Kaption AI started as a simple WhatsApp bot, allowing users to send audio files and receive transcriptions instantly. While the bot gained popularity quickly, it became clear that our business model was too expensive to sustain. Running costly infrastructure and competing with many similar bots made it difficult to stand out. That’s when we decided to pivot from a bot to a browser extension. An extension not only aligned better with our business goals, but it also offered a more distinctive value proposition with an exceptional UI/UX that is much harder to replicate.
From Bots to Extensions and Beyond
With our extension, we brought transcription and audio summarization directly to users’ workflows. The pivot allowed us to optimize our infrastructure and build a scalable business model. By running Whisper, an open-source speech-to-text model, on our own infrastructure, we reduced costs significantly. This efficiency became key as we scaled to processing millions of audios per month.
From Transcriptions to Summaries
We didn’t stop at transcriptions. We added audio and chat summarizations, enabling users to extract key points effortlessly. Small businesses, in particular, benefit from Kaption AI, using it to create meeting notes, process inquiries, and save time.
Keeping It Accessible
Our new pricing models were another growth driver. By charging businesses for premium features, we enabled free users to transcribe up to 15 audios per day and 50 per week. This balance allows us to serve casual users while helping small businesses with high-quality solutions better than WhatsApp’s offerings.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, we’re working on a native Windows desktop version to serve professionals and expanding beyond WhatsApp. On iOS, we aim to deliver transcription tools that surpass existing options. Our commitment to speed and reliability will remain the cornerstone of everything we do, even as we explore new platforms and features.
Growing to 20k users was just the beginning. Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and expand Kaption AI in 2025!