Our Guide to Descript API’s Pricing: Plans, Limits, and Best Alternative

Quick Summary

This article explains Descript API pricing, plan limits, and trade-offs, highlighting what it can and cannot do. It also compares Descript to Cleanvoice’s full audio editing API, which offers predictable pricing and scalable automation to help production teams streamline workflows and manage audio editing efficiently. For more tips on Descript API and alternatives, check out the Cleanvoice blog.

Wondering If Descript’s API Pricing is Right for Your Use Case?

Pricing shapes how teams build with audio tools. Descript API pricing looks simple at first, but limits and scope matter fast. Its API focuses on file import and export, not full audio editing. That gap affects costs, workflows, and long-term flexibility.

In this Cleanvoice guide, we explain Descript API pricing clearly, with its pros and cons.

Why Listen to Us?

At Cleanvoice, we remove background noise, filler words, mouth sounds, and long pauses with AI, while also providing transcription and summaries to speed up editing work. Our simple tool is used by 15,000+ podcasters and 30+ brands to cut editing time and improve clarity. Users report that our tool saves hours in post-production and handles multiple languages with ease.

What Is Descript API?

Descript API is a developer interface that lets developers generate import URLs to bring media into Descript for editing, but it does not provide fully programmatic editing, export, or asset automation endpoints as a standalone service.

Its scope is mainly to upload/redirect into Descript projects rather than perform complete API‑driven editing workflows.

Key Features

• Edit in Descript API: Generates import URLs so users can upload audio and video into Descript projects programmatically.
• Authentication: Uses personal tokens to secure API requests.
• Import automation: Sends content to Descript without manual uploads.
• Import URL expiry handling: Supports generating fresh import URLs when old ones expire.
• Workflow redirect: Redirects users to Descript once assets are ready for editing.

Descript API Pricing Structure

Descript’s core platform has a tiered subscription model that developers must join if they want API access. API access is tied directly to Descript’s regular platform plans, so no standalone API pricing is available outside of these tiers.

Descript’s pricing structure includes:

• Free ($0/month) — basic editing tools and limited monthly media usage.
• Hobbyist ($24 per person/month) — expanded media processing and basic AI features.
• Creator ($35 per person/month) — higher media minutes and full AI tool access.
• Business ($65 per person/month) — team features and priority support.
• Enterprise (custom) — tailored pricing for larger organizations.

Note: There is no separate free trial for the API, and access requires joining a Descript plan and obtaining a token. Exact limits, transcription hours, and AI credits may vary by billing cycle or region.

Descript API Plan Breakdown

Free

This plan is for beginners who want to try basic editing and AI tools without cost. It lets you test transcription and exports before upgrading.

Usage:

• 1 media hour/month
• 720p export with watermarks

Editing & AI features:

• Basic editing tools (cut, trim, text-based edit)
• Limited trial use of basic AI tools

Export & workflow:

• Watermarked exports only

Hobbyist

Made for solo creators ready for regular content work with higher limits and watermark-free exports.

Usage:

• 10 media hours/month

Editing & AI features:

• 400 AI credits per editor/month
• AI speech available
• 25+ stock AI speakers

Export & workflow:

• 1080p export without watermarks

Creator

Designed for frequent creators who want advanced tools and expanded limits.

Usage:

• 30 media hours/month

Editing & AI features:

• 800 AI credits per editor/month
• AI speech available 
• 25+ stock AI speakers

Export & workflow:

• 4K export without watermarks

Business

For teams and production workflows needing collaboration and priority support.

Usage:

• 40 media hours/month

Editing & AI features:

• 1500 AI credits per editor/month
• AI speech available
• 60+ stock AI speakers

Export & workflow:

• Priority support and team workflows

Enterprise

Custom pricing for large organizations with tailored needs. Features include advanced security, custom support, and unlimited access negotiated per contract.

Descript API Pricing Table

Feature / Plan	Free	Hobbyist	Creator	Business	Enterprise
Price	$0/mo	$24 per person/mo (monthly)	$35 per person/mo (monthly)	$65 per person/mo (monthly)	Custom
Transcription hours/month	1	10	30	40	Not specified
Watermark-free export	–	✓	✓	✓	✓
Video export resolution	720p	1080p	4K	4K	Not specified
AI credits/month	Limited	400	800	1500	Not specified
Stock AI speakers	Limited	25+	25+	60+	Not specified
Advanced AI (Eye contact, etc)	–	–	✓	✓	✓
Team collaboration features	–	–	–	✓	✓
Priority support	–	–	–	✓	✓

Note: Usage limits, transcription hours, AI credits, and feature availability may vary by billing cycle, region, or plan updates. Also, advanced AI features consume credits from the plan’s monthly AI credit pool rather than being unlimited by default.

Descript API Pricing Pros and Cons

Pros

• Clear entry-level pricing with low commitment
• Monthly plans available without annual lock-in
• 4K export included from the Creator tier and above
• Unlimited AI tool use starts on Creator tier

Cons

• Unused AI credits don’t roll over
• Free plan includes watermark on all exports
• Advanced features are only available on higher tiers
• API access lacks transparent pricing or documentation
• Team collaboration only starts on Business plan

Best Descript API Alternative: Cleanvoice API

Cleanvoice API offers a REST interface that automates audio and video editing tasks normally done manually. It accepts audio or video files via upload or public URL, processes them with Cleanvoice’s editing engine, and returns cleaned results in multiple export formats.

