Speech / TTS · Updated 2026-10-25
OpenAI Audio API — what it is actually for
OpenAI offers speech-to-text and text-to-speech models through its API, including realtime voice support. API calls are billed by usage; ChatGPT voice features are part of ChatGPT plans instead.
Short answer: use OpenAI Audio API when you need transcribing audio and video files. It is a usage-based api + chatgpt subscription service from OpenAI; the official pricing source is linked below.
- Vendor
- OpenAI
- Category
- Speech / TTS
- Pricing model
- Usage-based API + ChatGPT subscription
- Free option
- No separate free API tier. ChatGPT plans include voice features with plan limits.
What OpenAI Audio API is used for
- Transcribing audio and video files
- Generating spoken narration from text
- Building realtime voice applications
Source: official product page and official documentation.
Who OpenAI Audio API is for
- Developers already using OpenAI models
- Apps that combine transcription, TTS, and chat
- Realtime voice prototypes
Source: official documentation.
Who it is not for
- Users who need a self-hosted speech model
- Buyers who want fixed monthly transcription quotas
Source: documented plans, limits, and deployment model on the official product page.
Pricing
- Speech-to-text and text-to-speech are billed by usage, with rates that depend on the model and input type.Source: openai.com
- ChatGPT voice is included in ChatGPT plans and is separate from API billing.Source: chatgpt.com
- Realtime and audio models are listed in the OpenAI API pricing documentation alongside text models.Source: platform.openai.com
The API and ChatGPT are billed separately. Check the official pricing page for current per-minute or per-token rates.
Full pricing page: https://openai.com/api/pricing/
Alternatives to OpenAI Audio API
- ElevenLabs — Text-to-speech, voice cloning, dubbing, music, and conversational voice agents.
- Deepgram — Speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and voice agent APIs with per-minute billing.
- AssemblyAI — Speech-to-text, audio intelligence, and voice agent APIs with per-hour pricing.
- Azure AI Speech — Enterprise speech-to-text, neural TTS, translation, and speaker recognition.
Official sources
OpenAI Audio API FAQ
Is the OpenAI Audio API free?
No separate free API tier is published. ChatGPT plans include voice features, but API calls are billed separately by usage.
What can the OpenAI Audio API do?
OpenAI documents speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and realtime audio workflows, including transcription and spoken responses.
Does ChatGPT voice use the API?
ChatGPT voice is a ChatGPT feature included in ChatGPT plans. It is not billed as API usage.