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Connect ChatGPT to Speech is Cheap

This guide walks you through adding the Speech is Cheap MCP server to ChatGPT as a custom MCP server, saved as a plugin, so you can transcribe audio and video recordings in your conversations. The steps use ChatGPT on the web at chatgpt.com.

What You Need​

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • An eligible ChatGPT account: Custom MCP servers are supported on ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans, on the web only (not in mobile apps). On Business plans, only admins and owners can create and publish plugins for custom MCP servers. On Enterprise plans, the "Create plugins with MCPs" permission is off by default, so an admin must turn it on. ChatGPT Pro plans support custom MCP servers with read and fetch permissions only; Speech is Cheap's transcribe tool starts a job, which ChatGPT treats as a write action. See OpenAI's guide to plugins in ChatGPT for details.
  • A Speech is Cheap account with an active plan: Pick a plan on the Pricing page if you do not have an account. Your initial API key arrives by email.
  • A Speech is Cheap API key: Keys start with sk_. Create a dedicated API key in the Dashboard named "ChatGPT" so you can revoke it on its own. The dashboard displays keys only once. See the Dashboard guide for details.

Setup Steps​

Follow these steps to add Speech is Cheap as a custom MCP server and save it as a plugin in ChatGPT:

  1. Click your avatar in the bottom left corner.

  2. Click Settings.

  3. Click Plugins under Integrations on the left.

  4. Click Browse directory.

  5. Click Add, then Add custom MCP server in the top right.

  6. Fill out the form:

    • Icon: download logo (optional)
    • Name: Speech is Cheap
    • Description: Transcribe speech
    • Connection Type: Server URL
    • Connection: https://mcp.speechischeap.com/mcp

    Tick I understand and want to continue, then click Create as a plugin. (OpenAI warns that connecting to untrusted MCP servers can increase exposure to security risks, including prompt injection; that is what the checkbox acknowledges.)

  7. Click Connect Speech is Cheap.

  8. A Speech is Cheap page titled Connect ChatGPT to Speech is Cheap opens and shows that chatgpt.com is asking for access. Enter your API key in the field labeled Speech is Cheap API key and click Connect.

Test the Connection​

Start a new conversation in ChatGPT and test the integration with a sample recording:

Please transcribe this audio file using Speech is Cheap: https://cdn.speechischeap.com/podcast-sic-api-01.m4a

ChatGPT calls the Speech is Cheap MCP server to transcribe the audio and prints the resulting text.

Troubleshooting​

If you encounter issues during setup or while transcribing, check these common error messages:

  • The sign-in page stopped working The page expires after 10 minutes. Close it and start again from ChatGPT.
  • Speech is Cheap rejected that API key. (on the sign-in page) or Speech is Cheap rejected the API key. (in a conversation) The API key is invalid or has been revoked. Generate a new key in the Dashboard, remove the plugin in ChatGPT, and add it again with the new key.
  • That API key has no active plan… (on the sign-in page) or This API key has no active plan… (in a conversation) Your API key is recognized, but the account lacks an active subscription or billing method. Open the Dashboard and update your plan under the Billing section.
  • URL download errors In chat apps such as ChatGPT, the audio or video file must reside at a publicly accessible URL that downloads directly without requiring a login, session cookies, or interactive screens. See Input Requirements for supported media formats and URL rules.
  • Try again shortly messages These messages indicate temporary service or connection interruptions. Wait a few moments and resubmit your prompt.
  • Failed jobs If a transcription job fails, you are not charged. Only completed jobs bill against your account.
  • Missing or outdated tools If ChatGPT does not show Speech is Cheap's latest tools, open the plugin and click Refresh. See OpenAI's guide on connecting plugins in ChatGPT.

Disconnecting​

To disconnect Speech is Cheap from ChatGPT:

  • Navigate to your avatar in the bottom left corner, select Settings > Plugins under Integrations, locate Speech is Cheap, and remove the plugin.
  • Removing the plugin may not delete the API key the server stores for that connection. To cut off access everywhere at once, revoke the key in the Dashboard. Revocation can take a minute or more to apply across all systems.

Related Pages​