The best YouTube transcript APIs in 2026
There are three realistic ways to get YouTube transcripts into your product: a hosted API, or the open-source library plus proxies. Here is how the main options compare, including where Transkrio is not the best pick.
Disclosure: Transkrio is our product. Competitor details come from their public pricing pages and docs, checked on November 7, 2026. Prices change; check their sites before deciding. Something wrong? Write to [email protected] and we'll fix it.
Quick comparison
| Transkrio | Supadata | TranscriptAPI | youtube-transcript-api (library) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 100 credits | 100 requests / month | 100 credits | Free, open source |
| Entry plan | $9 / 3,000 | $5 / 300 (billed yearly) | $5 / 1,000 | Proxy costs only |
| ~3,000 / month | $9 ($3.00 / 1k) | $17 ($5.67 / 1k) | $5 + top-ups ($2.50 / 1k) | Proxies |
| ~15,000 / month | $29 ($1.93 / 1k) | $47 for 30,000 | Top-ups | Proxies |
| Platforms | YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, podcasts | YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, files | YouTube | YouTube |
| AI transcription (no captions) | Yes, 1 credit / minute | Yes, 2 credits / minute | Not offered | No |
| Podcasts (RSS, Apple) | Yes | Not listed | No | No |
| Failed requests | Free | Not stated | "1 credit = 1 successful request" | - |
| Unused credits | Roll over (up to 2x plan) | Don't roll over | Top-ups last 30+ days | - |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| No-code | n8n | n8n, Make, Zapier, Activepieces | Via HTTP | No |
Transkrio
Best for: AI apps and automations that mix YouTube with TikTok, Reels and podcasts, and anyone who wants predictable billing. Failed requests are free, unused credits roll over, and transcribing audio costs 1 credit per minute. Playlists, channels and 50-URL batches are built in. Weaker at: no X or Facebook support yet, n8n is the only native no-code integration, and it is a young product. See the API.
Supadata
Best for: teams that need the widest platform coverage (X, Facebook, file uploads) and integrations with Make and Zapier, or very high volume with high rate limits. Weaker at: credits don't roll over, AI transcription costs 2 credits per minute, and podcasts aren't listed. Transkrio vs Supadata.
TranscriptAPI
Best for: YouTube-only projects that need a small, cheap monthly plan and YouTube search. Weaker at: YouTube only, and no transcription for videos without captions. Transkrio vs TranscriptAPI.
youtube-transcript-api (Python library)
Best for: scripts on your own computer and research projects. It is excellent and free. Weaker at: running on servers, where YouTube blocks cloud IPs and you need rotating residential proxies, retries and monitoring. When to switch to an API.
How to choose
- Only YouTube, small volume, captions are enough: TranscriptAPI or Transkrio's free tier.
- YouTube plus TikTok, Reels or podcasts, or videos without captions: Transkrio.
- X and Facebook, or Make/Zapier as your main tool: Supadata.
- Running locally, one-off research: the open-source library.
The easiest way to decide is to try: Transkrio's free key has 100 credits, and the free web tool needs no account.