Evaluating STT APIs: ask what breaks when it's wrong, not which is best

Less-Ad4261 · reddit · 2026-09-03

The author argues "best STT API?" is the wrong question because error costs are unequal: a wrong filler word is fine, a wrong phone number loses the user. They lay out a scenario-based evaluation framework: batch transcription (final quality on long audio, formatting, cost), live voice UI (first usable text, p95 latency), agent flows (partial vs final handling to avoid wrong actions), support calls (timestamps, speaker turns), sensitive workflows (redaction), and CRM/action systems (entity accuracy, confirmation). Ends with a promo for Smallest AI Pulse, but the framework itself is the real value.

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