How to Use Cloud Transcription With Your Own API Key

ScribeForge's default and primary workflow is 100% local transcription with Whisper — see offline transcription for why that matters. But for situations where you specifically want a cloud provider — comparing results, or using a provider's specialised model — ScribeForge supports bring-your-own-key (BYOK) cloud transcription too.

Supported providers

You can connect your own API key for OpenAI, Deepgram, or Groq. ScribeForge sends the request using your key and your account — there's no ScribeForge-operated server or markup in between.

Setting it up

1. Open Settings → Cloud transcription.
2. Choose a provider and paste in your own API key.
3. Use the built-in test option to confirm the key works before relying on it.
4. On the Transcribe screen, switch the engine from "local Whisper" to your configured cloud provider for that specific job.

Why you might use this

• Comparing accuracy between Whisper and a cloud provider on the same file
• Using a provider-specific feature you rely on elsewhere in your workflow
• Offloading transcription to the cloud on a machine that's otherwise too slow for large local models

This is a Pro feature

Cloud transcription (BYOK) is included on paid plans. You always pay your cloud provider directly for usage under this option — it's separate from your ScribeForge plan cost.