology. While details of previous funding rounds (such as Series A and Series B) are less specific, the company has shown consistent growth and garnered substantial investment to fuel its operations and technological advancements.

Stocks:

AssemblyAI is a privately held company and is not publicly traded. As such, it does not have a ticker symbol or shares listed on stock exchanges like the NYSE or Nasdaq. While privately held companies may issue stock internally among founders, employees, and investors, AssemblyAI’s shares are not available for public trading. At this time, there is no indication that the company plans to go public or conduct an IPO. Interested investors would need to explore private investment opportunities for any potential involvement with AssemblyAI’s equity.

Sources: Information about AssemblyAI’s funding and market position can be found on their official website and through trusted financial news outlets like TechCrunch.

Latest news

AssemblyAI Recent Updates and News

Here are the latest updates and announcements from AssemblyAI in 2023:

1. Series C Funding Milestone:
   • AssemblyAI announced a successful $50 million Series C funding round aimed at further developing advanced Speech AI models. This was highlighted on their official blog.
2. Launch of Conformer-2 AI Model:
   • Building on Conformer-1, the Conformer-2 model offers improved recognition of proper nouns and alphanumeric sequences, as well as better performance in noisy environments. It was trained on over 1.1 million hours of English audio. More information can be found here.
3. Introduction of the LeMUR Framework:
   • AssemblyAI released LeMUR, a framework that integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) with spoken data for tasks like summarization, questioning, and text generation. Learn more about LeMUR here.
4. Partnership with AWS Marketplace:
   • AssemblyAI partnered with AWS Marketplace to simplify the integration of AWS services with AssemblyAI’s offerings. Details about this partnership are available here.
5. Enhanced AI Models:
   • Significant updates were made to AI models for PII Redaction, Entity Detection, and Punctuation and Casing, improving their accuracy and performance for voice data processing. You can find more about the updates here.
6. No-Code Playground:
   • AssemblyAI introduced a redesigned, user-friendly no-code playground, simplifying and accelerating AI application development. Explore the playground here.
7. SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance:
   • AssemblyAI achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification, reaffirming their commitment to data security and compliance. Read about this certification here.

For detailed reading and further updates, check the following resources:

• AssemblyAI Blog
• 2023 Year in Review
• Y Combinator Profile

These sources provide a comprehensive view of AssemblyAI’s recent developments, funding achievements, and advancements in Speech AI technology.

Search Trends

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Analysis of AssemblyAI’s Search Volume and Popularity Trends

Search Volume Data for Keywords Related to AssemblyAI

Here is the tabulated data showcasing the search volumes, competition, and related values for keywords associated with AssemblyAI:

Keyword	Search Volume	Competition	Competition Index	Low Top of Page Bid	High Top of Page Bid	Cost Per Click (CPC)
speech-to-text API	880	LOW	27	5.79	18	21.84
speech recognition	2900	LOW	18	2.5	10.75	13.35
audio summarization	170	MEDIUM	36	1.12	2.91	2.66
speaker detection	30	LOW	3	None	None	None
AssemblyAI API	50	LOW	22	1.9	13.77	3.39
AssemblyAI speech-to-text	20	LOW	30	1.09	9.09	6.95
AssemblyAI streaming API	None	None	None	None	None	None
AssemblyAI features	None	None	None	None	None	None
AssemblyAI developer API	None	None	None	None	None	None
speech understanding API	None	None	None	None	None	None

This data indicates that generic keywords like “speech recognition” and “speech-to-text API” have significantly higher search volumes compared to AssemblyAI-specific terms.

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Trend Analysis and Popularity Observations

1. General Popularity:
   • “Speech recognition” holds the highest search volume with 2900 searches, reflecting strong interest in this broader category.
   • “Speech-to-text API” follows with 880 searches, pointing to demand for API-based speech solutions.
2. AssemblyAI-Specific Keywords:
   • Keywords like “AssemblyAI API” (50 searches) and “AssemblyAI speech-to-text” (20 searches) have relatively low search volumes, indicating limited brand recognition compared to broader industry terms.
3. Competition and CPC:
   • The competition is predominantly low for most keywords, with “audio summarization” being a notable exception with medium competition.
   • “Speech-to-text API” has the highest CPC of $21.84, highlighting its commercial potential.
4. Significant Observations:
   • The disparity in search volumes between generic and AssemblyAI-specific terms suggests that while the technology is in demand, the brand could benefit from improved visibility.

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Reasons Behind the Observed Trends

Insights from relevant blog posts and articles reveal the following reasons for the observed trends:

1. Technological Capabilities:
   • AssemblyAI provides cutting-edge speech-to-text solutions, as evidenced by its partnerships with companies like EdgeTier, which relies on AssemblyAI’s accurate transcription for its conversation intelligence platform (source).
2. Client Success Stories:
   • Case studies, such as EdgeTier’s adoption of AssemblyAI, demonstrate the platform’s role in enabling enterprises to expand into new markets and capture large contracts (source).
3. Market Position:
   • While AssemblyAI’s offerings are robust, its lower brand recognition compared to generic terms like “speech recognition” explains the higher search volumes for the latter. Efforts to target these broader terms could enhance visibility (source).
4. Educational Content:
   • AssemblyAI’s blog provides insights on automatic speech recognition, conversation intelligence, and customer success stories, which contribute to its reputation as a thought leader in the field (source).

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Review

Customers

Notable companies and organizations leveraging AssemblyAI software include Amazon Web Services, which integrates AssemblyAI’s machine learning models for audio data analysis. Various enterprises utilize AssemblyAI’s generative AI applications to enhance customer interactions and automate operational tasks. Specific use cases include using AssemblyAI for speech recognition and summarization to make audio content searchable, generate summaries and action items from meetings, and apply advanced LLMs for various business processes. AssemblyAI also provides case studies that highlight successful implementations across different industries, showcasing its impact on improving efficiency and fostering innovation.

Alternatives

Software	Features	Pricing	Target Audience
AssemblyAI	Speech-to-text API Customizable models Real-time transcription Audio intelligence features	Pay-as-you-go pricing (starting around $0.0008 per second)	Developers, startups, and enterprises looking for speech recognition solutions
Deepgram	Up to 40% more accurate than AssemblyAI 5x faster transcription Custom model training Enterprise security	Starts at $0.0015 per second; Free tier available	Businesses needing high accuracy and speed in transcription, especially in specialized fields
SpeechFlow	High transcription accuracy (up to 98.1%) Quick results (less than 5% of file length) Supports various file types	Free trial (5 hours/month) Paid plans vary based on usage	Organizations looking for efficient and accurate transcription tools
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text	Supports over 120 languages Real-time streaming Voice recognition with punctuation	Pricing based on usage, starting at $0.006 per 15 seconds	Developers, enterprises, and applications requiring robust voice recognition capabilities
Whisper	Open-source speech recognition Multi-language support Can be run on local machines	Free (self-hosted)	Developers and researchers looking for customizable and budget-friendly options