Deepgram Voice Agent API review

Deepgram's Voice Agent API is the most infrastructure-like option on this list, and it suits engineering teams that want to own the application and leave the speech loop to a vendor. One WebSocket takes audio in and returns audio out, while Deepgram runs end-of-turn detection, barge-in, function calling and conversation state. You can bring your own LLM through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or Bedrock with ordered fallback, use a third-party voice, and change the model or voice mid-conversation. Every turn returns a latency report split by speech-to-text, LLM, tool and text-to-speech time. Pricing is per minute of connection: $0.075 on pay as you go with a managed LLM included, as low as $0.050 when you bring your own model or voice, and $0.163 for the advanced model tier, with $200 in free credit to start. Teams with strict data rules can self-host on Kubernetes with a Helm chart. You still need your own call handling and phone numbers.

Who it is for

Engineering teams that want an API, their own LLM and a self-hosting option

Price

$200 free credit; pay as you go from $0.075 per minute including speech and a managed LLM; from $0.050 per minute with your own LLM or voice.

Pay-as-you-go starts at $0.075/min, and that rate covers speech-to-text, a managed language model, and text-to-speech, with no separate provider bills.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Single WebSocket for speech-to-text, LLM orchestration and text-to-speech
• End-of-turn detection, barge-in and function calling handled by the API
• Bring your own LLM through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or Bedrock, with ordered fallback
• Self-hosting on your own Kubernetes cluster with Deepgram's Helm chart
• Per-turn latency report broken down by speech, LLM, tool and voice time

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $200 free credit with no credit card required
• Strength: Rate drops to as low as $0.050 per minute with your own LLM or voice
• Strength: Global, EU, India and Australia endpoints
• Weakness: API-first product with no visual agent builder mentioned on the product page
• Weakness: No phone numbers or telephony rates are listed with the Voice Agent API price
• Weakness: BAAs for HIPAA are signed for Enterprise customers only

Key facts

• Standard rate: $0.075 per minute, pay as you go
• Advanced model tier: $0.163 per minute
• Free credit: $200, no credit card
• Organizations building on it: 1,000+, per Deepgram

Where it ranks

Deepgram Voice Agent API is No. 5 in our Best AI Voice Agent Platforms verdict.