Side-by-Side Comparison
DeepScript vs Happy Scribe — both EU, but own infrastructure instead of AWS
Happy Scribe is the obvious EU alternative — DeepScript goes one step further with own infrastructure, DACH dialects, and pay-per-use from €0.18/h.
Happy Scribe has been the best-known European transcription platform since 2017 — Barcelona/Paris, AWS EU regions, 120+ languages, hybrid model with machine and human editors. For GDPR compliance that's a much better choice than Otter or Sonix. If you want to go further (own hardware instead of AWS-EU, DACH dialect model, significantly cheaper pay-per-use), DeepScript fits. Happy Scribe is strong on subtitles + human transcription; DeepScript is strong on API + DACH audio.
Happy Scribe · founded 2017 · HQ ES/FR (EU)www.happyscribe.com
| Dimension | DeepScript | Happy Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Own GPUs, Hetzner Nuremberg | AWS EU regions |
| Price per hour (machine) | €0.18 (Standard) / €0.27 (Premium) | €12 pay-as-you-go |
| Languages | 99+ | 120+ |
| DACH dialect model | Premium tier | Standard German |
| Subtitle editor | SRT/VTT export | Native editor with preview |
| Human transcription | Not offered | Yes, from €1.50/min |
| REST API | OpenAPI 3.1 in all tiers | API on Business plans |
| MCP for AI agents | Pro tier | No |
| Live transcription | WebSocket streaming | No |
| GDPR | EU-to-EU DPA, own HW | EU DPA, AWS-EU subprocessor |
Pick DeepScript when ...
- You want GDPR without an AWS subprocessor — own hardware instead of a hyperscaler.
- You frequently work with DACH audio + dialects.
- You need the API on Standard tier (Happy Scribe requires Business).
- You transcribe regularly — the gap (€0.18 vs €12/hour) compounds fast.
- You use AI agents via MCP.
Pick Happy Scribe when ...
- You also need human transcription with quality assurance.
- Subtitle creation with a preview editor is your main use-case.
- You work with rare languages (Happy Scribe has 120 vs our 99).
Frequently asked questions
Both are EU — what's the practical GDPR difference?
Happy Scribe uses AWS EU regions (Frankfurt, Ireland). That makes AWS a subprocessor subject to the US CLOUD Act — US authorities can demand access to EU data in exceptional cases. DeepScript runs the hardware ourselves at Hetzner Nuremberg; no US company in the chain. For sensitive industries (legal, medical, public sector) that's a material difference.
Does DeepScript offer human transcription like Happy Scribe?
No. Our focus is AI transcription with top model quality. For court-grade transcripts with human final review, Happy Scribe is the right choice. If you want AI accuracy + GDPR + low price, DeepScript.
Why does DeepScript have 99 languages, not 120?
We actively train and validate each supported language — no long tail of poor-quality coverage. The 99 cover all EU languages, English variants, all DACH dialects, major Asian and Latin American languages. Happy Scribe's 120 include rare African and Asian languages where quality is often indicative rather than production-ready.
What about custom vocabulary?
Both offer vocabularies. DeepScript allows them per-transcription or saved per-account, free in all tiers. Happy Scribe gates glossaries behind the Business plan.
Try it yourself instead?
Three transcriptions free, no credit card. Data stays in Germany. Three minutes from sign-up to finished transcript.