AssemblyAI vs Vertex AI: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of AssemblyAI and Vertex AI. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: AssemblyAI starts at Custom pricing and Vertex AI starts at $2/mo. Compare all 14 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
AssemblyAI vs Vertex AI: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | AssemblyAI | Vertex AI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $2/mo |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 12 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
AssemblyAI and Vertex AI are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible AI & ML tools. Together they offer 14 pricing plans with 0 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
AssemblyAI stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your AI & ML needs.
| Pricing Plans |  AssemblyAI Try it free |  Vertex AI Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest | cached Custom pricing |
| Tier 2 | Pay as you go Custom pricing | $14 per 1,000 search queries $14/monthCheapest |
| Tier 3 | — | $14 per 1,000 queries $14/monthCheapest |
| Tier 4 | — | Gemini 2.0 Flash $2/monthCheapest |
| Tier 5 | — | $45 per 1,000 grounded prompts $45/monthCheapest |
| Tier 6 | — | $25 per 1,000 grounded prompts $25/monthCheapest |
| Tier 7 | — | Gemini Flash Custom pricing |
| Tier 8 | — | $35 per 1,000 grounded prompts $35/monthCheapest |
| Tier 9 | — | Model Custom pricing |
| Tier 10 | — | Open Source Model Custom pricing |
| Tier 11 | — | Duration Custom pricing |
| Tier 12 | — | $10 per 1000 searches $10/monthCheapest |
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AssemblyAI
AssemblyAI offers a free plan.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: AssemblyAI
Try AssemblyAI freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose AssemblyAI if:
- •You need a free plan with core features—AssemblyAI offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You prioritize AssemblyAI's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •AssemblyAI's usage-based pricing lets you match exact team size without tier gaps
Choose Vertex AI if:
- •You need 12 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You prioritize Vertex AI's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •Vertex AI's 12-tier usage-based structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
AssemblyAI offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Vertex AI requires paid subscription from the start. This gives AssemblyAI a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow AssemblyAI's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Vertex AI's tiering starting at $2/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. AssemblyAI's 2 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Vertex AI's 12 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, AssemblyAI is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: AssemblyAI vs Vertex AI
How many pricing plans does AssemblyAI have vs Vertex AI?
Does AssemblyAI or Vertex AI offer a free plan?
Does AssemblyAI or Vertex AI offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do AssemblyAI and Vertex AI compare for AI & ML?
Sources
- AssemblyAI Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Vertex AI Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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