BORIS

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Score7.2

Rank#2 of 33

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

BORIS is free, open-source software for coding video and audio and logging live observations. For media coding, it offers frame-by-frame navigation, playback speeds from 0.1× to 100×, and synchronized playback of up to eight files. Users can define unlimited behaviors, subjects, modifiers, and independent variables, with behaviors represented as state or point events. Analysis tools include Cohen’s Kappa inter-rater reliability, transition matrices, flow diagrams, time-budget analysis, and graphical displays of coded data. Results can be exported in formats such as CSV, TSV, XLSX, SQL, Pandas and R dataframes, Praat TextGrid, and JWatcher. BORIS can import JWatcher Global Definition Files and Noldus The Observer XT templates. Live event logging is available in the desktop program and Android app, though the Android app is marked beta for testing only. Data is stored in JSON, and download files are signed with GPG. The project warns that backward compatibility of project files is not guaranteed and recommends regular backups.

Who it is for

BORIS suits researchers and other users coding video or audio or recording live observations. Its analysis and export options may help users who need to examine and share coded event data.

What is good

Supports frame-by-frame navigation and adjustable playback speed
Can synchronize playback of up to eight media files
Provides multiple analysis tools for coded data
Exports to a broad range of formats
Free and open-source under GNU GPL v.3

What to know first

Android app version 0.13 is marked beta for testing only
Backward compatibility of project files is not guaranteed
Project files should be backed up regularly

Verdict

BORIS brings media coding, live logging, analysis, and export tools together in a free desktop application. Users should account for the Android app’s beta status and the project-file compatibility warning.

BORIS plans and pricing

All plans

BORIS Free Free and open-source software · distributed under GNU GPL v.3 boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on video annotation software

Free plan: Yesboris.unito.it
Frame-accurate marking: Yesboris.unito.it
Drawing annotations: Yesboris.unito.it
Custom labels or fields: Yesboris.unito.it
Dataset export: Yesboris.unito.it

Facts

Purpose: BORIS is event-logging software for video and audio coding and live observations.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Video and audio coding: It supports playback speeds from 0.1× to 100×, synchronous playback of up to eight media files, and frame-by-frame navigation.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Live observations: Live event logging is available in the desktop program and in the Android app.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Coding structure: Users can define unlimited behaviors, subjects, modifiers, and independent variables; behaviors can be state events or point events.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Analysis: Features include Cohen’s Kappa inter-rater reliability, transition matrices, flow diagrams, time-budget analysis, and graphical representation of coded data.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Exports: Coded events can be exported as TSV, CSV, HTML, ODS, XLSX, XLS, Pandas and R dataframes, SQL, SDIS, Praat TextGrid, behavioral strings, and JWatcher formats.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Interoperability: BORIS supports importing JWatcher Global Definition Files and Noldus The Observer XT OTX/OTB templates.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Platforms: The download page lists GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi 4, Chromebook, VirtualBox, Docker, and Linux Python Package Index installation options.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Android app: The Android app is designed for live observations, and its current version is 0.13, marked as beta for testing only.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Security and integrity: The download page says all files are signed with GPG and provides a PGP public key for integrity verification.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Data handling: BORIS uses JSON, described as an open format for storing data to support further analysis.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The site provides a user guide, video tutorials and workshops, an FAQ, a user forum, and channels for bug reports and feature requests.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Limitations: The project warns that backward compatibility of BORIS project files is not guaranteed and recommends regularly backing up project files.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026
Audience: The site describes BORIS as software for video/audio coding and live observations and asks users to cite it when disseminating results in publications.boris.unito.it · 29 Sept 2026