Developers can call a single API to get cleaned audio, studio‑like enhancements, text transcription, structured summaries, timestamps, and social previews without stitching multiple tools together.

Unlike editing APIs that only handle import/export, Cleanvoice API enables full automated cleanup in a single integration. The API workflow lets developers upload, configure processing options, monitor jobs, and retrieve results programmatically with minimal setup.

It also integrates with Make.com, allowing users to automate audio cleanup workflows without manual steps. This Make integration lets teams route files from other tools directly into Cleanvoice, process them automatically, and send results back into their systems, saving time on repetitive editing tasks.

Key Features

• Comprehensive editing control: Removes noise, fillers, stutters, and silence without manual work. It also lets you choose enhancement options like studio sound, normalization, and music preservation.
• Transcription and summary export: Generates text transcriptions and concise summaries directly from the processed audio.
• Auto-generated API key onboarding: Developers can auto-generate their API key during the onboarding process with a single click, removing any manual setup hassle.
• Multi-format export: Provides processed audio, transcription, timestamps, social content optimization, and video exports suitable for downstream systems.
• Language support: Works with multiple languages in audio content.
• Playground + ready code snippets: The API playground shows interactive controls for processing options and gives copy‑paste client code for rapid prototyping and testing.
• Simple API flow: Upload → Process → Monitor → Retrieve results, all with predictable endpoints and clear responses.

Cleanvoice API Pricing Structure

Our pricing model is simple and predictable, without complex usage tiers or hidden feature charges. You pay based on processed audio time using clear credit bundles and subscription plans that roll over unused hours.

In general, our plans include:

• Free trial (30 minutes, no credit card required) — try features before buying.
• Pay-as-You-Go
• Subscription
• Custom plan (200+ hours, API access, custom pricing) — contact sales.

Unused subscription credits can roll over up to three times the plan limit.

Cleanvoice Plan Breakdown

Free trial

The Cleanvoice API includes a 30-minute free credit, allowing developers to test API workflows with no credit card required.

Usage:

• Audio credit: 30 minutes free credit.

Editing & AI features:

• Full feature access (noise removal, fillers, deadair, mouth/breath removal, Studio Sound).

Collaboration/workflow:

• No team features—trial only. Credits apply once.

Pay-as-you-go

For occasional editors or one-off projects who do not want a monthly commitment. Credits last 2 years before expiration.

Usage:

• 5 hours ($11) — $2.20/hour
• 10 hours ($20) — $2.00/hour
• 30 hours ($45) — $1.50/hour

Editing & AI features:

• All editing features are enabled; pricing is only based on hours.

Collaboration/workflow:

• No team or priority support included; credits are single-user.

API usage follows the same hourly pricing model above, with rates decreasing as usage volume increases.

Subscription

For regular users who need consistent monthly editing time. Unused hours roll over up to three times the plan limit.

Usage:

• 10 hours ($11/month) — $1.10/hour
• 30 hours ($30/month) — $1.00/hour
• 100 hours ($90/month) — $0.90/hour

Editing & AI features:

• Same feature set across all subscription sizes; larger plans reduce effective per-hour cost.

Collaboration/workflow:

• No separate team seats; credits apply to the subscribing account.

API usage follows the same hourly pricing model above, with rates decreasing as usage volume increases.

Custom Plan

For high-volume users and businesses needing heavy editing and integration. Pricing for the custom plan is tailored to each enterprise, and exact rates are negotiated based on the number of hours processed and required API integrations.

Usage:

• 200+ hours/month with custom tiering.

Editing & AI features:

• Includes API access and priority support.

Collaboration/workflow:

• Tailored support and enterprise billing options.

Cleanvoice Pricing Table

Feature / Plan	Free trial	Pay-as-you-go	Subscription	Custom plan
Price	Free	$11–$45 (credits)	$11–$90/mo	Custom pricing
Audio credits valid	Trial only	2 years	Monthly w/ rollover	Not specified
5 hrs processed audio	–	$11 ($2.20/hr)	–	–
10 hrs processed audio	–	$20 ($2.00/hr)	$11 ($1.10/hr)	–
30 hrs processed audio	–	$45 ($1.50/hr)	$30 ($1.00/hr)	–
100 hrs processed audio	–	–	$90 ($0.90/hr)	–
200+ hrs / month	–	–	–	Custom
All editing features	✓	✓	✓	✓
Unused credits rollover	–	–	✓ (up to 3x limit)	Not specified
Priority support	–	–	–	✓
Custom API endpoints	–	–	–	✓

Cleanvoice Pricing Pros and Cons

Pros

• Clear hourly pricing across all plans
• Free trial with no credit card required
• Credits don’t expire for 2 years (Pay‑as‑you‑go)
• Subscription rollover up to 3x monthly limit
• Simple pricing structure focused on hours processed rather than per‑feature billing.

Cons

• API access is only available on the custom plan

Clean Up Your Audio Easily With Cleanvoice API

Descript API supports mainly file import and export, but limitations arise for automated editing workflows, transcription, and summary outputs. Cleanvoice API addresses this with enhanced audio editing, integrated transcription, and structured summaries in one automated call.

At Cleanvoice, our API is built for full audio cleanup, predictable pricing by hours, and direct automation without hidden feature gates. This makes it easier to scale real production workflows.

Sign up at Cleanvoice today to build cleaner audio pipelines and connect with creators who value speed, clarity, and control.