audio model comparison
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 vs MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming are both current audio models, from xAI and Microsoft AI. Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 is 81% cheaper per audio minute than MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming, $0.001667 vs $0.009. On Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming, Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 scores 2.79 % WER and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming 2.51 % WER (Artificial Analysis, measured November 3, 2026).
- Higher Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming
- MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming2.51 % WER against 2.79 % WER
- Lower price per audio minute
- Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0$0.001667 against $0.009
- Newer release
- MAI-Transcribe-2-StreamingOct 2026 against Sep 2026
Data verified November 3, 2026 · Dataset 2026-11-03
Side by side
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming, line by line
Prices in effect today, compared at the same tier wherever both list one. The better value in each row is highlighted.
| Fact | Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 | MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price per audio minute | $0.001667 (better) | $0.009 |
| Price per audio minute (streaming) | $0.003333 | Not listed |
| Independent benchmarks | ||
| Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming | 2.79 % WER (#2 of 3) | 2.51 % WER (#1 of 3) (better) |
| Artificial Analysis AA-WER v2 | 2.29 % WER (#4 of 7) | Not measured |
| Specs | ||
| Provider | xAI | Microsoft AI |
| Release date | September 18, 2026 | October 1, 2026 |
| Access | API only | API only |
| Context window | Not reported | Not reported |
| Max output | Not reported | Not reported |
| Input | audio | audio |
| Output | text | text |
Scores:Artificial Analysis · 2026-11-03Artificial Analysis · 2026-11-03
Charts
Against every current audio model
Where Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming land among the current models of their task, on every independent benchmark, on price and on context.
Where each stands
On Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming, Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 ranks #2 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming #1 of 3 current models. Each bar is the share of current models it beats: on score, price and context.
Independent benchmarks
Artificial Analysis AA-WER v2
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0:#4of 7
2.29% WER · ahead of 50%
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming: Not scored
Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0:#2of 3
2.79% WER · ahead of 50%
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming:#1of 3
2.51% WER · ahead of 100%
Price and context
Price per audio minute
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0:#1of 14
$0.001667 · cheaper than 92%
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming:#11of 14
$0.009 · cheaper than 15%
Cost
What each costs
Example workloads at each provider's listed rates, then every other rate either one lists. The cheaper figure in each row is highlighted.
The same work, priced
For 100 hours of audio, MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming costs 5.4 times as much as Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0, at each provider's listed rates.
100 hours of audio
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming costs 5.4× as much
- Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0
- $10
- MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming
- $54
| Workload or rate | Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 | MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Example workloads | ||
| 100 hours of audio | $10 (better) | $54 |
| 100 hours of audio (streaming) | $20 | Not listed |
Your own bill will differ. These figures use list prices and example workloads. The AI Model Cost Audit reviews your real usage, shortlists models that score as well for each task for less, and estimates the savings.
Launch price $100, regular price $150
Verdict
When to choose each
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0
Where it leads
- Lower price per audio minute, $0.001667 vs $0.009
- Supports speaker diarization
Best for
- Low-cost batch transcription
- Streaming transcription for voice apps
Watch out for
- xAI's per-model page leaves pricing blank; the rates come from its models table and launch post
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming
Where it leads
- Better Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming result, 2.51 % WER vs 2.79 % WER (lower is better)
Best for
- Live captions and voice agents
- Multilingual calls where speakers switch languages
Watch out for
- Microsoft Foundry lists it as a preview
- The $0.54 per hour price is introductory until the end of 2026, and the later price is not published
From benchmark to production
Building on Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 or MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming?
Public scores rarely hold on your own data. We test both models on your real tasks, then build the agent or pipeline around the one that wins.
AI Model Cost AuditLaunch price $100, regular price $150What the audit includes
FAQ
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 vs MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming FAQ
Which is cheaper, Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 or MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming?
Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 is 81% cheaper per audio minute than MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming, $0.001667 vs $0.009.
How much would 100 hours of audio cost with Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 or MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming?
100 hours of audio comes to $10 with Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and $54 with MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming at their listed rates.
Which scores higher on independent benchmarks, Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 or MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming?
MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming leads on Artificial Analysis AA-WER Streaming, 2.51 % WER to 2.79 % WER. Scores are independent evaluations, not either vendor's launch figures.
How do Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming differ in features?
Only Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 supports speaker diarization.
Further reading
More on Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming
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Production evaluation
Choosing between Grok Voice Transcribe 2.0 and MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming?
Public benchmarks narrow the shortlist. We run both on your own tasks, data and cost limits, then build the routing and review controls to run the winner in production.
- A head-to-head evaluation on your real workload
- Routing between models by cost and difficulty