Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Microsoft Slashes AI Transcription Price, But Discount Expires in 2026
Microsoft made a new computer program that turns speech into written words.
It costs $0.10 for one hour of audio during an introductory period.
That is much cheaper than Microsoft’s earlier transcription model.
The low price could encourage companies to use Microsoft’s other products and services.
It may also put pressure on companies such as OpenAI, Google and ElevenLabs.
However, the $0.10 price is only promised through the end of 2026.
Microsoft has not announced the price after that date.
Outside researchers also still need to test whether the model is really as fast and accurate as Microsoft says.
Microsoft AI launched MAI-Transcribe-2 at $0.10 per hour of audio.
The price is about 72 percent below Microsoft’s previous $0.36-per-hour rate.
The introductory price is scheduled to remain in effect through the end of 2026.
MAI-Transcribe-2 is available through Microsoft Foundry and the MAI Playground, with OpenRouter availability planned.
Microsoft says the model is fast, accurate and inexpensive, but independent benchmarks have not yet verified those claims.
- Who
- Microsoft AI and its MAI-Transcribe-2 model; competing services include OpenAI, Google and ElevenLabs.
- What
- Microsoft launched a speech-recognition model priced at $0.10 per hour of audio, roughly 72 percent below its previous model’s price.
- When
- The new model is available now, while the introductory price runs through the end of 2026.
- Where
- It is available through Microsoft Foundry and the MAI Playground; OpenRouter availability is described as coming soon.
- Why
- Microsoft appears to be treating transcription as a supporting utility for products and services such as meeting summaries, accessibility, customer service and AI agents.
- New model
- MAI-Transcribe-2
- Introductory price
- $0.10 per hour of audio, or about $1.67 per 1,000 minutes
- Previous Microsoft price
- MAI-Transcribe-1 launched at $0.36 per hour
- Price reduction
- Approximately 72 percent compared with the previous Microsoft rate
- Price expiration
- The introductory rate expires at the end of 2026
- Availability
- Microsoft Foundry and the MAI Playground; OpenRouter is expected to follow
- Unverified claims
- Reports cite roughly tenfold speed gains and a team of about ten people, but these figures lack independent verification